Dictionary · Calibration
Metrological traceability chain
The sequence of standards and calibrations used to relate a result to a stated reference — the concrete path behind a traceability claim.
Related terms
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Calibration
The operation that, under specified conditions, first establishes a relation between values (with uncertainties) provided by measurement standards and corresponding indications (with uncertainties), and second uses that information to obtain results from indications. Calibration is not adjustment.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 2.39
Calibrator
A measurement standard used in calibration — in some fields, a device or material whose assigned value is transferred to the instrument under calibration.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 5.12
Calibration interval
The period between successive calibrations of an instrument, set and adjusted from stability history, usage, environment, and risk — commonly managed with interval-analysis methods such as those in NCSLI RP-1 and ILAC-G24.
ILAC-G24:2022
Verification
Provision of objective evidence that a given item fulfils specified requirements — e.g. that an instrument performs within its maximum permissible errors. A pass/fail attestation, distinct from calibration.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 2.44
Metrological comparability of measurement results
Comparability of results traceable to the same reference — what shared traceability buys: results that can be meaningfully compared even from different labs and methods.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 2.46
As-found / as-left data
Calibration results recorded before (as-found) and after (as-left) any adjustment or repair. As-found data support reverse-traceability decisions about product accepted with the instrument since its previous calibration.
Calibration practice; NCSLI RP-1