Annual recalibration FAQ
Recalibrating your Alicat meters and controllers ensures they are performing in tip-top shape. In this article, we answer common recalibration questions.
All Alicat meters and controllers should be recalibrated annually to maintain the limited lifetime warranty of the device.
You can find the date of the device’s most recent calibration on the back of the device, or stored in MENU > ABOUT > DEVICE INFO.
Over time, particulate deposits or minor physical changes within the flow body or internal electronics can lead to deviations from the calibrated flow curve. Recalibration brings instruments back to their optimal calibration specifications.
Before recalibration begins, our service technicians double check and log analog signals, settings, sensor health, LCD functionality, and connector threading. The device is then calibrated using NIST-traceable standards, and post-calibration data is logged.
Each recalibrated device is returned to the customer with a NIST-traceable certificate of calibration that includes parameters and conditions related to the calibration.
Service technicians will evaluate the damage and determine repair needs on a case by case basis.
We will not update firmware or reconfigure your device unless specifically requested to do so. Many reconfiguration options are available upon request, from updating the display to changing the flow range.
It typically takes 15 business days after arriving at the factory or service center, however lead time may vary.
We recommend that all devices are returned to an Alicat-approved facility for recalibration. Many devices are recalibrated in our US office, however we also have service centers in China, India, and the Netherlands.
Alicat calibrations evaluate readings at five points within the full scale range of your device: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of full scale. You can also request a custom calibration, for which you choose the specific calibration points and may use more than 5. These readings are compared with readings taken from one of our in-house flow or pressure standards.
When calibrating controllers, additional valve calibration is required. Service technicians often alter the PID tuning of a device to improve control performance.

Typical calibration setup
Fill out a service request form. Once we receive your request, we will issue you an RMA (Return of Materials Authorization) and send you shipping instructions.