How often is calibration necessary?

To get correct measurements in the long term, the test equipment used has to be monitored regularly and calibrated, if appropriate. The time between such calibration treatments is called the calibration interval. We frequently receive questions about the necessary calibration interval for measurement and test equipment.

However, there is no unambiguous answer to this question, since a device's state of calibration is dynamic and depends upon the following factors, to name a few: the input quantity and its permissible tolerances, wear and tear on the equipment, stability of previous calibration procedures, measurement precision required and last but not least a company's quality assurance system policies.

As a matter of principle, a calibration is valid only at the moment it is performed. Setting deadlines for re-calibration is the responsibility of the equipment user. As a rule, the calibration interval should be designed to optimize the balance between risks and costs.

This means that the calibration interval is ultimately the user's own responsibility to determine and monitor. Our recommendation is from 1 up to 3 years. In order to support our customers in determining the calibration interval, we offer consultation from our employees. Our standard statement in our spec sheets is for 1 year.