What is Calibration: Definition and 95 Discussions

In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artifact, such as a meter ruler.
The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following:

no significant error being noted on the device under test
a significant error being noted but no adjustment made
an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison and does not include any subsequent adjustment.
The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national or international standard held by a metrology body.

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  1. Mordred

    I James Webb telescope calibration

    I understand that many of the extreme distance objects were incorrectly calibrated for their distance and subsequent age. I have been trying to track down the related articles detailing the error with the applicable mathematics. If anyone knows where I can get the related calibration papers it...
  2. NTL2009

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  3. A

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    In using scintillator or germanium energy sensors, certain radionuclides representing some definite line energies are used to calibrate the sensors. What technique or method is used to measure or determine the energies of these standards.
  4. M

    Engineering DC Generator calibration plot

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  5. F

    When does the calibration uncertainty contribute to a measurement uncertainty?

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  6. A

    Calibration of a Meter Stick

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  7. fsonnichsen

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  8. berkeman

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  9. P

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  10. D

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  11. Pushoam

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  12. M

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  13. J

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  14. R

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  15. C

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  16. TheSodesa

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  17. EngrHdr

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  18. L

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  19. L

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  20. C

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  21. P

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  22. R

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  23. A

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  24. O

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  25. M

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  26. D

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  27. H

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  28. P

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  29. J

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  30. D

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  31. Rapier

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  32. D

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  33. L

    Instrument Calibration Intervals: Self-Calibration Accepted?

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  34. S

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  35. F

    Negative values in calibration curve

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  36. ~christina~

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  37. Tomcat

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  38. T

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    Hello, I am working on a project that is attempting to use GM tubes to detect low levels of radiation emitted from food or other objects. Currently I am trying to find the efficiency of these tubes to beta and gamma radiation. I wanted to get a pure beta and pure gamma source but I was...
  39. D

    Basic statistics calibration question

    Hi guys, My friend was asked the following question in an interview: There are 3 weight scales and a 10kg weight. You weigh the 10kg on each scale 5 times (total of 15 measurements for the 3 scales), each measurement is a bit off the 10kg mark (lets say the first scale shows: 11kg, 9.4kg...
  40. M

    IR thermometer calibration source

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  41. J

    Why don't handheld devices have screen calibration settings?

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  42. S

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    Hi, I hope this is in the correct section, please feel free to move it or advise me to move if it's in the incorrect section. I work as an aerospace engineer and a sideline of what i do is to maintain the torque wrenches we use on the equipment. We have a set schedule for maintenance every...
  43. R

    Calibration curve (absorbance)

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  44. G

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  45. C

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  46. A

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  47. Chronos

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  48. D

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  49. G

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  50. S

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