Note on Beckhoff calibration certificates

Basically every Beckhoff analog device (input or output) will be justified i.e. will be calibrated during production. However, this process is not documented individually. This documentation in the form of a calibration certificate is only provided for devices that are explicitly supplied with a certificate.

The calibration certificate indicates the remaining deviation from the standard used (reference device) after adjustment. The calibration certificate (as a PDF document) can be assigned to the device via a unique number. It is therefore not a statement about a device class, such as an approval, but only applies to an individual, named device. It is available for download from the Beckhoff website.

The calibration certificate documents the measuring accuracy at the time the certificate was issued and includes information about the ambient conditions and the reference device used. It contains no statement about the behavior or the change of measuring accuracy in the future. A calibration certificate is used to review the previous period of use. If the calibration process is repeated several times over several years (without readjusting the device), it allows conclusions to be drawn about the aging behavior, the so-called calibration history.

Performance levels of the calibration certificates

Different "qualities" of a calibration certificate are common:

• Beckhoff factory working standard calibration certificates
  These IP20 terminals can usually be recognized by the product suffix -0020.
  The device-specific certificate is issued by Beckhoff as a PDF. It is available for download on the Beckhoff website. The terminals can be obtained from Beckhoff and recalibrated via the Beckhoff service.
• ISO17025 calibration certificates
  These IP20 terminals can usually be recognized by the suffix -0030.
  The device-specific certificate is issued by a service provider on behalf of Beckhoff as part of Beckhoff production and delivered by Beckhoff as a PDF. For the initial calibration (newly delivered terminals), it is available for download on the Beckhoff website. The terminals can be obtained from Beckhoff, recalibration must be carried out directly by the service provider (see details in the certificate).
• DAkkS calibration certificates (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH)
  These IP20 terminals can usually be recognized by the suffix -0030.
  The device-specific certificate is issued by a service provider on behalf of Beckhoff as part of Beckhoff production and delivered by Beckhoff as a PDF. For the initial calibration (newly delivered terminals), it is available for download on the Beckhoff website. The terminals can be obtained from Beckhoff, recalibration must be carried out directly by the service provider (see details in the certificate).

Unique device number

Depending on the device, the following numbers are used for identification:

• EL/ELM terminals up to year of manufacture 2020: the ID number lasered on the side.

Fig.67: ID number

• From year of manufacture 2021 onwards, the BTN number (Beckhoff Traceability Number) will gradually replace the ID number, this is also lasered on the side.

Beckhoff produces a wide range of analog input/output devices as IP20 terminals or IP67 boxes. A selection is also available with factory/ISO/DAkkS calibration certificates. For specific details and availability, please refer to the technical data of the devices or contact Beckhoff Sales.

Linguistic note In American English, "calibration" or "alignment" is understood to mean compensation/adjustment, thus a modifying effect on the device. "Verification", on the other hand, refers to observational determination and documentation of the residual error, referred to in German as Kalibrierung.