SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING A CALIBRATION SUPPLIER
I
ndustrial calibration services are widely available, from suppliers both big and small, but what should buyers look for when choosing a calibration partner? Matt Gypps, Deputy UK Technical Manager at Trescal, offers 10 tips.
1: Do your own research
Calibration services can be sourced in many ways, from word of mouth through to the internet, but the common denominator in determining the choice of a calibration supplier should always be your own research. Don’t take at face value what you see on a website, get out from behind your desk and go to visit your potential supplier’s laboratory. A professional website is no guarantee of competence, because it could contain stock images and in reality be a single engineer operating out of a garage. Calibration buyers need to see the evidence with their own eyes.
2: Ask for example certificates
A large percentage of purchasers who source calibration services are non technical, which means it is easy for them to be misled about the robustness of the certification being offered. When calibrating a thermometer, for example, it is not acceptable to measure only one or two points – multiple points need to be measured along the scale. Good laboratories will offer multiple points as standard but will also work with the customer to help them determine if additional points are needed for their particular application.
3: Take a closer look at the uncertainty of measurement
In order to prove the compliance of a customer’s equipment, the measurement
needs to be more accurate that the equipment under test. This is known as the test uncertainty ratio (TUR). As the accuracy of test equipment improves with advances in technology, the accuracy of calibration equipment required has to improve to maintain the required ratio. This equipment can be very expensive and may not be cost effective for some calibration companies to purchase. Using older, less accurate equipment may result in a poor TUR at which point the calibration company should discuss this matter with the customer. Ensure that uncertainties are included on the certificate and they are appropriate for the item that has been calibrated.
4: Watch out for hidden costs
If your calibration supplier has limited capability it could be generating hidden costs which are difficult to track and contain. For example if you are being forced to use five different suppliers to
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PSS MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
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