Different Types of Calibrators Explained: A Detailed Overview

Introduction

Calibration is a critical process across various industries, ensuring the precise accuracy and reliability of measuring instruments. Calibrators, the specialised devices used for this process, provide precise reference values for comparison. Understanding different types of these devices is critical to ensuring your instruments remain functional. This blog equips you with an in-depth review of the most popular types of calibrators and explains their significance in maintaining measurement integrity.

What is a Calibration? Why Does It Matter?

Over time, measuring instruments can drift from their original accuracy due to factors like wear and tear, environmental conditions, and improper handling. Calibration ensures that an instrument is configured to provide error-free results for a sample within an acceptable range. The purpose is to eliminate or reduce bias in the measurements taken with a specific instrument as compared to a known standard. Calibration matters because it maintains the integrity of measurements and serves as a bridge between the performance of an instrument and the standards of accuracy required for a specific task. Key reasons for using calibration instruments include ensuring measurement accuracy, quality assurance, cost savings, and regulatory compliance.

Understanding Calibrators: The Key to Instruments Accuracy

Calibrators are instruments designed to perform calibration by providing a known and accurate measurement value or quantity to the devices under tests (DUTs). These instruments offer a known and stable output of a specific physical quantity, such as voltage, pressure, temperature, or flow. These outputs serve as a reference for calibrating other measuring instruments. A calibrator ensures the instrument’s measurement remains accurate and reliable over time, ultimately enhancing product quality, minimising errors, and adhering to industry regulations.

Calibrator Modalities: Exploring the Spectrum of Options

Calibrators are broadly classified into various types based on the type of physical quantity they measure and applications. Each type serves specific functions and includes:

Electrical Calibrators

Electrical calibrators are among the most common types designed to calibrate instruments that measure electrical parameters, including voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and frequency. These standards verify the performance of electrical instruments, making them essential in electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, and other industries that rely on precise electrical measurements. Their subtypes include:

• Voltage Calibrators – These calibration instruments provide a stable and accurate voltage output. They can be used to calibrate voltmeters, power supplies, and other voltage-measuring devices.
• Current Calibrators – These instruments generate a precise current output, used for calibrating ammeters, current transformers, and other current-measuring instruments.
• Resistance Calibrators – These standards provide precise resistance values and are used to calibrate ohmmeters and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs).
• Loop Calibrators – These devices are specifically designed for testing and calibrating 4-20 mA current loops, which are standard in industrial environments. In addition to these types, electrical calibrators also come as multifunction calibrators that can generate and measure various electrical parameters in a single unit.

Temperature Calibrators

As the name suggests, temperature calibrators are designed to calibrate temperature-measuring instruments such as thermocouples, RTDs, and thermometers. These devices are crucial in industries where temperature control is critical, such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and aerospace. They can come as:

• Dry-Block Calibrators – These instruments use a heated or cooled metal block with wells to accommodate temperature sensors. They offer good stability and are suitable for calibrating various types of temperature sensors.
• Fluid Bath Calibrators – They use a temperature-controlled liquid bath to provide a stable temperature environment.

Pressure Calibrators

A pressure calibrator is used to calibrate instruments that measure pressure, such as pressure gauges, transmitters, and transducers. It is essential in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and automotive. These calibration equipment come in the following types:

• Pneumatic – These devices use air or other gases to generate pressure. They are suitable for calibrating instruments that measure low to medium pressures.
• Hydraulic – These reference devices use liquids such as oil or water to generate pressure. They are suitable for calibrating instruments that measure high pressures.

Mechanical Calibrators

These standards are built to calibrate instruments that measure mechanical parameters such as force, torque, mass, and dimension. They are essential in manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive industries.

Multifunction Calibrators

A multifunction calibrator combines several calibration functions in a single unit, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution for calibration tasks. It can often handle pressure, electrical signals, temperature, and frequency, which makes it highly versatile for various industries.

Gas Calibrators

These reference devices are crucial in industries like environmental monitoring and safety. They test gas detection and analysis instruments, ensuring they deliver accurate readings for safe operations. Calibration gas mixers and portable gas calibrators are popular types that can detect blends of gases and gas analysers.

pH Calibrators

These standards are engineered to ensure the accuracy of pH meters and sensors. They typically involve calibration solutions with known pH values. Additionally, these devices precisely measure acidity or alkalinity, which is essential in food production, environmental testing, and pharmaceuticals.

Choosing the Right Calibrator: Exploring Expert Selection Criteria

Selecting the appropriate calibrator depends on several factors. When choosing a calibrator, consider the following parameters to ensure precision and reliable measurements in various fields:

• Type of Instrument to Calibrate: Identify whether you need calibration for electrical, pressure, temperature, or other parameters.
• Accuracy Requirements: The precision needed for specific applications determines the type of calibrator required.
• Environment: Conditions under which the calibrator will be used (e.g., temperature, humidity, risk of contamination) can influence the choice.
• Ease of Use: Features such as digital interfaces, automatic procedures, and data logging capabilities can simplify calibration processes.
• Portability: Determine whether you need a portable, integrated, or stationary device.
• Budget: Consider your costs that can vary significantly between different types and specifications of models.

Final Thoughts

Calibrators are indispensable calibration tools that maintain the integrity and reliability of measurement systems across various industries. They come in multiple forms, from electrical and temperature standards to pressure, flow, and dimensional calibrators. Their wide variety of options ensures that every industry can find a suitable solution for its needs. Investing in the right calibrator not only enhances measurement accuracy but also ensures compliance with industry standards.