Products Solutions Services

On-site versus lab calibration

Technical article
2 On-site versus lab calibration

First-rate quality and manageable energy costs —

thanks to on-site or laboratory calibration

Food safety, consistently high quality and efficient production procedures

are an absolute must in the food and beverages industry. The prerequisite
for achieving this is the use of regularly calibrated measuring technology for
inline quality control and process control. While on-site calibration reduces
process interruptions, in cases where a high degree of measuring accuracy
is required, a laboratory calibration is the number one choice. There are
advantages and disadvantages to both methods.
 Technical article 3

Consumers are relentless quality controllers. They are quick devices, the user generally has a choice between an on-
to spot and rarely tolerant of any changes to the color or site calibration (i.e. a calibration performed directly at the
consistency of their favorite ketchup or preferred jam. This plant) or a laboratory calibration. When it comes to the
poses a threat to brand loyalty. When it comes to beer and latter, Endress+Hauser offers two alternatives: calibration
juices too, a preferred brand is always expected to look and in a Calibration and Service Center or at the factory. A
taste the same. Statutory regulations such as IFS Food and laboratory calibration is always essential in cases where a
GMP as well as concepts such as HACCP (hazard analysis particularly low degree of measuring uncertainty is required.
and critical control points) add to the pressure, with quality This is where the limitations of on-site procedures often
requirements for food and beverages and the associated become apparent. On the other hand, on-site procedures
production processes becoming even more stringent in are significantly quicker to complete, thus ensuring shorter
recent decades. While automated systems make it easier to periods of system downtime.
meet these requirements, each process is only as accurate
as the measuring and analysis technology used to control Higher levels of accuracy in laboratories Strict accuracy
it and/or to indicate deviations in product quality. Wear, requirements are not the only argument in favor of
drift or dirt can give rise to inaccurate measurements. It calibrating in a lab. Depending on the particular measuring
is therefore important to calibrate the affected measuring parameter, on-site calibrations are also restricted in terms
devices regularly to ensure that they are functioning correctly. of calibration ranges. When a laboratory calibration is
Calibration determines the extent to which the measured performed in the Service Center or at the factory, larger
value deviates from the reference value, which is based on calibration ranges and lower measuring uncertainties can
standards. If the tolerance (MPE, maximum permissible be achieved.
error) is exceeded, the device may need to be adjusted,
repaired or replaced. According to ISO 9001:2015 Paragraph
7.1.5, it must be ensured that measuring devices fulfill the 0.00

actual purpose for which they were intended and that they do Calibration Certificate

so on an ongoing basis. In addition, this standard requires the Endress+Hauser Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 16 Giffnock Ave, Macquarie Park NSW 2113, Australia

provision of appropriate documentary evidence. Tel: +61 2 8877 7000 Fax: +61 2 8877 7099
Certified ISO 9001:2015 Registration number: QEC27036
Certificate n°
Calibration date
CAL-0000001619
12/07/2019

Customer information Calibration location

Company name Endress+Hauser Australia Pty Ltd Company name ENDRESS+HAUSER AUSTRALIA - VIC
Endress+Hauser Australia Pty Ltd Address Building C, 211 Wellington Road

Savings potential resulting from reliable measuring Address

Zip-Code/City
16 Giffnock Avenue, Macquarie Park
2113 NSW
Zip-Code/City
Contact person
3170 MULGRAVE
Steve Street

technology Professional calibration also provides the Unit Under Test (UUT)
Model 8I5B80-15H4/0
Measuring range
Calibration range
0
220
to
to
180,000 kg/h
2,500 kg

basis for unlocking savings potential in energy-intensive Serial n°

Manufacturer
N204C302000
Endress+Hauser
Deviation / MPE / Uncertainty specified as a % of reading

processes. In CIP systems or heaters, temperature

Parameter Mass
Medium Water

deviations resulting from inaccurate measured values

Standards used
Description Serial n° Certificate n° Calibration date Due date
NSW Compact Flow rig H1000163000 10880092/10880079/1088 14/05/2019 14/05/2020

would compromise product quality. This also applies to NSW Compact Flow rig Promass 83F50 DN50 LC080202000
0002
10880002 14/05/2019 14/05/2020

UHT systems where an inexact temperature measurement Calibration SOP's used

SOP n° SOP description

would compromise the energy efficiency of the process.

QP01005H/88/EN Standard Operating Procedure for on site Calibration of liquid flow measurement devices

Calibration values "as left"

Exact monitoring of the dosage of cleaning agents is also

Test point Reference flow Time Reference UUT value Deviation* ± MPE
rate value
kg/h s kg kg % %

essential. Moreover, in the face of rising energy costs,

1 2,642.17680 300 220.1814 218.594 -0.7210 1.000
2 7,428.58320 300 619.0486 616.500 -0.4117 0.700
3 15,075.93336 300 1,256.3278 1,252.813 -0.2798 0.500

suitably high levels of accuracy should be a priority. 4

5
22,482.08560
30,086.11560
300
300
1,873.6738
2,507.1763
1,869.000
2,501.047
-0.2494
-0.2445
0.500
0.500

In order to guarantee product quality and production

*Deviation between UUT value and Reference value

efficiency, but also to allow them to focus on their core

1.20

0.80

competency of food production, many operators enlist

0.40
Deviation*

0.00
220.1814 619.0486 1,256.3278 1,873.6738 2,507.1763
-0.40

the services of an accredited calibration service provider. -0.80

-1.20

Endress+Hauser’s Calibration Service teams work UUT Conformity UUT conforms UUT does not conform

independently of manufacturer and in accordance with Remarks

Single point density adjustment was performed.

uniform SOPs (standard operating procedures) worldwide.

K-Factor was adjusted:
As Found K-Factor 1.8228 ; As Left K-Factor 1.7934
This calibration certificate documents the traceability to national standards, which states the units of measurement according to International System of Units

In addition, all of the test equipment used is traceable to

(SI). This calibration certificate should not be published or reproduced other than in full. The measurement results and the statement of compliance with
specification only relate to the instrument calibrated. Compliance with specification is stated without taking into account measurement uncertainty.

national reference standards. Accreditation ensures that

calibration complies with ISO/IEC 17025; this certifies not
Service Technician Print date 17/07/2019
Signature

only the traceability of the test equipment, but also the

competence of the technicians performing the calibration, Version 3.00.006 Cal This is the end of the certificate Page 1/1

who work in compliance with GMP. With many measuring

4 On-site versus lab calibration

At the ISO/IEC17025 accredited Service Center in Germany

and in the likewise accredited calibration facilities in China,
France, Great Britain, India, Japan, USA and Switzerland,
Endress+Hauser provides traceable calibration with
maximum accuracy based on reliable calibration technology
that is identical worldwide. One of the systems used for
flow calibration is the PremiumCal, which features high-
precision load cells and detects weight differences ranging
from less than 1 g up to 400 kg. Endress+Hauser also
offers special density calibration with different media, thus
achieving accuracies of ± 0.0005 g/cm³.

A further advantage of laboratory calibration compared

to on-site calibration is the extremely broad test coverage
achieved in the Calibration and Service Center or at the
factory. Once they have identified the DUT (designation,
manufacturer, serial number), the on-site calibration team only necessary in the case of extreme requirements, such
simply performs a general visual and function test, thus as flowmeters with particularly large nominal diameters.
ensuring the calibratability of the DUT. In a laboratory, Temperature measuring devices, which users themselves
however, the device is examined very carefully in accordance use as a reference, sometimes need to be calibrated at the
with the service manual. This examination ranges from factory in order to achieve the particularly high degree of
comprehensive preliminary testing of the transmitter accuracy required.
electrics to insulation testing and resistance measurements
and an endoscopic inspection of a measuring tube, if one On-site calibration ensures high levels of availability
is present. Finally, the device settings are checked and any If the minimum measuring uncertainty and the calibration
missing or defective small parts (terminals, nameplate) are range required are such that it is possible to choose between
repaired or replaced. This appeals to users who want their a laboratory calibration and an on-site calibration, the short
measuring devices to undergo a thorough inspection as part process interruptions associated with the latter are often the
of the calibration process. deciding factor. The fact that Endress+Hauser’s Calibration
Service operates independently of manufacturer also saves
Factory calibration for large nominal diameters and time and reduces costs.
reference devices If the calibration ranges or accuracies
covered in the Service Center are not sufficient, the Since transportation time is eliminated with an on-site
device can be recalibrated at one of the manufacturing calibration, the process usually takes just a few hours.
facilities. While thermometers can be calibrated on-site For flowmeters, the on-site calibration process lasts two
from –30 °C, Endress+Hauser covers a range of –196 °C to to four hours, for example. In some cases, the measuring
660 °C (for resistance thermometers) or up to 1550 °C (for device does not even need to be removed but can instead be
thermocouples) at its factory. In the case of conductivity, calibrated using an inline procedure, which also saves time.
calibration can be performed either on-site or at the This requires a bypass or alternative adaptation solutions in
factory, with the latter option catering for considerably the process. The optimum solution is when the calibration
larger measuring ranges of up to 5 mS/cm. is performed onsite while the plant is shut down to allow
for scheduled maintenance. This requires the calibration
Throughput times in the Service Center run to approximately team to use special traceable reference devices, which meet
48 hours. If the measuring device is not contaminated, an the strict hygiene requirements of the food industry and its
express calibration is also possible. A period of 24 hours demands for cleanability.
should be factored in for this. On the other hand, users
who opt for calibration at a factory often have to wait Another argument in favor of onsite calibration is that
considerably longer for their device. In addition to the it takes place under real environmental conditions, thus
time required for shipping and transportation, there can improving precision in practice. Many users also appreciate
be a processing time of up to two weeks depending on the the opportunity to talk to the technician performing the
plant’s workload. A calibration at the factory is usually calibration, to ask questions and observe him while he works.
 Technical article 5

Even greater time-savings with inline calibration With

onsite calibrations performed offline, the plant operators
are usually responsible for removing the DUT. They must
also ensure that certain basic technical conditions are
satisfied. For example, in order to calibrate a flowmeter,
the technician requires a sufficient supply of water and
a drain. In a mobile calibration station, a high-precision
Coriolis measuring device that has been calibrated with
traceability is used as the reference standard. With time-
saving inline procedures, which are performed using
water or process medium, it is possible to inspect an
individual measuring device or an entire loop. For example,
Endress+Hauser, offers an inspection package for energy
and steam measuring points that includes both verification
and calibration. This makes it possible to calculate the total
accuracy, thus ensuring accurate billing of energy costs.
keep operating costs low as possible. This in turn benefits
All process parameters, such as pressure and temperature, not just quality managers but also maintenance personnel.
can be calibrated onsite independently of the manufacturer. After all, reliable measuring technology guarantees
stable processes and increases availability. Global food
Calibration guarantees food safety Regardless of producers are not obliged to take any risks, since they can
whether calibration is performed onsite or in a lab, rely on a calibration service that operates in accordance
a calibration performed by a service technician with with the same SOPs everywhere and therefore ensures
many years of experience in the food industry and consistently high quality. With its clear documentation, a
process automation not only benefits auditors working professional calibration makes the next audit much more
in the context of quality or energy management; it also straightforward. Furthermore, customers purchasing food
guarantees first-rate product quality and food safety. In or drink products can look forward to long-lasting products
addition, it contributes to efficient processes and helps to that are perfectly healthy and taste just as they should.

On-site versus laboratory calibration

On-site calibration: Laboratory calibration in Calibration and Service

Center or at factory:
Advantages Advantages
• Short periods of downtime, since measuring devices • High degree of calibration accuracy under laboratory
can be used again after two to four hours conditions
• Learning opportunity for system operators and • Very low measuring uncertainties
maintenance staff due to interaction with service • Extended calibration ranges (max. ranges available at
technician factory)
• High precision in practice, since calibration is • Broad test coverage, since DUT undergoes detailed
performed under real conditions (inline calibration) testing and inspection prior to calibration
• Complete loop can be tested and calibrated

Disadvantages Disadvantages
• Smaller calibration ranges/smaller measuring ranges • Disruptions to system operation are necessary in the
than in lab longer term
• Higher measuring uncertainties compared to lab • Additional time required to ship the DUT
procedure • Process connections and installation dimensions must
• For inline calibration, technical conditions must be be known in advance
known and available on-site (bypass, adaptation
solutions)
www.addresses.endress.com
PU01332H/99/EN/01.19