The Digital Calibration Certificate, or DCC for short, provides calibration results in a structured, machine-readable XML file. This makes calibration data easier to archive, share and use in digital processes.
With SIKA TP Premium temperature calibrators, the DCC can be created directly on the device from the calibration results.
Table of Contents
1. What is a Digital Calibration Certificate? | 2. Based on the PTB DCC schema | 3. What are the practical benefits of the DCC? | 4. Create a DCC directly on the TP Premium | 5. What information does the DCC contain? | 6. A building block of digital temperature calibration | 7. TP Premium temperature calibrators with DCC | 8. Frequently asked questions about the Digital Calibration Certificate
The DCC is the digital evolution of the traditional calibration certificate. While paper or PDF documents are primarily designed to be read by people, the DCC also provides the information they contain in a structured format.
The calibration data is stored in an XML file. Its clearly defined data structure allows suitable software systems to read individual entries automatically and assign them to their respective meaning.
This means calibration data is not only displayed or stored digitally, but can also be processed systematically.
Based on the PTB DCC schema
The Digital Calibration Certificate was developed under the leadership of Germany’s national metrology institute, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). Its structure is defined by a dedicated DCC schema.
Among other things, this schema specifies:
how the XML file is structured,
what information it may contain,
how data fields are named, and
where the information is located within the file.
The DCC is therefore not a manufacturer-specific file format. It provides a consistent basis for the digital exchange of calibration data.
The implementation in TP Premium temperature calibrators is based on DCC schema version 3.3.0.
Calibration results often need to be documented, archived and transferred to other systems. Particularly when managing large numbers of test equipment and sensors, transferring data manually can take a considerable amount of time.
The Digital Calibration Certificate supports more efficient handling of this information:
Calibration data is available in a consistent structure.
Manual data transfer can be reduced.
Errors caused by copying or re-entering data can be avoided.
Files can be archived and shared more easily.
The data can be integrated into suitable digital quality and test equipment processes.
Whether and how a DCC file can be imported directly into a CAQ, ERP, quality management or test equipment management system depends on the software used and its support for the format.
At SIKA, the Digital Calibration Certificate is created directly from the results of a calibration carried out with a TP Premium device.
The process is completed using the temperature calibrator’s touch display:
Open the calibration results
Start DCC creation
Select core, laboratory and customer data
Enter a unique document identifier
Save the DCC as an XML file on a USB storage device
Information about the calibration item and certain other mandatory details is provided automatically by the TP software. DCC files that have already been created can be downloaded again. Core, laboratory and customer data can also be managed directly on the device.
What information does the DCC contain?
The Digital Calibration Certificate created with TP Premium contains the information required for the current implementation. This includes:
basic calibration data,
information about the calibrated measuring instrument,
details of the calibration laboratory,
the responsible person,
customer and order data, and
information about the software used to create the DCC.
The content is stored in a structured format within the XML file. This allows individual items of information to be clearly identified and processed further.
The DCC adds structured result documentation to the digital functions of the TP Premium series.
In addition to direct operation on the device, the temperature calibrators support connected workflows through functions and interfaces such as the WebApp, REST API and OPC UA. While these solutions provide access to and communication with the calibrator, the DCC makes calibration data available in a standardised digital format.
This allows calibration, documentation and further processing to be linked step by step.
Products
TP Premium temperature calibrators with DCC
The DCC function is available for all six models in the TP Premium series. These include multi-function temperature calibrators and dry-block temperature calibrators with model-specific temperature ranges from −50 to 700 °C.
The series combines precise temperature calibration with an intuitive menu structure, a touch display and digital functions for modern calibration processes.
Temperature calibrators
TP Premium / Multi-function temperature calibrator
Type TP3M165E.2(i)
- Temperature range -30...165 °C
- Calibration insert dimensions: Ø60 x 163 mm
- Accuracy ±0.1 °C
- Multifunction: Dry block, calibration bath, infrared, surface
- Option: Integrated measuring instrument
Temperature calibrators
TP Premium / Multi-function temperature calibrator
Type TP3M255E.2(i)
- Temperature range RT...255 °C
- Calibration insert dimensions: Ø60 x 163 mm
- Accuracy ±0.1 °C
- Multifunction: Dry block, calibration bath, infrared, surface
- Option: Integrated measuring instrument
Temperature calibrators
TP Premium / Dryblock-temperature calibrator
Type TP37165E.2(i)
- Temperature range -35...165 °C
- Calibration insert dimensions: Ø28 x 150 mm
- Accuracy ±0.2 °C
- Option: Integrated measuring instrument
Temperature calibrators
TP Premium / Dryblock-temperature calibrator
Type TP37200E.2(i)
- Temperature range -50...200 °C
- Calibration insert dimensions: Ø28 x 150 mm
- Accuracy ±0.2 °C
- Option: Integrated measuring instrument
- Fastest calibrator with widest temperature range
Temperature calibrators
TP Premium / Dryblock-temperature calibrator
Type TP37450E.2(i)
- Temperature range RT...450 °C
- Calibration insert dimensions: Ø60 x 150 mm
- Accuracy ±0.2 °C
- Multifunction: Dry block, infrared, surface
- Option: Integrated measuring instrument
Temperature calibrators
TP Premium / Dryblock-temperature calibrator
Type TP37700E.2(i)
- Temperature range RT...700 °C
- Calibration insert dimensions: Ø29 x 150 mm
- Accuracy ±0.27 °C
- Option: Integrated measuring instrument
What does DCC stand for?
DCC stands for Digital Calibration Certificate. In German, the term “Digitaler Kalibrierschein” is commonly used.
What is the difference between a PDF calibration certificate and a DCC?
A PDF mainly presents the information contained in a calibration certificate in a visual format. The DCC also provides the data in a structured XML file that suitable software systems can read and process automatically.
Is the DCC a SIKA file format?
No. The DCC is based on the concept developed by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and the associated DCC schema. The TP Premium implementation uses DCC schema version 3.3.0.
Can DCC data be used in CAQ, ERP or quality management systems?
The DCC provides a standardised data basis for digital processing. Whether the data can be imported depends on whether the respective system supports the DCC format or provides a suitable import option.
Which TP Premium temperature calibrators support the DCC?
The DCC function is available for the models in the TP Premium series. New devices are equipped accordingly.
Can existing TP Premium devices be retrofitted?
TP Premium models manufactured from August 2022 onwards can be made DCC-capable with a free software update. The function cannot be added to older devices via an update.
From which software version is the DCC available?
The DCC function is available from software version 30.58. New TP Premium temperature calibrators are supplied with this or a later software version.
Is the DCC available for switch tests?
No. The DCC function is not available for switch tests.
Can a DCC be downloaded again?
Yes. A DCC that has already been created for a calibration task run can be downloaded again.