Valve testing is crucial, providing confidence that valves are operating efficiently and safely. Regular calibration is required to guarantee systems and sensors gather accurate data when testing valves.

Sensors are designed to collect and analyze data from Motor-Operated Valves (MOV), Air-Operated Valves (AOV), and Check Valves (CV). While these products are effective at analyzing valve data for the duration of the plant’s life and meeting regulatory site requirements, they require regular calibration to do so effectively.

Calibration is the process of establishing a device’s ability to meet the stated accuracy of a measurement. In this case referring to the calibration of sensors and systems for the diagnostic testing of valves. This is done by comparing results to a reference standard, traceable to The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which ensures reliable and accurate measurements.

Systems and sensors can lose proper calibration with time due to damage, electronic drift, and physical wear. Calibration ensures that the readings provided by the diagnostic systems and sensors are accurate. It’s crucial for the sensors to provide accurate results on pressure, flow rate, and temperature, among other things, in order to know if the valves are performing as intended. Sensors that are not calibrated within the recommended time frame can lead to incorrect data, which can cause failures and inefficiencies, compromising safety and compliance with standards. Properly calibrated sensors and diagnostic systems can ultimately reduce the costs of wear and tear compared to valves that have been functioning improperly. Calibrated sensors also help prolong the equipment’s life as they can identify issues early on before it’s too late to address them.

If using our products, most should be calibrated annually, with some exceptions such as the C- Clamp, D-Clamps, and nuC™ Force Sensor, which need to be calibrated every six months.

Crane Nuclear has long been a pioneer in valve diagnostics, offering not only a comprehensive valve diagnostic system, but also the largest selection of sensors. Crane Nuclear offers calibration services for all of our diagnostic equipment, with expedited services available upon request. In 2023, we calibrated 1,600 sensors and systems combined. With a state-of-the-art calibration lab, our qualified technicians ensure that your diagnostic systems and sensors are working accurately within the proper fluctuations.