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Measure &Test equipment Calibration

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by elchoropi 1 view

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An IT organization is considering going under ISO 9001 QMS certification process.

Services considered are: Network design, installation and administration, as well as PC's and peripherals preventive and corrective maintenance. Needless to say, there are some testing involved to assure quality of services provided, including network signal measuring devices, voltage and amp measuring devices or even an oscilloscope for viedo repair.

My question is: What calibration and/or verification methods are usually considered for these situation?

Thanks

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by thechas

In a nutshell the rules of QS 9000 are that you document what you do, and you follow your proceedures.

I work for an aerospace electronics manufacture.

We are only required to calibrate the equipment used for final product testing, engineeringdesign, and repair of calibrated equipment.

I could see 'limited' logic in setting up a calibration program for IT multi-meters and network diagnostic equipment. But beyond tose, there is little value to be added from regular calibration.

Remember that EVERY piece of equipment that is on a calibration list is an added COST to the company/department.
Not only do you have the cost of calibration, but you have the cost of paperwork for logs and tracking the equipment.

Before starting a calibration program, ask the question "what do we gain by calibrating the equipment?"
And, "what do we risk if we do not calibrate the equipment?"

Rough cost for calibration of meters in the US is $50 - 100 each per year.

I have been through several QS9000 programs. Many QS administrators go overboard and implement a program that is excessive for the company.

The last implementation I went through, the largest task was to standardize, and revise our forms.

We did have some documentation areas that we were lacking. Specifically failure analysis and continuous improvement.

Chas

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