Calibrating your Stuff: Why it Matters

 

We've all had those mornings where everything goes wrong all at once. The alarm fails, coffee burns, and you forget breakfast. You knew your fuel gauge was unreliable, but when your car sputters to a stop on the highway, you realize you have to call your boss and admit you'll be late. This scenario highlights our dependence on the accuracy of everyday items like alarm clocks and fuel gauges. Now imagine if, instead, your company dealt with inaccuracies in expensive pressure equipment.

From transducers to pressure controllers, regular calibration maintains the reliability of pressure sensing and measuring devices. It's not just a maintenance task; it's a practice that guarantees your instruments are operating accurately, efficiently, and safely.

In this blog, we'll explore why calibration matters, its numerous benefits, and why Mensor's accredited calibration services are your trusted choice for measurement accuracy. 

 

Who Cares? Spoiler Alert... You Do

All pressure sensors will eventually drift away from their original, calibrated output. This drift can cause the entire calibration curve to shift upward or downward. Additionally, there's the possibility of a span drift, where the slope of the curve changes.

The amount of drift and how long it will take to drift outside of acceptable accuracy specifications depends on the quality of the sensor. Most pressure-measuring device manufacturers specify a calibration interval in their datasheet, indicating how long the calibration is expected to meet accuracy specifications. The calibration interval is typically 90 to 365 days, determined through statistical analysis. For example, Mensor specifies calibration intervals of 365 or 180 days, depending on the sensor.

But what exactly is calibration? Simply put, calibration is the process of checking an instrument's measurements against a known standard. Then, adjustments are made to correctly align the instrument. By investing in regular calibrations, you can rest assured that your pressure instruments deliver precise readings and effectively manage pressure systems.

 Now that we've gotten all the science jargon out of the way, let's focus on what's really important: Why routine calibration benefits your company.

Accuracy:

Regular calibration will keep your pressure instruments as accurate as the day you bought them. If you want to maintain product quality, reliable development results, and improve process efficiency, then regular calibration is the way to go.

Mensor's calibration services use NIST and SI-traceable standards, guaranteeing that the accuracy we deliver not only meets but exceeds industry standards. We're so confident in our expertise that we can also calibrate instruments from other manufacturers. Check out the wide range of pressure products we calibrate in our blog: Pressure Products That Mensor Can Calibrate But Didn't Make

 

Regulatory Compliance: Many industries, such as pharmaceutical, aerospace, and oil and gas, face strict regulations that mandate regular calibration of measurement instruments. Due to some of these industries' critical nature, instruments must provide reliable data for decision-making, product quality, and public safety.

At Mensor, we are proud to operate an accredited pressure calibration laboratory that meets the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 and satisfies the demanding criteria of ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, reassuring our clients of our commitment to precision and reliability.

 

Process Efficiency:

Operating at accurate pressures has more of an impact than you might think.

Imagine how your company could benefit from:

-Reduce waste and energy consumption

-Prevent pressure-related equipment failure

-Decrease downtime and maintenance costs

Every dollar reinvested into your pressure instruments should contribute to your company's overall success. That's why we prioritize efficiency to save you both time and money. Because let's be honest—no one enjoys waiting weeks to have their equipment calibrated! Let's get you back to business smoothly and swiftly!

 

Safety Assurance:

Accurate pressure control in high-pressure settings goes beyond quality assurance; it's a matter of safety. Proper calibration prevents catastrophic failures that could put lives and property at risk.

Mensor's calibration procedures are designed with safety as a top priority, ensuring that each recalibrated instrument meets the strictest safety standards across industries.

 

Forgot to Recalibrate? Here's what you can expect…

  • Product Quality Issues: Skipping calibration leads to inaccurate pressure readings, resulting in out-of-spec products that could mean costly recalls or rejected batches. No one wants to deal with that headache!
  • Legal and Financial Risks: How would your company like to deal with fines, legal troubles, or loss of certifications?  Improper calibration can put you at risk of non-compliance with industry standards. Protect your business!
  • Energy Waste & Equipment Damage: Poorly calibrated equipment requires systems to work harder, increasing costs and energy consumption. Let's prevent premature wear and keep those bills in check!
  • Safety Hazards: In the worst-case scenarios, uncalibrated pressure equipment may create hazardous situations, such as dangerous over-pressurization or under-pressurization events. Safety should always come first!

 

Proper calibration is essential to avoid compromised product quality, higher energy costs, equipment damage, and safety hazards. Not only does it minimize financial and legal risks, but it also protects your business's efficiency, reputation, and profitability.

 

The Path Forward; Watcha Gonna Do?

With over fifty years of experience in pressure calibration, Mensor is committed to providing our partners the service they deserve.

We understand that time is your most precious asset, so we want to save you as much of it as possible—all without compromising accuracy. If you need speed, our 5-day expedited calibration service will get your pressure instruments up and running in no time. Don't wait for inaccuracies to impact your processes; take proactive steps so your pressure equipment can operate at peak performance.

Contact our dedicated customer service team today at 512-396-4200 or email us at techservices@mensor.com to discuss your specific pressure calibration requirements and develop a strategy that keeps your operations' safety, efficiency, and success at the forefront.

 

Edited on January 2nd, 2025 at 3:47 p.m.

 

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