What does "drift" refer to in the context of instrumentation?

In the context of instrumentation, "drift" specifically refers to the gradual deviation of a measurement from the true value over time. This phenomenon can occur due to a variety of factors, including temperature changes, aging components, or environmental influences that may affect the instrument's readings. Drift is particularly critical to monitor because, while it may happen slowly, its cumulative effect can lead to significant inaccuracies in measurements. As a result, it is essential for operators and technicians to regularly calibrate instruments to mitigate the effects of drift and ensure that the measured values remain as close as possible to the true values.

For instance, in precision applications such as laboratory measurements or industrial processes where accurate readings are vital, recognizing and correcting for drift is crucial to maintain product quality and system integrity. Understanding drift helps in diagnosing issues in instrumentation performance and in scheduling maintenance activities to enhance measurement accuracy.