How to choose the right calibration points?

Published 2025-05-30

Regular calibration of measuring instruments is a quality assurance and at the same time a regulatory requirement in some activities. But at what temperature or humidity values should you calibrate your loggers and instruments? Here we give you tips on how to choose the right calibration points and tell you about our standard calibrations adapted for different industries.

What is a calibration point?

A calibration point is a specific measurement value – such as a temperature or humidity value – where you check and document how accurately an instrument measures compared to a high-accuracy reference equipment. Calibrating an instrument at one or more specific points allows the user to keep track of the instrument’s “correct” readings.

Who is responsible for selecting calibration points?

The choice of calibration points is always your responsibility as a customer. You can never leave that decision to the calibration laboratory. In the event of an audit or official inspection, for example, it is important to be able to show that the selected points are relevant to how and where the logger or instrument is used in your business.

Think about your own business:

• Where is the instrument used?
• What temperature or humidity levels are critical?
• At what values is it important that the measurement is extra accurate?

Example 1: Are you using a thermometer just to check that chicken is sufficiently cooked (+72°C)? Then it is often sufficient to calibrate the instrument at that temperature.
Example 2: If you measure the temperature of food in different environments (e.g. -18°C, +5°C and +120°C)? Then you need to calibrate at several points within that range.
Example 3: Do you use humidity loggers in construction projects or for indoor climate control? Then you should choose calibration points that reflect critical moisture levels in your business (e.g. 33% RH and 75% RH).

This is why we have developed standard points

Many customers in the food, construction and real estate sectors use loggers and instruments in similar conditions. To make it easier for them, we therefore offer calibration at two to three standard points that match the most common needs of each industry.

✅ It saves time
✅ It makes it easy to comply with industry requirements
✅ It provides calibration certificates that you can present at audit

Our standard calibrations

• -18, ±0, +60 °C (food industry)
• ±0, +20, +60 °C (construction and building industry)
• 11, 75 %RH at 23 °C (manufacturing and building operations)
• 11, 40, 75 %RH at 23°C (manufacturing and building operations)

Can I get help to choose?

Yes! Our calibration experts are happy to answer questions and provide advice on calibration points, whether they are standard points or you are considering choosing your own measurement points. All to provide you with calibrated measurement equipment that meets both internal quality requirements and external regulations.

To sum up:

✔ Choose calibration points that match how the instrument is used
✔ You are responsible for the choice of points – not the calibration lab
✔ Our standard points fit common measurement needs in different industries
✔ Not sure? We answer questions and guide you!

👉 Learn more about our calibration services

Do you have any questions?
Email Lab and Calibration Manager Maria Almestål and she will get back to you as soon as possible.
maria.almestal@nordtec.se