Calibration interval
Updated 2026-10-27
Data records
- A calibration interval is the planned period between successive calibrations of an instrument, chosen so that the instrument has a high probability of remaining within its specification throughout the period. It is set from the maker's published interval, the instrument's own calibration history, how often it is used and the conditions it is used in.
- A maker's note on calibration intervals explains that drift over time is a property of every electronic component and mechanical device, that the maker states one or more intervals in each product's published specifications, and that a user may adopt a shorter or longer interval than the published one depending on how often the instrument is used and how harsh its operating environment is. It points to the published guidance of NCSL International and of ILAC on establishing and adjusting calibration intervals.
Sources
- Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy, Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy of test methods, 2026-10 edition, Electrical Testing Reference. Held as: Own observation.
- Fluke application note, Establishing calibration intervals for Fluke products, web page edition, Fluke. Held as: Public page. Publisher page
Changelog (5 entries)
| Date | Revision | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.calibration-interval.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.calibration-interval.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.calibration-interval.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | revised (gloss.calibration-interval.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.calibration-interval.usage) |
Cite this page
Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.
"Calibration interval." Test Instrument Reference. 2026-10-27. https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/calibration-interval/.
Test Instrument Reference, Calibration interval (Oct. 27, 2026), https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/calibration-interval/.
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organization = {Test Instrument Reference},
publisher = {Test Instrument Reference},
year = {2026},
note = {last substantive change 2026-10-27}
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