How often should Eddy Current Testing equipment be calibrated?

Calibration of Eddy Current Testing equipment is essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of inspection results. The correct approach is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for calibration frequency or to adhere to specific intervals outlined in established practices or standards. This ensures that the equipment maintains its performance characteristics and can detect flaws reliably over time.

Regular calibration helps account for any changes in the equipment's performance that might occur due to wear and tear, environmental conditions, or changes in the testing environment. By calibrating according to manufacturer guidelines or industry standards, operators can ensure consistency in results and adherence to safety and quality protocols.

The options that suggest calibration only when first being used or on a rigid annual schedule without consideration of actual usage may not align with best practices for maintaining accuracy. Additionally, dismissing the need for calibration altogether undermines the integrity of the testing process and places reliance on potentially outdated measurements, which can lead to incorrect conclusions about material integrity.