WORK/CALIBRATION

PROCEDURE

NAME OF TECHNICIAN DATE SIGN

RAJI BAMIDELE
Content
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 1
SCOPE .......................................................................................................................................... 1
1 TERMINOLOGY AND SYMBOLS .......................................................................................... 2
2 GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE CALIBRATION ..................................................................... 2
2.1 Elements of the calibration............................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Range of calibration.......................................................................................................... 2
2.1.2 Place of calibration ........................................................................................................... 2
2.1.3 Preconditions, preparations.............................................................................................. 2
2.2 Test load and indication................................................................................................... 2
2.2.1 Basic relation between load and indication ...................................................................... 2
2.2.2 Effect of air buoyancy ...................................................................................................... .. 3
2.2.3 Effects of convection ........................................................................................................ 3
2.2.4 Buoyancy correction for the reference value of mass ...................................................... 3
2.3 Test loads........................................................................................................................ 3
2.3.1 Standard weights.............................................................................................................. 3
2.3.2 Other test loads ................................................................................................................ 3
2.3.3 Use of substitution loads .................................................................................................. 3
3 MEASUREMENT METHODS.................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Repeatability test.............................................................................................................. 4
3.2 Test for errors of indication .............................................................................................. 4
3.3 Eccentricity test ............................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Linearity test……………………………………………………………………………………...4
3.5 Calibration ……………………………………………………………………..…………………5
4 CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE .............................................................................................. ..6
4.1 General information ........................................................................................................ ..6
4.2 Information about the calibration procedure.................................................................... ..7
INTRODUCTION
The procedures used in this document, is to ensure that the test and calibration methods are
appropriate for intended use, properly documented, validated and accepted by Greenville
management, personnel in charge and agreed upon by the client. Greenville expects a given
service to provide acceptable measurement results when they request a test or calibration.
Digiflow services must evaluated each method to ensure that it has qualified and competent
staff, equipment and standards with acceptable metrological traceability to perform the test or
calibration

SCOPE
This document contains guidance for test or calibration of self-indicating weighing
instruments (hereafter called “instrument”), in particular for

1. measurements to be performed,
2. calculation of the measuring results,
3. determination of the uncertainty of measurement,
4. contents of calibration certificates.
The object of the calibration is the indication provided by the instrument in response
to an applied load. The results are expressed in units of mass. The value of the load
indicated by the instrument will be affected by local gravity, the load temperature and
density, and the temperature and density of the surrounding air.

The uncertainty of measurement depends significantly on properties of the calibrated

instrument itself, not only on the equipment of the calibrating laboratory; it can to some
extent be reduced by increasing the number of measurements performed for a
calibration. This guideline does not specify lower or upper boundaries for the uncertainty
of measurement.

It is up to the calibrating laboratory and the client to agree on the anticipated value of
The uncertainty of measurement that is appropriate in view of the use of the instrument
and in view of the cost of the calibration.

Any such procedure must include, for a limited number of test loads, the determination
of the error of indication and of the uncertainty of measurement assigned to these errors.
The test procedure should as closely as possible resemble the weighing operations that
are routinely being performed by the user – e.g. weighing discrete loads, weighing
continuously upwards and/or downwards, use of tare balancing function.

The procedure may further include rules how to derive from the results advice to
the user of the instrument with regard to the errors, and assigned uncertainty of
measurement, of indications which may occur under normal conditions of use of the
instrument, and/or rules on how to convert an indication obtained for a weighed object
into the value of mass or conventional value of mass of that object.

The information presented in this guideline is intended to serve, and should be

observed by

1. bodies accrediting laboratories/ companies for the calibration of weighing

instruments,
2. laboratories/companies accredited for the calibration of weighing instruments,
 3. test houses, laboratories, or manufacturers using calibrated weighing
instruments for measurements relevant for the quality of production subject to
QM requirements.

1. TERMINOLOGY AND SYMBOLS

The terminology used in this document is mainly based on existing documents
Such terms are not explained in this document, but where they first appear, references
will be indicated.

2 GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE CALIBRATION

2.1 Elements of the calibration
Calibration consists of

1. applying test loads to the instrument under specified conditions,

2. determining the error or variation of the indication, and
3. Evaluating the uncertainty of measurement to be attributed to the results.

2.1.1 Range of calibration

Unless requested otherwise by the client, a calibration extends over the full weighing
range from zero to maximum capacity Max. The client may specify a certain part of a
weighing range, limited by a minimum load Min  and the largest load to be weighed
Max, or individual nominal loads, for which he requests calibration.
On a multiple range instrument [2] (or [3]), the client should identify which range(s) shall
be calibrated. The paragraph above may be applied to each range separately.

2.1.2 Place of calibration

Calibration is normally performed in the location where the instrument is being used.

If an instrument is moved to another location after the calibration, possible effects from

1. difference in local gravity acceleration,

2. variation in environmental conditions,
3. mechanical and thermal conditions during transportation
Are likely to alter the performance of the instrument and may invalidate the calibration.
Moving the instrument after calibration should therefore be avoided, unless immunity to
these effects of a particular instrument, or type of instrument has been clearly
demonstrated. Where this has not been demonstrated, the calibration certificate should
not be accepted as evidence of traceability.
2.1.3 Preconditions, preparations
Calibration should not be performed unless

1. The instrument can be readily identified,

2. All functions of the instrument are free from effects of contamination or
damage and functions essential for the calibration operate as intended,
3. Presentation of weight values is unambiguous and indications, where given,
are easily readable,
• The normal conditions of use (air currents, vibrations, stability of the
weighing site etc.) are suitable for the instrument to be calibrated,
• The instrument is energized prior to calibration for an appropriate period,
e.g. as long as the warm-up time specified for the instrument, or as set by
the user,
• The instrument is levelled, if applicable,
 • The instrument has been exercised by loading approximately up 10% or
one-third of maximum capacity at least once, repeated loading is
advised.
Instruments that are intended to be regularly adjusted before use should be adjusted
before the calibration, unless otherwise agreed with the client. Adjustment should be
performed with the means that are normally applied by the client, and following the
manufacturer’s instructions where available. Adjustment could be done by means of
external or built-in test loads.

The most suitable operating procedure for high resolution balances (with relative
resolution better 1 × 10 -5 of full scale) is to perform the adjustment of the balance
immediately before the calibration and also immediately before use.

Instruments fitted with an automatic zero-setting device or a zero-tracking device [2] (or
[3]) should be calibrated with the device operative or not, as set by the client.

For onsite calibration the user of the instrument should be asked to ensure that the
normal conditions of use prevail during the calibration. In this way disturbing effects
such as air currents, vibrations, or inclination of the measuring platform will, so far as is
possible, be inherent in the measured values and will therefore be included in the
determined uncertainty of measurement.

2.2 Test load and indication

2.2.1 Test loads

Test loads should preferably consist of standard weights that are traceable to the SI unit
of mass. However, other test loads may be used for tests of a comparative nature – e.g.
test with eccentric loading, repeatability test – or for the mere loading of an instrument
e.g. preloading, tare load that is to be balanced, substitution load.

2.2.2 Standard weights

The traceability of weights to be used as standards shall be demonstrated by calibration.

The maximum permissible errors, or the uncertainties of calibration of the standard

weights, shall be compatible with the scale interval d [2] (or [3]) of the instrument and/or
the needs of the client with regard to the uncertainty of the calibration of the instrument.

3. MEASUREMENT METHODS
Tests are normally performed to determine
the repeatability of indications,
the errors of indications,
The effect of eccentric application of a load on the indicatior.
Linearity test
A Calibration Laboratory deciding on the number of measurements for its routine
calibration procedure should consider that, in general, a larger number of
measurements tends to reduce the uncertainty of measurement but increase the cost.
Details of the tests performed for an individual calibration may be fixed by agreement of
the client and the Calibration Laboratory, in view of the normal use of the
instrument. The parties may also agree on further tests or checks which may assist in
evaluating the performance of the instrument under special conditions of use. Any such
agreement should be consistent with the minimum numbers of tests as specified in the
following sections.
3.1 Repeatability test
The test consists of the repeated deposition of the same load on the load
receptor ,under identical conditions of handling the load and the instrument, and under
constant test conditions.

The test load(s) need not be calibrated nor verified, unless the results serve for the
determination of errors of indication as per 5.2. The test load should, as far as possible,
consist of one single body.

The test is performed with at least one test load which should be selected in a
reasonable relation to Max and the resolution of the instrument, to allow an appraisal of the
instrument performance.
The status of the zero-setting or zero-tracking device if fitted should be recorded.

3.2 Test for errors of indication

This test is performed with different test loads distributed fairly
evenly over the normal weighing range or at individual test points agreed upon as per
4.1.1.

The purpose of this test is an appraisal of the accuracy of the instrument over the whole
weighing range.
Where a significantly smaller range of calibration has been agreed, the number of
test loads may be reduced accordingly, provided there are at least 3 test points
including
Min and Max, and the difference between two consecutive test loads is not greater
than 0,15Max.

It is necessary that test loads consist of appropriate standard weights or of

substitution loads as per 4.3.3.

Prior to the test, the indication is set to zero. The test loads once in one of these manners
are normally applied

1. increasing by steps with unloading between the separate steps – corresponding

to the majority of uses of the instruments for weighing single loads,
2. continuously increasing by steps without unloading between the separate
steps; this may include creep effects in the results but reduces the amount of
loads to be moved on and off the load receptor as compared to 1,
3. continuously increasing and decreasing by steps – procedure prescribed for
verification tests in [2] (or [3]), same comments as for 2,
4. continuously decreasing by steps starting from Max - simulates the use of an
instrument.
 Further tests may be performed to evaluate the performance of the instrument under
special conditions of use, e.g. the indication after a tare balancing operation, the
variation of the indication under a constant load over a certain time, etc.

The test, or individual loadings, may be repeated to combine the test with the
repeatability test under 5.1

3.3 Eccentricity test

The test comprises placing a test load in different positions on the load receptor in
such a manner that the centre of gravity of the applied load takes the positions as
indicated in Figure 5.3-1 or equivalent positions, as closely as possible.

Fig. 3.3-1 Positions of load for test of eccentricity

1. Centre
2. Front left
3. Back left
4. Back right
5. Front right

There may be applications where the test load cannot be placed in or close to the
centre of the load receptor. In this case, it is sufficient to place the test load at the
remaining positions as indicated in Figure 5.3-1. Depending on the platter shape, the
number of the off-centre positions might deviate from figure 5.3-1.

3.4 Linearity Test

To test the entire weighbridge capacity with reference standard weights along with
dummy loads. This testing is quite different from eccentricity test. The balance linearity
test measures the ability of the balance to accurately measure an added weight before
and after non-measured weight has been placed on the balance. The procedure is as
follows
1. Use standard test weights, each of approximately 10% to one-third the weighing
capacity of the instrument.
2. Re-zero display before placing test weights.
3. Place test weight A on the platform (ensure to distribute evenly) and record the
reading on the linearity chart
4. Identify as found deviations when weights are placed on the platform.
A common error in linearity (accuracy) testing is to simply place test weights on the
platform and observe.

3.5 Calibration
Calibration of instrument is different from model to model and manufacturer to
manufacture. Generally, it is a simple procedure described in the user’s manual which
comes with the instrument. This procedure should only be carried out by a trained
personnel. (refer to technical manual).


4.0 CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE
This section contains advice regarding what information may usefully be provided in a
calibration certificate.

4.1 General information

Identification of the calibration laboratory,
reference to the accreditation (accrediting body, number of the accreditation),
identification of the certificate (calibration number, date of issue, number of
pages),signature(s) of authorized person(s).

Identification of the client.

Identification of the calibrated instrument,

information about the instrument (manufacturer, kind of instrument, Max, d, place
of installation).

Warning that the certificate may be reproduced only in full unless the
calibration laboratory permits otherwise in writing.

4.2 Information about the calibration procedure

Date of measurements, site of calibration,
conditions of environment and/or use that may affect the results of the calibration.

Information about the instrument (adjustment performed: internal or external

adjustment and in the case of external adjustment what weight has been used,
any anomalies of functions, setting of software as far as relevant for the calibration,
etc.).

Reference to, or description of the applied procedure, as far as this is not

obvious from the certificate, e.g. constant time interval observed between
loadings and/or readings.

Agreements with the client e.g.

over limited range of calibration, metrological specifications to which
conformity is declared.
 Information about the traceability of the measurement