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Fluke Calibration Blog
Calibration Equipment & Standards and Calibration Software
Jul 11, 2019
Dry-block calibrators vs. temperature baths: (left) portable temperature bath, (middle) hand-held dry-block calibrator, (right) standard temperature bath
Temperature sensors are typically calibrated by placing them in a stable temperature source and comparing their output to the output of a calibrated reference. Two common sources are dry-block calibrators and temperature baths, but which is right for you? Let’s start our dry-block calibrator vs. temperature bath analysis by defining each....
Jul 10, 2019
We’re proud to feature this interview with one of our team members who helps customers move forward with Fluke Calibration. Looking for help with a Department of Defense calibration lab? Contact Joe Baker at 425-446-6388.
Joe Baker Demonstrating Calibration Equipment at MSC as Part of His Metrology Career
The school required a commitment of 14 months enrollment, plus extending his military service from four to six years. Joe signed up without quite knowing what he was getting into. “It just...
May 15, 2019
Choosing a calibration management software application requires careful investigation. Here’s a checklist of criteria to keep in mind.
Does the calibration management software automate your calibrators?
Does it automate your devices under test?
Are calibration procedures available or can you create them easily?
Does the manufacturer offer training?
Does the manufacturer offer support? What kinds of support?
Telephone
Knowledge base
User groups
Bulletin boards/user forums
Does the...
May 15, 2019
If you’ve purchased instruments from a calibration equipment manufacturer, you know that the equipment is highly technical and can cost a pretty penny. Because of the investment, it’s wise to evaluate your equipment manufacturer to make sure you get the best return.
Before you buy, consider how a manufacturer performs in the following 10 criteria:
10 Criteria to Consider When Purchasing a Calibrator from a Calibration Equipment Manufacturer
Quality. Good return on investment (ROI) and...
Apr 17, 2019
RF and microwave calibration is one of the most complex areas of metrology, with many opportunities for human and measurement errors. Here are the top 5 sources of error:
Mismatch errors. Mismatch errors are one of the most significant contributors to errors and uncertainties in RF and microwave calibration. Mismatch error depends on the source and load match. The quality of the source and load match contributes to the mismatch error. Avoid introducing excessive mismatches by using worn or...
Apr 17, 2019
The best/proper method to clean your infrared calibrator target
The black body paint on the target of your infrared calibrator is very delicate. To remove the dust or debris from the paint, the only thing you can do is use compressed dry air. The dry air must have no oil and no water in the line or hose. Use a filter on an air hose to remove the oil and an air dryer to remove the water. Have the compressed air set to about 100 psi.
Some items like compressed air in a can will contain a...
Apr 17, 2019
What to consider when bringing pressure calibration in house
If you outsource or turn away pressure calibration business, you may be considering adding this capability to your lab. Here are the top three areas of concern when looking to bring pressure calibration in house.
1. Training
Modern pressure standards are more intuitive and many pressure controllers can be automated with software to make calibrations easy and repeatable with modest training.
2. Equipment
There are vast options for...
Apr 16, 2019
How to determine the pressure calibration equipment you need
There are thousands of different pressure measuring devices. How can you decide which instruments to invest in to calibrate them? When you are considering the purchase of pressure calibration equipment, start by taking these two steps:
Compare specifications of the device under test (DUT) and the pressure calibrator. Gauges, transmitters, transducers, and similar pressure measurement devices have specifications that describe...
Apr 16, 2019
If you are calibrating a medium to high accuracy RTD, you will probably use the characterization method of calibration. Characterization is the type of calibration in which the device under test (DUT) resistance is determined at several temperature points and the data are fitted to a mathematical expression.
To calibrate an RTD, perform these steps:
Place the reference probe and the DUTs in the temperature source. Make sure they are all placed as close together as possible, in a radial...
Apr 15, 2019
What knocks a digital instrument “out of calibration?”
Three common causes of calibration problems are:
Component shift. First, the major components of test instruments (for example, voltage references, input dividers, current shunts) can simply shift over time. This shifting is minor and usually harmless if you keep a good calibration schedule; this shifting is typically what calibration finds and corrects.
Drops. Suppose you drop a current clamp — hard. How do you know that clamp will...