What types of calibration can be conducted outside of a lab?

Mobile calibration services are invaluable for businesses to minimise downtime and maintain operational efficiency. However, depending on the equipment, certain types of calibration require the specialised environment of a laboratory and cannot be tested on-site. 

Understanding what equipment can and cannot be calibrated by mobile services is paramount to take advantage of the efficiency benefits while remaining compliant with standards and regulations. Read on to discover the types of calibrations that can be reliably performed in a mobile setting and those that demand a laboratory’s precision.

Mobile calibration: covering all things mechanical 

A considerable number of mechanical calibration tasks can be conducted directly on-site with an equipped team of technicians. Mobile calibration aligns with national traceability standards to ensure results are both reliable and verifiable, allowing for a broad spectrum of mechanical instruments to be calibrated in the field: 

Pressure gauges and barometers: Essential for a myriad of applications from weather forecasting to ensuring safety in chemical reactions, these instruments can be calibrated on-site, utilising reference standards to ensure accuracy and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation​​.

Temperature instruments: From industrial thermometers to infrared metres, the accuracy of temperature measurement is crucial. Mobile calibration can employ controlled environments or electronic devices to simulate precise temperatures, ensuring compliance with the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) and ISO 9001:2015​​.

Dimensional calibration: The foundation of manufacturing, whether it’s architecture or engineering, relies on precise dimensional measurements. Verniers, micrometres and taper gauges are examples of tools that can be calibrated on-site to maintain compliance with international standards such as ISO 17.020 - 17.040​​.

Torque wrenches and sensors: Vital for the automotive industry, these instruments can be calibrated using a calibration beam as per ISO 6789-1:2017, ensuring equipment is rotated accurately for precise calibration within specific environmental conditions​​.

The exception: electrical and UKAS required calibration

While mechanical calibrations can largely be performed outside a laboratory setting, electrical and UKAS-level calibration needs to be conducted within the controlled environment of an accredited laboratory. This distinction is critical for businesses to understand, as UKAS accreditations and certain electrical calibrations necessitate a level of precision and environmental control that only a laboratory setting can provide​​​​​​.

Think DM for both on-site and laboratory calibration 

Mobile calibration services provide a flexible, efficient solution for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of mechanical equipment, with the added benefit of minimal operational disruption. While electrical and specific UKAS-required calibrations still necessitate a laboratory setting, the vast majority of mechanical calibration tasks can be effectively performed on-site, ensuring compliance with national and international standards. 

At DM, we provide the best of both worlds: the convenience of mobile calibration and UKAS-level testing in one of our accredited laboratories. Recognized for our commitment to precision and reliability, DM is the leader in both mobile and laboratory calibration services. Our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that regardless of your calibration needs, we deliver accuracy and efficiency that industries depend on.

Interested in optimising your calibration processes with minimal disruption? Contact DM today to discover how our tailored calibration solutions can support your operational excellence and compliance goals