DID YOU KNOW?

NIST Certificates aren’t the same as calibration reports

Understanding NIST Certificates for FLOMEC Turbine Meters

Calibration reports come standard, while NIST Certificates provide traceable certified accuracy.

For applications that require documented precision, a NIST Certificate offers added confidence beyond standard calibration data.

"Did You Know?"
Understanding NIST Certificates for FLOMEC Turbine Flow Meters

Did you know that almost all FLOMEC turbine flow meters, including the G2, A1, TM, and G3A Series, come standard with a Calibration Report, except for our 01 Series economy meters? Even more useful, FLOMEC also offers optional, extra-cost NIST Certificates for these flow meters.

What’s the difference between the two, and why might you need a NIST Certificate?

Calibration Report: What You Get

Every FLOMEC turbine flow meter undergoes a full calibration before leaving our facility. During this process, each meter is tested at several flow rates within its specified range:

  • G2, TM & G3A Series: Tested at 5 flow rates
  • A1 Series: Tested at 3 flow rates

We capture the raw pulse data, verify that it meets the product’s stated accuracy, program it into the display, and then generate your Calibration Report.

Why Test at Several Flow Rates?

Flow meters don’t always behave the same across their entire range. The linearity, or how closely the meter’s output matches the actual flow, can shift at different flow rates. By testing at multiple calibrated points:

  • We see how the meter performs across its full range.
  • We improve overall accuracy by identifying and correcting small variations in linearity.
  • You get a more reliable and predictable meter, no matter where it operates in the flow range.

Why it matters:
You can use this data to program your own equipment, such as PLCs, data loggers, and batch controllers, ensuring they are aligned to the meter’s pulse output.

NIST Certificate: When You Need Certified Accuracy

NIST stands for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. agency responsible for maintaining national measurement standards.

A NIST Certificate goes beyond a standard Calibration Report. It certifies the accuracy of the meter by ensuring that the equipment's calibration is traceable through an unbroken chain of comparisons back to NIST standards. This traceability is the formal proof that your calibration is accurate and compliant.

Who needs it?
Industries that require certified measurement accuracy. For example, the pharmaceutical industry often mandates NIST-traceable certification.

Key Difference at a Glance

  • Calibration Report: A record of the flow meter’s calibration data. This report is accurate and useful, but not a certificate.
  • NIST Certificate: Formal certification of accuracy, backed by traceability to national standards.

If your operations require certified documentation, choosing a NIST Certificate is the right move.

How Long Is a NIST Certificate Valid?

A NIST Certificate reflects the flow meter’s accuracy on the day it was certified. It does not determine how long the calibration remains valid. Instead, your organization sets calibration intervals based on its quality system (ISO, QA program, etc.).

Typical industry calibration intervals:

  • 12 months – most common
  • 6 months – high precision applications

Need Recertification? We’ve Got You Covered.

FLOMEC offers recertification for all flow meters we manufacture. Many customers send their meters in at scheduled intervals for evaluation and renewed NIST certification. If repairs are needed during recertification, we can handle them as well.

A note about “as-found” data:
We can only provide as-left (post calibration) data. Returned meters must be cleaned before calibration. This means true “as-found” data cannot be collected. If you require “as-found” results, we recommend using a third party calibration laboratory.