- Technical support
- Calibration service
- Which calibrations are offered by ifm?
Which calibrations are offered by ifm?
ifm’s calibration laboratory offers ISO, A2LA and DAkkS calibrations. Newly bought sensors can be calibrated directly when you order them. Simply add the corresponding order code to the cart – see Pressure, Temperature, Flow or Analytical sensors. It goes without saying that ifm also offers recalibrations for sensors already in use.
ISO calibration
An ISO calibration may only be performed by laboratories with a certified quality assurance system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015.
This is the only way we can offer you high quality calibrations.
The measuring equipment used for calibration are regularly recalibrated and traceable to the national standard of the German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) or other national standards.
What is documented in our ISO calibration certificates?
- Identification (object, manufacturer, type and serial number, customer, calibration certificate no., date, signature)
- Clear description of the calibration standard used
- Description of the ambient conditions
- Description of the measuring equipment and the calibration procedure
- All measuring results, by specifying the measuring points, unit and uncertainty
- Remarks on the calibration results
A2LA calibration
Like the DAkkS in Germany, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) is the national institute for the accreditation of calibration laboratories in the UnitedStates.
Calibrations performed by A2LA-accredited laboratories are traceable to national or international standards, such as those of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and the specific requirements of A2LA R105 section 1.2. A calibration carried out by an A2LA-accredited laboratory thus provides internationally recognised measurement results.
DAkkS calibration
The DAkkS calibration ensures that measuring results are internationally comparable and product liability risks are reduced - an important prerequisite for securing your competitive edge on today’s and tomorrow’s markets.
The DAkkS is the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH. DAkkS calibration certificates are traceable to national standards of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) or other national standards. Calibrations are only performed by accredited laboratories.
Moreover, DAkkS methods are regularly tested by the accreditation authority. This testing ensures the compliance of the calibration procedure with a validated method, thus resulting in international acceptance.
Over time, almost every sensor is subject to stress. Without regular recalibrations, these influences can neither be perceived, nor compensated for. As a consequence, constant quality assurance is no longer possible.
To avoid such erroneous measurements, sensors must be checked at regular intervals to ensure that the specified tolerances of the quantity to be measured are met.
The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) recommends specifying the calibration interval based on the following parameters:
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Properties of the instrument |  |
Operating conditions (tendency to wear and drift) |
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The instrument manufacturer’s recommendation |  |
Experience with similar instruments (individual or group calibration) |
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Experience from previous calibrations |  |
Requirements from customers, authorities and standards |
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Extent of resulting damage due to lacking equipment |
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The influence of the environment (temperature, moisture, vibration) |
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Service life |  |
Uncertainty in measurement |
| Green = Initial choice of calibration intervals, Blue = Methods of reviewing calibration intervals |
We recommend performing a recalibration every 12 months. When critical control points (CCP) occur, the calibration interval may need to be shortened.
Recalibrations are only possible if the device is returned in a clean condition, without any adaptations attached (condition on delivery). Also, devices returned for recalibration must be accompanied by a completed Declaration of Decontamination.
Comparison of the certificates
| Those who are regularly audited benefit in particular from calibrations certified according to ISO or DAkkS. Factory certificates are often sufficient for simple applications. It is important to base your selection on the application area and standard requirements. |