Why Your Instrument's Battery Life Matters for Accurate Calibrations.

When it comes to calibration, every detail counts, including something as seemingly minor as your instrument's battery life. Understanding how this often-overlooked factor can significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of your calibration results is essential.

Portable devices are increasingly common in various industries, offering the convenience of mobility. However, this convenience could come with a hidden cost. If your device is not a true ratio metric device, or if the battery voltage dips below the optimal operating range, your force-measurement device's output might change, affecting the calibration accuracy.

Our team recently tested a 250,000 lbf crane scale paired with a handheld load indicator, a setup relying on three AA batteries. Rather than using fresh batteries, we calibrated the device as it was presented to our lab, aiming to replicate real-world conditions.

We performed a standard calibration without altering the device's setup. Then, without moving the device, we replaced the old batteries with new ones and repeated the calibration.

The results were eye-opening. We observed a 700 lbf difference at maximum capacity – a 0.28 % variance in load reading simply by changing the batteries. This variance surpassed the device's stated tolerance of ± 0.1 % of Full Scale.

This experiment underscores a critical point: the state of your device's batteries can push it out of tolerance without any visible warning signs. For devices with a narrow tolerance window, even a slight drop in battery voltage can render your measurements inaccurate.

To ensure the highest standards, Morehouse calibrates instruments with a fresh set of fully charged batteries, which are then shipped back with your instruments. While most devices operate adequately on a lesser charge, the exceptions concern us. Providing new batteries with each calibration is our commitment to delivering the most reliable and accurate results possible.

Learn more in our blog post, Battery Life May Impact Your Calibration Results. https://mhforce.com/battery-life-may-impact-your-calibration-results/

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