Differences Observed in Calibration Results

Updated Jul 30, 2026

Reported In

Hardware

  • Calibration

Software

  • Calibration Executive

Issue Details

I recently had my NI device calibrated and saw that the results and limits are different from the last time the device was calibrated. I want to understand why the calibration results differ from the previous calibration service.

Solution

Calibration test results can change between calibration executions because R&D and Metrology teams may periodically update the test procedure or modify the limits used for a specific module.
 
To determine whether a procedure update affected the results:
  1. Open the Calibration Executive User Manual.
  2. Review the New Features and Changes section for the version being used.
    • This section lists the devices for which there are new or updated calibration procedures.
  3. For additional details on the calibration updates, open Calibration Exectutive and select the device in question
  4. Open Help>>About Procedure for the device.
  5. Review the procedure details provided for the device.
    • This information contains additional details about procedure changes that may explain differences in calibration results from previous executions.
    • For example, here's the changelist for the NI 9220 which states that the test limits have been updated in Calibration Exectutive version 6.4.0.0
If calibration results differ from prior records, compare the Calibration Executive version and procedure information to identify whether updates to the procedure or limits were introduced between calibration sessions.

Additional Information

Procedure and limit updates are version-dependent. Reviewing both the New Features and Changes section and Help>>About Procedure helps determine whether a change in the calibration methodology contributed to the observed result differences.