When is an instrument calibrated?

If a measuring instrument does not accurately represent the quantity being measured, then the measuring instrument may need to be calibrated. We can substitute an instrument calibrator for the quantity being measured. Calibration can be performed by comparing the reading on the instrument to the reading provided by the instrument calibrator. Instrument calibration is one or more adjustments performed on an instrument to ensure that the instrument reading accurately represents the quantity being measured.

Why should instruments be calibrated?

There are many reasons why instruments need to be calibrated. -Equipment degrades over time. -Whenever maintenance is performed on an instrument, it needs to be calibrated. Often, the range of an instrument changes, thus requiring calibration. If a fault is discovered and fixed as a result of troubleshooting, it is likely that any instrument included in the troubleshooting process will need to be calibrated.