TIME STABILITY AND TEMPERATURE DRIFT
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Drift and Stability Overview
With measurement accuracy, there are two primary sources of errors: Stability and Drift. Stability is an error that is a function of time, whereas Drift is a function of temperature (of the measurement electronics). And in each case, there are two kinds of errors: those which are added to the measured value (i.e. an offset error) and those that are multiplied by the measured value (i.e. a gain error). Offset errors are often low, since the instruNet electronics automatically calibrates them out when the unit is first run, or when software calibration is performed (e.g. press CALIBRATE button). Therefore, there are two remaining primary sources of error: Gain Time Stability (i.e. ppm/yr) and Offset Temperature Drift (i.e. ppm/C).

What is Gain Time Stability?
Stability is the error that occurs over a period of time, often due to resistors and semiconductors that change slightly over time. Gain Stability is often defined as ppm-per-year. For example 30ppm/1yr Stability could result in a 1.000030 error factor that is multipled by the measured value to produce a 0.003% error of the read value.

What is Gain Temperature Drift?
Gain Drift involves an error term (which is a function of temperature) that is multiplied by the measured value. For example, a 4ppm/C gain drift coefficient after a 5 degree change would result in a 1.000004 * 5 = 1.000020 factor being MULTIPLIED by the measured value (i.e. a 0.002% error).