Calibration
Updated 2026-10-27
Data records
- Calibration is the comparison, under stated conditions, of the readings of an instrument against a reference standard of known value and uncertainty, producing a documented relationship between the two. Adjustment of the instrument to bring its readings within tolerance is a separate step that may follow the comparison.
- A maker's introduction to calibration describes it as the comparison of a device under test whose value is unknown against a reference standard whose value is known, and insists that the standard carries a known uncertainty lower than that of the device being calibrated. It describes a calibration as running through an as-found check, an adjustment where one is needed, and an as-left check that is required whenever the instrument has been adjusted.
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 learn article, What Is Calibration? Understanding the Basics, web page edition, Fluke. Held as: Public page. Publisher page
Changelog (5 entries)
| Date | Revision | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.calibration.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.calibration.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.calibration.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | revised (gloss.calibration.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.calibration.usage) |
Cite this page
Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.
"Calibration." Test Instrument Reference. 2026-10-27. https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/calibration/.
Test Instrument Reference, Calibration (Oct. 27, 2026), https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/calibration/.
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title = {Calibration},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/calibration/}},
organization = {Test Instrument Reference},
publisher = {Test Instrument Reference},
year = {2026},
note = {last substantive change 2026-10-27}
}{{cite web |title=Calibration |website=Test Instrument Reference |publisher=Test Instrument Reference |url=https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/calibration/ |date=2026-10-27 |access-date=}}