How to choose a right Calibration Service Company?
There are common mistakes made by users or businesses while choosing the right Calibration service company. Users or businesses often make mistakes as they rush to choose the calibration service company without considering their priorities and requirements.
People often choose a service considering their convenience and price only. Sometimes they just prefer selecting the same company they hired in the past. Of course, convenience and price are one of the important factors that one should consider while selecting any calibrating service company, but just giving utmost importance to these two factors wouldn’t’ help.
On the other hand, choosing a calibration service without finding out the pricing structure, additional charges for repairs and in turn if they end up providing low quality service, can be a big headache for you. Also, you end up spending a lot of money for nothing.
Points to be considered before choosing a quality calibration service company
Consider which standard your service provider uses
Most calibrating service providers will tell you they are authorized to the ISO standards. ISO standards provide elaborated description of the instruments. This will help you judge the service provider as the equipments used by them would be correct and accurate as they are certified by ISO.
Check whether the service provider is carrying out calibrations on-site or inside a calibration facility that is well controlled.
Correct calibration needs various environmental factors like vibration and temperature. Inside calibration facility is necessary as it will be perfectly controlled and will guarantee accurate results of the balances. The ISO standard should stabilize different balances to reduce the incorrect measurements. For scientists, onsite calibration service seems convenient, but on-site calibration can lead to compromises on the calibration quality. In case the calibration service company you approach carry out calibrations inside their own facilities, it means they are fully equipped to carry out calibration in a suitable environment that yields accurate results.
In addition, some companies also offer next day visit for free to ensure your equipment is working properly.
Check how your service provider is going to perform the calibration
Beware, as some companies also use illegal/unauthorized system like fast onsite service, which you can notice easily. One thing that you should be careful about is whether the service provider performs a complete preventive maintenance process by opening the instrument and cleaning it.
Just like cars need regular maintenance to save future costs and give reliable performance, these aspects are also needed for effective functioning of machines that are related to measurements.
Some providers do not provide preventive maintenance and if you notice such providers, do not consider hiring the company.
Experience and Knowledge in Calibration matters
While choosing the right calibration service company, do not forget to check their knowledge and experience in calibration. This will help you get better calibration service as you will get the service from the experts in the field.
Questions that you can ask to know if you are choosing the right company
Does the calibration service company cover all the aspects, ranges and parameters as per the major specifications?
All instruments are designed to cater to specific tasks. To carry out these tasks, the instruments should function within defined accuracies and specifications. Some equipment comes with special option to carry out specific purpose. Therefore, make sure you check with your service provider in advance whether he will be able to calibrate different options, ranges and parameters that match your specifications.
What is the accountability of the standards being used by the provider?
Accountability will help you trust and get confident about the equipment used by your provider to calibrate your device. You will able to trust the methods used to let your device perform within pre-defined specifications.
In case the equipment fails the performance tests, will the provider repair or adjust the equipment?
Sometimes, it may happen that your equipment fails to work properly after calibration. This means the equipment will not perform within the specified limits and accuracies. In such instances, you may get stuck, so make sure you check with your provider if he can repair or make adjustments. This will help you calculate the additional costs that you may need to spend in longer run.
The above questions can certainly help you choose the right calibrating company and do not fall in prey for companies that may use unauthorized methods.