Shop phrase for an instrument whose calibration has expired, so it is no longer covered by a valid calibration even if it would still pass. Using it on product or customer work creates an audit finding and, in regulated industries, a nonconformance against everything it measured. It differs from out of tolerance, which describes measured performance rather than paperwork status.
Torque wrench on cell 4 has been out of cal since Friday, swap it for one from the crib.
Also heard as
- expired
- overdue
- past due
Related terms
OOT
Out of tolerance, an as-found calibration result outside the instrument's allowed limits.
Cal due
The date by which an instrument must be calibrated again, printed on its sticker and tracked by the recall system.
Cal sticker
The label on a calibrated instrument showing who calibrated it, when, and when the next calibration is due.
Recall
The system that schedules instruments back for calibration before their due date, and the act of calling them in.