SUPPLEMENT FEATURE TEST & MEASUREMENT THE NEED FOR CALIBRATION
It is vitally important to have test instruments calibrated on a regular basis. Here, instrument calibration and instrument supply specialist, Re-CAL answer some of the key questions
1. Is calibration of test equipment required under the regulations? Approved contractors have a duty to
ensure that the test equipment that they use to test to BS EN 61557 (17th Edition) and Part P is both accurate and consistent. For approved contractors, calibration forms an important part of their annual assessment and all governing bodies/schemes require both annual calibration with certificates via a calibration laboratory, and in addition, ongoing checks to verify the consistency of the results taken.
2. Which items of test equipment need regular calibrating and at what intervals? All measuring instruments should be
calibrated to ensure that they operate to their optimum performance level. This could vary from 17th Edition testers to PAT testers and multi-meters to environmental testers. The interval depends entirely on the use and abuse that the instrument suffers in use. However, to answer the question,
most manufacturers recommend a re- calibration period of 12 months. In addition to the formal calibration of the instruments they should also be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they remain within specification. This can be achieved in a number of ways - by cross-referencing to other instruments that the business may own
S18 OCTOBER 2014 | TEST & MEASUREMENT
or testing on a designated circuit in the office or home. There are also now a number of test instrument manufacturers producing calibration check boxes, which enable the contractor to check instrument accuracy in the office or in the field. After all, the majority of Re-CAL’s instruments are used in arduous environments and do not spend their lives wrapped in cotton wool. They are subjected to rough handling, accidental dropping and in some case extremes of temperature. The size of company and the instruments deployed will dictate the particular method(s) adopted. No matter which method is used it is vitally important that records of the results are kept and made available upon request. This enables the contractor to demonstrate to any inspectorate that they have an effective control system in place for test equipment.
3. What are the possible consequences if your testers are not correctly calibrated? More and more we hear horror stories of accidents and injuries sustained as a result of faulty wiring or equipment and with society today adopting some what of a blame and claim culture, the need for documentation to prove equipment performance is ever more important. Traceability is everything - all certificates
issued by Re-CAL are fully traceable to the NPL (National Physics laboratory) standards. A statement is made on all certificates issued showing this.
4. What standards or certificates should you look for when selecting a service to calibrate your testers? Any company offering calibration should be honest and upfront, fast and efficient. Down-time costs money and very often time is of the essence with calibration. Traceability is everything - all certificates issued by Re-CAL are fully traceable to the NPL (National Physics Laboratory) standards. A statement of this is made on all certificates issued. It is a good idea to ensure the calibration house that you
/ ELECTRICALENGINEERING
Left and above: all measuring instruments should be calibrated to ensure that they operate to their optimum performance level
use has a quality system in place (ISO9001:2008). This demonstrates that they have an effective system of control of their own measuring devices.
5. What are the calibration services offered by Re-CAL? Re-CAL understand the importance of
Below: in addition to the formal calibration of the instruments they should also be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they remain within specification
having test equipment that operates accurately and reliably. Instrument accuracy is critical to ensure that test results obtained are within specified parameters. The traceable calibration certificate Re-CAL produce can be used to demonstrate accuracy of the instrument should evidence ever be required. Re-CAL has developed a service with innovations like Lab on Wheels, offering a specialist on-site calibration service anywhere in the UK for larger companies where down-time and security is an issue.
Re-CAL
www.recal.biz T: 0161 877 3621
Enter 242
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64