Knowledge
Metrology Dictionary
The complete VIM vocabulary — all numbered concepts of JCGM 200:2012 as faithful paraphrases with clause citations — plus clearly labeled practice terms from the GUM, ILAC, ISO and NIST guidance.
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 · Calibration
Calibration curve
The expression of the relation between indication and corresponding measured quantity value established by calibration — the diagram's central line, without the uncertainty strip.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.31 · Calibration
Calibration diagram
A graphical expression of the relation between indication and corresponding measurement result, showing the strip of estimated uncertainty around the relation.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.30 · Calibration
Calibration hierarchy
The sequence of calibrations from a stated reference to the final measuring system, each calibration depending on the previous one; uncertainty necessarily grows down the chain.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 2.40 · Calibration
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 · Calibration
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