The calibration certificate is the official document of record for instrument calibration and provides traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The accuracy and completeness of the calibration certificate itself is reflective of the validity and credibility of the calibrating organization.

Both Accredited Calibrations and Traceable Calibrations include a Calibration Certificate that accompanies the instrument when it is returned to its owner.

The calibration certificate documents essential information about the instrument's condition, and also provides details about out-of-tolerance conditions, special measurement conditions, and more. Each certificate includes a serial number that associates one calibration with one instrument. This document may be required by the end-users of products tested with the instrument, especially in the case of government contracts.

Calibration certificate formats will vary by geographical location and local government regulations. Most Tektronix certificates will include the following information:

• Dates and environmental conditions at the time of calibration
• Received Condition
  • In tolerance/meets all specifications
  • Operational failure, includes a description of the failure
  • Out of tolerance, includes a description of the out of tolerance condition
• Returned Condition
  • In tolerance/meets all specifications
  • Meets limited or special specifications (customer request only)
• Traceability statement
• Identification of the standards used during calibration. Associates specific traceable instruments with this certificate.
• Calibration procedure used, including revision level if applicable.
• Calibration interval and source of recommendation: Tektronix or customer. Accredited calibration certificates do not identify a calibration due date.
• Contact information for inquiries about this Certificate

Calibration Certificate FAQs

What is the difference between a Standard (Traceable) Calibration Certificate and Accredited Calibration Certificate?

Standard (Traceable) Calibration Certificate: Instrumentation is calibrated to specifications with traceable standards. A full data report is optional with the calibration certificate. Accredited Calibration Certificate: meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and the lab’s accrediting body. The unit under test is calibrated in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 within the supplier’s approved scope of accreditation. Accredited calibrations provide a certificate of calibration with the accrediting body’s logo on the document. The calibration date is on the certificate; the calibration due date is only placed on the document when specified by the customer or contractually agreed. A traceability statement is provided as well as measurement data and uncertainty data for each parameter tested during the calibration.

Why is uncertainty in measurement important?

It’s about risk. All measurements (ruler, electrometer, thermometer, etc.) have some degree of uncertainty in the measurement. What variability in measurement is acceptable? If a measurement tolerance is .01 and the level of uncertainty in measurement is .001, the risk is relatively low. If the tolerance and uncertainty were reversed, the calibration would be inadequate and would provide a high level of risk to the user. The level of uncertainty allows an informed decision to be made about the acceptability of measurements.

What do different measurement test data types mean (ie: “as found”, “before” data, “as left” and “after” data)?

There are several different measurement test data types that can be included on a calibration certificate, the primary ones being: “As Found” or “Before” Data: Calibration data that is documented during the calibration and before the unit is adjusted and/or repaired. This data is critical to support any necessary customer investigation in the event that Out of Tolerance conditions are detected during the calibration. “As Left” or “After” Data: Calibration data that is documented during the calibration performed after the unit is adjusted and/or repaired. 

What do you do with a calibration certificate once you receive it?

Most companies file the calibration certificate as a historical record. However, some enter the certificate data into a local database that they use to track the status of their test equipment inventory. CalWeb®, Tektronix industry-leading calibration software, is the official repository of all calibration records for calibrations that Tektronix performs, whether the calibration is done within the Tektronix network or through an approved outside vendor. CalWeb is a value-added service available to every Tektronix customer. Learn more about CalWeb at tek.com/calweb

Why Choose Tektronix for Calibration Service?

• Calibration services for equipment from 9,000-plus manufacturers—far more than just Tektronix!
• Extensive global service network—more than 100 points of service.
• Superior quality—181 ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation parameters.
• 1,100-plus associates—highly skilled technicians and sales representatives.