Traceable calibration provides reliable assessment of measurement performance and can be chosen when accredited calibration is not required.
It is often performed on-site, to ensure minimal disruption to your operations.
Instruments We Typically Calibrate
We perform traceable calibration for a wide range of instruments, including:
- Temperature sensors
- Pressure and differential pressure gauges
- Energy meters
- Flow meters for liquid – mass and volume
- Weighing systems
- pH and oxygen meters
If you require calibration of other instrument types, please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
When Is Traceable Calibration the Right Choice?
Traceable calibration is typically selected when:
- Accredited calibration is not a regulatory or customer requirement
- Minimising downtime is critical
- Calibration is part of preventive maintenance
- Cost-efficiency and practicality are important
- Internal quality systems (e.g. ISO 9001) require documented traceability
For many industrial and utility applications, traceable calibration provides the necessary confidence in measurement performance.
What Does Traceable Calibration Include?
Traceable calibration compares the measurements between the equipment under calibration (denoted Unit Under Test) and a recognised reference standard. The calibration is performed using traceably calibrated reference equipment and documented according to defined procedures.
A traceable calibration typically includes:
- Calibration performed with traceable reference equipment
- Documented calibration results
- Calculation of measurement performance
- Optional adjustment if required
- Calibration results issued as a certificate or provided for customer registration
While traceable calibration does not necessarily include a stated overall measurement uncertainty, it provides a solid and widely accepted basis for ensuring reliable measurements.
On-Site Traceable Calibration
Traceable calibration is often performed directly at your installation to minimise downtime and avoid unnecessary dismounting, transport, and reinstallation of equipment.
Our Calibration Engineers bring their own traceably calibrated reference instruments and can perform calibration during planned maintenance periods or scheduled shutdowns.
On-site traceable calibration is particularly suitable when:
- Equipment is difficult or costly to remove
- Production interruptions must be minimised
- Calibration needs to be integrated into existing maintenance activities
Traceable vs Accredited Calibration
Traceable calibration ensures documented traceability to recognised standards and is sufficient for many applications. However, it does not always include defined requirements for measurement uncertainty, environmental control, or independent oversight.
If your application, customers, or regulatory requirements from authorities need a higher level of documented confidence, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration may be the appropriate choice.
Traceable vs Accredited Calibration: Quick Comparison
|
Traceable Calibration |
Accredited Calibration (ISO/IEC 17025) |
|
|
Primary purpose |
Determine Calibration Measurement Capabilities (CMC)
|
Provide independent, third-party audited confidence |
|
Traceability |
Yes – to recognised standards
|
Yes – with independent accreditation |
|
Measurement uncertainty stated
|
Not necessarily
|
Yes – calculated and stated |
|
Regulatory acceptance
|
Depends on industry and application
|
Accepted by authorities and regulators |
|
Audit readiness |
Suitable for many internal quality systems (e.g. ISO 9001)
|
Strong documentation basis for audits |
|
Environmental control requirements
|
Not formally defined
|
Defined and controlled |
|
Personnel competence requirements
|
Not formally specified
|
Defined and verified |
|
Independent oversight
|
No |
Yes (e.g. DANAK) |
|
Typical use cases |
Preventive maintenance, non-critical measurements
|
Critical measurements, regulated environments |
|
Cost and complexity
|
Lower |
Higher, but with stronger documentation |
How to Order Traceable Calibration
Ordering traceable calibration with Insatech is straightforward.
You can:
- Contact our calibration team for advice and booking
- Send equipment to our laboratory for in-house calibration
If you are unsure whether traceable or accredited calibration is the right choice for your application, our Calibration Engineers are happy to advise you.
Need Advice?
Choosing the right calibration approach depends on your application, industry, and operational requirements. Our Calibration Engineers provide practical guidance on calibration intervals, acceptance criteria, and suitable calibration methods.
If you are unsure which calibration service you need, we are happy to help you make the right choice.
