N4L products combine market leading accuracy with exceptional stability so that users can be confident in the long term integrity of measurements. While we recommend re-calibration every 12 months, stability over time and a conservative approach to our product specification allows our products to remain within specification for much longer periods of time. This is proven by many N4L customers who, working in accordance with their own ISO9001 certification, are able to select 24 month calibration periods for N4L products they own.

Alongside our UKAS ISO:17025 accreditation which provides voltage, current, phase and power calibration up to 850Hz plus calorimetric power to 2MHz, we have developed a proprietary high frequency multi channel signal generator named the ACC-IV (Automatic Calibration Controller 4). Combined with custom designed amplifiers, the ACC-IV provides high frequency voltage and current sources at a higher signal level than commercially available calibrators and provides N4L with the means to calibrate our power analyzers over a wider frequency range than any other company.

The term “calibration” is commonly used in relation to measurement instrumentation and yet is surprisingly misunderstood.

Common mistakes in understanding range from the belief that a unit will be more accurate after calibration when in fact most conventional calibrations don’t change the accuracy at all, or that any ISO17025 ‘accredited’ calibration will give a greater assurance of accuracy than an ISO17025 ‘traceable’ calibration, which is often not true.

Since N4L offer a wide range of calibration options including ISO17025 accredited calibration with a broader schedule of accreditation than most power metrology laboratories, we can consider the options impartially.

In the document linked to below, we summarize fundamental elements of calibration and the benefit to a user of measurement optimization during any calibration.

Power Measurement Calibration – What makes N4L different?, PDF 371kb

The exceptional detail and accuracy of our calibration is achieved by unique calibration hardware, combined with processes that come from an absolute commitment to best metrology practice. This includes standard calibration with over 200 calibration points at different levels and frequencies to the adjustment points we use for measurement optimization, therefore ensuring linearity of the instrument under test and also the integrity of calibration. An investment in 10 fully automated test systems allows N4L to provide this highest level of calibration with each and every power analyzer we supply.

Summary:

Every power analyzer is supplied from new with two calibration certificates

1. ISO17025 UKAS accredited calibration for Voltage, Current, Phase, Power (including low power for EN50564 and Energy Star) and PF up to 850 Hz.

2. Wideband Calibration certificate traceable to national standards covering up to 500kHz (PPA500), 1MHz (PPA1500/PPA3500) and 2MHz (PPA4500/PPA5500).