> Understanding Calibration Management Terms

The following terms will help you become familiar with the Calibration Management module’s unique attributes:

Term	Definition
Absolute	A type of numeric data related to the specified tolerances. If the specified type is an absolute, the values entered as the tolerance are applied as an absolute value. An absolute value represents the distance of a value from zero. The absolute value to apply for the From tolerance is calculated using the following formula: Standard – From tolerance = Absolute The absolute value to apply for the To tolerance is calculated using the following formula: Standard + To tolerance = Absolute
Calibration	Calibration is the process of comparing the performance of a piece of equipment to a known standard of accuracy. Calibration results in a measurement that documents whether the equipment deviates from the known standard of accuracy or is compliant with the standard. If the equipment is not in compliance with the standard, calibration can also include adjusting the equipment in a manner that results in the instrument’s compliance with the known standard.
Default set	The default set of calibration test points that apply to calibration work orders/PM work orders
Deviation	The difference between the device reading and the standard
Device	A type of equipment requiring calibration.
Device tolerance	The allowable deviation from the standard for the device being used to perform the calibration measurement. A specified device tolerance indicates the range of variation permitted in maintaining adherence to the standard for the device.
Increment	The increment specifies the numeric interval of which the Device reading must be evenly divisible. For example, if you specify Increment of 5, you must enter a Device reading that is evenly divisible by 5, such as 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc.
Instrument	A type of equipment requiring calibration
Instrument type	Indicates the type of instrument. In Datastream 7i, there are three instrument types: Accessory—An instrument is secondary or subordinate within the loop. Standard applied to—An instrument within a loop to which a standard is applied during calibration. Reading taken from—An instrument within a loop from which a reading is taken during calibration.
Loop	A series of one or more instruments requiring and/or used for calibration that are linked together in some manner. Calibration loops are much like systems in Datastream 7i in that a loop consists of parent-child relationships between instruments. If you create a calibration work order for a loop, Datastream 7i copies the loop test point setup data to the loop instruments defined as type Reading taken from.
Output	The reading or measurement produced by the calibration measurement at a calibration point. The output can also be the expected reading if the output unit of measure is different from the input unit of measure.
Output range	The allowable deviation from the standard for the output that indicates the range of variation permitted to adhere to the standard for the test point.
Percentage	A type of numeric data related to the specified tolerance. If the type is a percentage, then the numeric values entered for the tolerance are applied to each test point as a percent value. The percentage value to apply for the From tolerance is calculated using the following formula: Standard – (Standard x From tolerance/100) = Percentage The percentage value to apply for the To tolerance is calculated using the following formula: Standard + (Standard x To tolerance/100) = Percentage
Precision	The maximum number of decimals allowed to the right of the decimal point for a reading. The precision indicates the degree of refinement with which the calibration is performed or the calibration measurement is stated.
Process range	The reading or measurement produced by the calibration measurement process at a calibration point
Process tolerance	The allowable deviation from the standard for the process that indicates the range of variation permitted to adhere to the standard for the test point
Sequence	Indicates the order in which the test points should be calibrated
Service percentage	The service percentage indicates the reading at which an "alert" is given for the calibration technician indicating that recalibration may be necessary. Service percentages should fall within device tolerance limits. If you specify a service percentage, Datastream 7i will change the passing status to Recalibrate if the deviation is greater than the percentage specified as the allowable tolerance, but less than or equal to the device tolerance.
Set	A number assigned to identify a group of test points
Test point	The actual point (calibration point) at which the accuracy of the equipment is tested to the known standard. A piece of equipment that requires calibration may consist of numerous test points.
Test point range	The numeric values indicating the acceptable range for the test point, e.g., 10 to 20. The values identify the upper and lower limits of the standard for the test point. The test point reading must fall within this range for the test point to pass.