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Calibration · Glossary

What is Drift?

change over timeCalibration

Drift is a slow change in an instrument reading over time when the input stays the same.

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Drift Explained

Ageing of sensors, electronics and seals causes drift. Makers state it as long term stability, for example % of URL over a number of years.

Trending as found results shows real drift and supports calibration interval decisions.

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Calculators for Drift

CalculatorCalibration Interval CalculatorFree online calculator with formula and worked example.CalculatorCalibration Error CalculatorFree online calculator with formula and worked example.

Free Downloads

Free downloadCalibration Master List Format in Excel with Due Date TrackerFree download in Excel and PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Drift?

Drift is a slow change in an instrument reading over time when the input stays the same.

Is drift the same as noise?

No. Noise is fast fluctuation; drift is slow, steady change.

Does temperature cause drift?

Temperature causes shifts that may look like drift; true drift remains at constant conditions.

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Calibration interval determination: ISO 9001 and industry best practices

A practical guide on instrumentationblog.in with more detail on drift and how it is applied on real plants.

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Related Terms

Calibration termCalibration IntervalA calibration interval is the time between scheduled calibrations, set so the instrument is likely to…Calibration termAs Found and As LeftAs found and as left are the calibration readings taken before any adjustment (as found) and after…Calibration termZero and Span ErrorZero and span error describe an instrument whose reading is offset at the bottom of the range (zero) or…

More Calibration Terms

Calibration termCalibration CurveA calibration curve is a fitted relationship between instrument reading and true value, used to correct…Calibration termCalibration CorrectionA calibration correction is the value added to an instrument reading to obtain the corrected value; it is…Calibration termCalibration CertificateA calibration certificate is a formal document reporting calibration results, the reference used,…Calibration termISO/IEC 17025ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.Calibration termCalibrationCalibration is the comparison of an instrument reading with a known reference standard, recording the…Calibration termAccuracyAccuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value; in specifications it is the maximum expected error.

All calibration terms · Full glossary A to Z

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