To be an expert in instrument calibration in San Francisco, you need to understand some terms. This article looks at some essential terminologies in calibration, helping you read and understand calibration while improving your trade. Let’s get into it.
Important terms in Instrument Calibration Here are the most important terms used in calibration. Accuracy It is the degree to which a measurement conforms to a standard value. It is traceable to national or international standards, with room for nonlinearities and uncertainties. There are different types of accuracy, namely:
Resolution It is the slightest measurable change that a sensor can display. A high resolution indicates the slightest displayable change, hence high resolution. High-resolution sensors can display millimeters, which is more accurate. Small-resolution sensors can display whole centimeters, which is less accurate. Accreditation Accreditation is the process of independent agencies verifying the technical capability and quality system of a calibration lab. Popular accreditations include ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025. Test conditions These facts and assumptions describe the instrument, environment, and measured sample. It comprises frequency, humidity, power, temperature, and others. Conditions help experts predict the outcome of an experiment or work at hand. Repeatability Repeatability measures how close a result is relative to other measurements by the same device under the same conditions. Both short- and long-term repeatability are essential. As such, if you place a weight of 100g on a scale five times, the scale should indicate 100g each time. Traceability It is the process of tracing a measurement from the source it has been derived, for example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, the measuring equipment is not traceable. Only the measurement result is traceable to a specific standard. Full scale (FS)The full scale is the maximum deviation from zero. For example, in a range of -2 to +2, the full scale is 2. Instruments quote precision as a percentage of full scale or span. If the precision is cited as a percentage of span, the same error will be smaller than if quoted as a percentage of full scale (FS). For example, if the error is +/-1 mbar and the unit range is -1 bar to +1 bar, the error as a percentage of full scale is 0.1%, while the span is 0.05%. Capacitance Capacitance is the ability of an instrument to store electrical charge. As you’d expect, most instruments have a degree of capacitance. Capacitors take enormous energy and time to charge, reducing the time it takes a sensor to turn on or off. Limits of the permissible error It is the maximum value of error that a manufacturer, regulator, and other agencies permit for a measuring instrument. Differential pressure sensor A differential pressure sensor measures the pressure difference between two points connected on either end of the sensor. A2LAAmerican Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) is a non-profit organization accrediting calibration and testing laboratories. Calibration certificate It is a report that contains an instrument’s calibration information. It shows the quality and measurement accuracy of the said device. The certificate is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. It contains customer details, the certificate’s identification code, and the name. Calibration frequency It is a preset time interval at which lab instruments are calibrated. Factors such as environmental conditions and instrument usage affect calibration frequency. It should be increased if:
Best straight line (BSL)It is the process of producing a straight line between different data points. Instead of joining the first to the last point, the technique uses all data points. The position of the line of best fit is calculated by minimizing the sum of squares of all the errors, expressed as a percentage of the full-scale value. Importance of calibration Improves production efficiency An efficient production process ought to be error-free, and one way to do it is to calibrate your equipment. Lack of proper calibration can cause you to produce substandard products, leading to fines or closure. On the other hand, producing more than enough can lead to wastage, reducing your profit margin. Calibrating your equipment ensures you make the right amount of products using the right ingredients or components. Enables you to stay compliant Whether you are in the food or pharmaceutical industry, there exist regulations you ought to comply with. Some of the most popular regulatory bodies include Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And to ensure you comply with their regulations, you must use equipment with proper calibration. It also improves the safety of the consumer. The FDA might check to see if a drug-producing company is using the right chemicals. EPA deals with emissions regulations; to comply; you need equipment that can accurately measure emissions. Improves safety Calibration allows you to achieve precise measurements, which are crucial in most production systems. Companies producing hypersensitive products such as batteries and phones require actual calibration equipment to protect their employees from fatal accidents. It also ensures the final products are safe for use under different conditions. Increases return on investment (ROI) Regardless of your industry, calibration can either break or build your company. For example, if you heat water to produce products, you could use billions of gallons per year. Electricity bills can skyrocket with incorrect calibration of your thermometers, leading to more losses than profits. Proper calibration will help improve production, save costs, and increase profitability. Biotechnical Services can calibrate your equipment professionally so you can increase your profit margins. Improve customer satisfaction If your production is inconsistent, your San Francisco customers will likely buy from your competitors. It does hurt not only your revenue but also the reputation of your company. To maintain consistency and keep customers satisfied, you need to use the same amount of ingredients and production system. And to achieve this, you need accurate equipment calibration. Minimize downtime Inaccurate calibration not only ruins products and damages equipment. And in case of equipment breakdown, you are sure to experience downtime. You should consult an instrument calibration company in San Francisco to prevent this. They can help identify problems and offer solutions. Best practices for instrument calibration in San Francisco To avoid unforeseen disruption and losses, you should observe the following instrument calibration practices. Be proactive Avoid waiting for the predetermined time to calibrate. Most companies will conduct calibration once or twice a year, which is ideal for most instruments. However, critical safety devices should be calibrated regularly may be quarterly. A perfect example is gas detectors. They play a crucial role in the safety of a plant, and should there be a slight drift in their calibration, it might lead to explosions. Random calibration outside the annual schedule can help technicians identify and correct defects, saving companies from huge losses. Monitor sensors regularly Most companies in San Francisco will set their sensors and forget to monitor them periodically. While sensors are reliable, many factors and variables can hinder their effectiveness. As such, we recommend regular monitoring to identify and correct calibration issues. Document your calibration efforts To remain compliant with regulations, you need to document any calibration efforts. With correct labeling, regulatory bodies will certify and verify your company. Consult an expert If you don’t have in-house experts, you should consider consulting instrument calibration companies in San Francisco. They check every instrument, ensuring proper calibration. Biotechnical Services offers instrument calibration in San Francisco and adjacent counties. We are an accredited company with over 20 years of experience, serving different industries such as pharmaceutical, food and beverage, aerospace, and others. Call us for professional instrument calibration in San Francisco. Original Source: https://www.biotechserv.com/important-terms-in-calibration-you-should-know-as-a-newbie/
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One of the most used services is lab equipment calibration in San Francisco. While it’s one of our most used services, we still get asked why it’s essential and if it’s something my lab will benefit from. All labs, regardless of size or industry, need calibration of their lab equipment. Here at Biotechnical Services, Inc. (BTS), our calibrations are full-service ISO 17025 A2LA Accredited and ISO 9001:2015 AMS Certified.
What is calibration? Calibration is the process of measuring an instrument to provide samples that sit within a range. The process minimizes excluding factors that cause inaccurate measurements of the fundamental design. BTS provides lab equipment calibration in San Francisco. Additionally, we offer this service in San Diego and Los Angeles. If you cannot reach one of these locations, we offer a lab depot service for those smaller labs using our environmentally controlled in-house calibration lab. Should you complete lab equipment calibration in-house or outsource? The answer to this depends on how you use your lab equipment. The process of lab equipment calibration is sensitive and takes conscious time and effort. Attempting to complete this in-house can lead to mistakes, thus leading to product failures or inaccurate formulas being created. In addition, establishing and purchasing calibration equipment on top of a labs existing cost significantly impacts the company’s budget. While you could have your employees undergo training, various pieces of large calibration equipment are used for various lab equipment. BTS has all of this taken care of for you. We understand the overall cost of both money and time to train employees to know how each calibration equipment works and how to operate them effectively. When you outsource your lab equipment calibration to us, you’ll know it’s coming back to you with accurate results. We supply you with the correct documentation you need for audits after the calibration is completed to ensure you’re within the proper guidelines. Why is it important? Calibration is essential for all labs and industries. It ensures that lab equipment is maintained and accurate. Like all equipment, lab equipment wears down over time, making the accuracy lenient and showing a result of less or more than the correct result. The use of the material is also affected by this. For example, using measuring instruments in a hazardous environment can cause them to become eroded or degraded over time. Accurate measuring overall is key to creating any product and using tools correctly. Below are some of the most important reasons you should calibrate your lab equipment frequently. Ensure you meet industry standards and compliance We service a variety of industries and with each is a set of industry standards and compliance measures. These measures are put in place to ensure safety and regulation. If measuring instruments are not calibrated correctly, it can often lead to incorrect measurements affecting these regulations. Once we’ve completed your lab equipment calibration, we will provide you with complete documentation providing proof of the tests and also provide you with documents you need in the case of a company audit. Cost When you calibrate your lab equipment frequently, you avoid making expensive mistakes. The initial investment of lab equipment alone is costly, so we understand that cost is a factor when deciding where to calibrate your lab equipment. However, choosing a lower-cost provider may leave you with inaccurate results. Some businesses will operate purely based on creating a profit margin. The less time they spend calibrating a piece of equipment, the more they can churn. In addition to this, when you’re going through the process of measuring ingredients out, everything should be accurate. If not, this can cause the need to create an entirely new batch, leaving you with a loss of usable ingredients. We have over 31 years and only use comprehensive procedures to achieve calibration stands. Having your lab equipment frequently calibrated, while it is an initial investment, will save you money in the long run. Get in touch with us to evaluate costs for lab equipment calibration in San Francisco. Safety of both those in the lab and customers We service various industries by providing lab equipment calibration to the San Francisco area. These vary from medical to food. While some industries rely more heavily on data to ensure the safety of a final product, the majority must provide the correct measurements to protect the final product and employees working in the lab. These small changes can potentially have an adverse chemical reaction, putting lab employees in harm’s way. Fix it before it breaks Wear and tear will affect all lab material and equipment over time. Occasionally what happens is small breaks occur without users even noticing. Having your lab equipment calibrated frequently allows for a routine check of the equipment, ensuring no cracks or damages have gone unnoticed. This also gives your lab equipment a chance for longevity. Routinely calibrating equipment allows you to fix any minor breaks, getting to fix the equipment before it gets to a breaking point. Some cracks in equipment are more minor than others, leaving the decision between replacing or repairing. Data Integrity As we mentioned, we work with clients in various fields, all of which need and rely on the accuracy of their lab equipment—ensuring that the number or quantity reflected on the piece of equipment is integral for accuracy. Calibration gives you and your lab peace of mind that the information being reflected is accurate. Reduce downtime of equipment Leaving your calibration of lab equipment to the last minute, or taking larger breaks in-between than you should, can lead to a lab with equipment that’s out of action or inaccurate. Having your lab equipment calibrated regularly in the San Francisco area allows for more time spent working on projects rather than sitting and waiting for equipment to be returned. How frequently should you calibrate your measuring instruments? This depends on a few variables, such as how frequently you use the equipment and what it’s used for. Depending on how the equipment is used, there can be events that affect the overall accuracy of the equipment, such as an electric shock. After an event such as an electric shock has taken place, the equipment involved should be calibrated immediately. For equipment that isn’t affected by any significant events, we recommend getting your lab equipment calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions or if you’re using it regularly every 3 to 6 months. A spreadsheet or document is an excellent way to keep track of when your equipment needs to be calibrated. This way, you can have equipment calibrated at regular intervals and know when the equipment is due for its next calibration. Conclusion Lab equipment calibration is integral for all labs and the use of lab equipment. It improves the equipment’s accuracy and ensures that it is in good working condition. Here at Biotechnical Services Inc., we calibrate your equipment and provide you with a full calibration report verifying the tests, ensuring you have all the correct documentation for needed audits. In addition to lab equipment calibration, we also offer thermometer calibration, lab equipment repair, validation, and much more. We offer precise and accurate lab equipment calibration, ensuring you and your lab get the correct results. If you have any questions about specialty equipment or how we can help to calibrate your lab equipment in San Francisco, get in touch. Original Source: https://www.biotechserv.com/why-calibration-is-required-for-measuring-instruments/ |
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