Field and Lab calibrations are two major calibration systems used by companies to ensure maximum accuracy in their company equipment. Both of these services can work great for any situation or environment. Hence, every company and business owner must understand their use, possible drawbacks and benefits.
This data will help you choose the type of calibration most suited to your needs. Most technicians still struggle to decide whether to perform pressure calibration in testing and calibration laboratories or elsewhere in the field. Here is an explanation of both to help make the decision easier.
Field Calibration
This type of calibration service involves a calibration company sending their trained staff to a client’s place when they perform the calibration services. They usually have the right tools and equipment to help them perform their on-site duties perfectly. One primary reason that usually warrants using this kind of calibration service is the productivity and installation of the instrument in question.
Advantages Of Field Calibration
These are some of the top benefits of field calibration that can help guide your decision-making:
Reduced Costs
Shipping equipment to the lab can be costly as you have to cover the shipping fees and handling. However, for field calibration, all these expenses aren’t necessary. This is because a technician directly comes to you, saving you costs.
- Total Loop Calibration
Field calibration is the best when you need to calibrate an entire measurement loop. It allows the company to adjust its pressure calibration equipment without the need to uninstall everything and send it to the lab. This helps save time and improve productivity.
- Improved Speed
Since the calibration technician comes to your facility, there is no need to pack and ship the equipment to the lab. This improves the calibration speed, reduces downtime and allows you to return to work soon.
Disadvantage Of Field Calibration
While this type of calibration has numerous advantages, it has one major drawback. That is lesser control of the environment. This means you can never have control of the weather or the room in which the equipment is, which can be an issue while dealing with sensitive devices.
Lab Calibration
With lab calibration, the client has to uninstall their equipment, pack it and ship it to the calibration company’s lab. The company then performs the calibration in their secure labs. Once they are done, they ship the equipment back to the client.
Advantages Of Lab Calibration
Most equipment companies prefer working with lab calibration because of its unique advantages. Some of these advantages include the following:
- Improved Safety
Some calibration services or activities can easily jeopardize the staff or your equipment, especially if they are the kinds that might need thermal or electrical current overload. Lab calibration is the best option in such cases due to its safety measures.
- Improved Possible Uncertainty
Lab calibration remains the best option for calibration needs requiring possible uncertainty. The lab usually has accurate stationary equipment and the best environmental controls. This aids in the achievement of the best possible uncertainty during the process.
- Increased Environmental Control
Lab calibration gives room for ultimate environmental control. This is because some of these calibration companies have equipment sensitive to humidity or temperature during the calibration process. This ensures an accurate and safe calibration process.
Disadvantage Of Lab Calibration
One major drawback that lab calibration can present is fixed environmental control. While this may seem like a great advantage, it may also pose a significant challenge for some clients, especially those who cannot uninstall or ship their equipment out of the lab.
These explanations should help shed some light on these two calibration processes, in terms of what they do, and the best option to work with. Whatever option you choose, it’s essential to understand your equipment’s environmental sensitivity and whether a controlled atmosphere is the best option.
