In a 1-point calibration, a single point is selected for verification in the mid-range of the data logger or chart recorder. For most models this means ambient temperature (about 75oF or 24oC) and a 40% relative humidity (rH). A 1-Point calibration tells you that your instrument is highly accurate at that one point. A 1-point calibration is not a full-scale calibration and does not validate accuracy at other points. In fact, tuning an instrument to a single point tends to pull it out of range at other points. The farther a point is from the verified, validated one-point the greater is the probability that it is less accurate.
t3-Point calibrations are used to validate a high-medium-low points in the data logger or chart recorder, covering the full operating range of the instrument. High-medium-low points are verified repeatedly, because when one tunes the instrument at one point it will very frequently pull the instrument out-of-range at another point.Calibration technicians go back and forth between high-medium-low points as many times as necessary to re-tune the data logger or chart recorder until it is verified and validated over the full range of the instrument. 3-Point calibrations take more time and therefore are more expensive.
If your application requires accuracy in a small range at the midpoint of your data logger or chart recorder's range a 1-Point calibration will suffice.
If your data logger or chart recorder needs to be accurate over a wider range of conditions, a 3-Point calibration is required. This would include environments that cycle. Typically data loggers and chart recorders that are used in refrigerators, freezers, or warm environments such as autoclaves and incubators require 3-Point Calibrations.
If your application only requires accuracy at one point that is not in the mid-range you are best served by a Custom Point Plus 1-Point calibration.
The most demanding applications with the highest requirements for accuracy can have super sure highly accurate calibrations when a custom point is added to a 3-point calibration. This custom point gives added assurance that the data logger or chart recorder is accurate AT THAT POINT in addition to the 3-Point calibration tuning the instrument over its full range.