The Importance of Calibration

The figure below depicts how a properly performed calibration can improve product performance. Ideally a product would produce test results that exactly match the sample value, with no error at any point within the calibrated range. This line has been labeled “Ideal Results”. However, without calibration, an actual product may produce test results different from the sample value, with a potentially large error.

Calibrating the product can improve this situation significantly. During calibration, the product is “taught” using the known values of Calibrators 1 and 2 what result it should provide. The process eliminates the errors at these two points, in effect moving the “Before Calibration” curve closer to the Ideal Results line shown by the “After Calibration” curve. The Error At Any Point has been reduced to zero at the calibration points, and the residual error at any other point within the operating range is within the manufacturer’s published linearity or accuracy specification.