- Other Fluke companies:
- Fluke
- Fluke Biomedical
- Fluke Networks
- Fluke Process Instruments
See more Fluke brands
Fluke Calibration Blog
Calibration Equipment & Standards and Calibration Software
Jul 29, 2019
This is a story about how a community comes together to save a lake. Lone Lake is a 90.3 acre lake on the south end of Whidbey Island, Washington. Popular with boaters, swimmers and trout fisherman and ringed by homes, in 1996-2003 it was invaded by waterweeds that reduced access and interfered with the fish. Residents and local environmental organizations tried to fix the problem by alternately applying herbicides to kill the plants and stocking grass carp to eat them.
Algae bloom on Lone...
Jul 11, 2019
Dry-block calibrators vs. temperature baths: (left) portable temperature bath, (middle) hand-held dry-block calibrator, (right) standard temperature bath
Temperature sensors are typically calibrated by placing them in a stable temperature source and comparing their output to the output of a calibrated reference. Two common sources are dry-block calibrators and temperature baths, but which is right for you? Let’s start our dry-block calibrator vs. temperature bath analysis by defining each....
Jul 10, 2019
We’re proud to feature this interview with one of our team members who helps customers move forward with Fluke Calibration. Looking for help with a Department of Defense calibration lab? Contact Joe Baker at 425-446-6388.
Joe Baker Demonstrating Calibration Equipment at MSC as Part of His Metrology Career
The school required a commitment of 14 months enrollment, plus extending his military service from four to six years. Joe signed up without quite knowing what he was getting into. “It just...
May 28, 2019
Fluke Calibration engineering fleet spans the globe, several generations, and numerous disciplines: covering both calibration and engineering disciplines. When the 8588A 8.5-digit Reference Multimeter and the 8558A 8.5-digit Multimeter launched, one engineer on the project humbly stated those advances were “simply clever engineering.”
What is innovation if not clever engineering that is directed towards solving customer problems?
Solving tough engineering challenges is what engineers do. It’s...
May 15, 2019
Choosing a calibration management software application requires careful investigation. Here’s a checklist of criteria to keep in mind.
Does the calibration management software automate your calibrators?
Does it automate your devices under test?
Are calibration procedures available or can you create them easily?
Does the manufacturer offer training?
Does the manufacturer offer support? What kinds of support?
Telephone
Knowledge base
User groups
Bulletin boards/user forums
Does the...
Apr 17, 2019
The best/proper method to clean your infrared calibrator target
The black body paint on the target of your infrared calibrator is very delicate. To remove the dust or debris from the paint, the only thing you can do is use compressed dry air. The dry air must have no oil and no water in the line or hose. Use a filter on an air hose to remove the oil and an air dryer to remove the water. Have the compressed air set to about 100 psi.
Some items like compressed air in a can will contain a...
Apr 16, 2019
If you are calibrating a medium to high accuracy RTD, you will probably use the characterization method of calibration. Characterization is the type of calibration in which the device under test (DUT) resistance is determined at several temperature points and the data are fitted to a mathematical expression.
To calibrate an RTD, perform these steps:
Place the reference probe and the DUTs in the temperature source. Make sure they are all placed as close together as possible, in a radial...
Apr 15, 2019
What knocks a digital instrument “out of calibration?”
Three common causes of calibration problems are:
Component shift. First, the major components of test instruments (for example, voltage references, input dividers, current shunts) can simply shift over time. This shifting is minor and usually harmless if you keep a good calibration schedule; this shifting is typically what calibration finds and corrects.
Drops. Suppose you drop a current clamp — hard. How do you know that clamp will...
Apr 12, 2019
Why Technicians Calibrate at the Bench -
Technicians calibrate at the bench to ensure calibrations are effective and don’t result in degradation of performance. They ensure that all components are in good working order prior to installation, and can evaluate them when component failure is suspected. The bench provides a stable ambient environment for calibration, an opportunity to use the most accurate equipment, and protection from factory conditions during the commissioning, testing,...
Oct 30, 2018
Thermocouples are common in industry because they are inexpensive and cover a wide temperature range. They should be tested during commissioning and again when removed from a process to verify that the tolerances were met. You’ll also want to test thermocouples at regular calibration intervals and if you suspect them of failing to meet performance specifications.
Because of their unique characteristics, it’s best to calibrate thermocouples in situ (in place) by comparison to a temperature...