Do I need to calibrate my sensors before using them?

Currently, FieldKit Weather and FieldKit Distance modules do not require you to calibrate them before use (i.e. they ship pre-calibrated from the lab).

FieldKit Water modules (pH, Water Temperature, Conductivity, and Dissolved Oxygen) may or may not require you to calibrate them before deployment, as they are sometimes pre-calibrated in the lab prior to shipment. To tell if your FieldKit Water hardware has been pre-calibrated, examine your module board and probe cable for a Calibration ID (CAL ID) decal. All probe and module pairs that have the same CAL ID printed on them have been calibrated together in the lab and will not require calibration before their initial use. Additionally, if you have multiple probes of the same type, take care to match the CAL ID number on the probe cable and the module board when setting up the station (see photo below). Failure to do so may result in inaccurate data and a need to recalibrate.

Additionally, all sensors will need periodic recalibration. If you notice consistent drift in a particular direction—for example, your conductivity numbers are significantly higher than usual for weeks after a big storm—it's a sign that you might need to recalibrate. To recalibrate your sensors, you can use the process used for sensor calibration outlined in the FieldKit App or the Product Guide.

Additionally, if you are using SMA extension cables, your sensors should be recalibrated before use with the extension cables in place.

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