Calibration of meters?

[craig7780]

Does everyone get there meters calibrated? Or do you just use a checkbox and monthly log? As when we have our Niceic vist they dont have a problem with checking our meters with a check box.

 

[jbec-john]

I keep a monthly log using resistors and a few points in my house for live testing.
If there's a calibration day at the wholesalers I'll usually get them done then. It's only about £20 for both my testers usually. Like you say, my NIC EIC inspector has never had a problem with this.

 

[BillR3]

I get all our meters checked and calibrated/certified annually to conform with our ISO certification. I also check the meters monthly with a check box and keep all the data for the NICEIC inspector. He does not have a problem with this method but I would advise an annual calibration check.
BillR3

 

[Spudnik]

Indeed, annual calibration is all thats required.

 

[MTI]

hi all, i was just about to start a thread and saw this. please can anyone advise....

i have a fluke multifunction tester and had it callibrated by the seller at point of purchase in approx feb this year. The seller deals test equipment for a living but gets a registered local test centre to callibrate them before point of sale and the traceable cert is in the box.

i have only just used the tester for the first time today and my mate (another spark) also has a brand spanker fluke of the same kind. The cert for mine shows that all results at point of callibration were not only close to the expected but that they all passed with flying colours and no adjustments had to be made in order to get it through.

Now the fun starts! im new to testing/little experience and assumed i was doing well. My experienced mate watches over me - yes sound he says martin, proceed on! hang on a minute he then pipes up....
out of experience, that circuits results are wrong! this is a new install.

The point is, after carrying out the same tests with THREE meters, mine was well out! The results were acceptable but i even new they were high.

Surely a meter with its first callibration (only a year or so old) with very little use, cant be that far out even though it has been passed?

at the best, end to end-phase to phase on a very short ring circuit on new install...

my mates new fluke=0.0 ohms
my mates old robin=0.09 - 0.12 ohms
my fluke= 0.96 - 1.25 ohms!!!!!!!!

i cant afford to be without my tester for ages and the callibration firm is at other end of country who is responsible for its last testing.

im thinking of getting it re-done and billing them as i refuse to pay postage for something out of my control! Although they may argue why its not been used for a few months up until now.

reliable callibration firm in leeds anyone?

 

[plantpot]

Please dont take offence, but did you null lead before test.

 

[MTI]

Please dont take offence, but did you null lead before test.

yes, over and over too between repeating tests. the leads are sound and null to zero no probs.

with using one of these testers before, im aware that results on very short circuits can show 0.00 ohms end to end when splitting the ring at the board. obviously this may differ slightly if tons of points are served. I remember years ago when i worked for a firm and me and the other spark did a rewire and tested it with this new fluke that a gaffer gave us. he thought we were barmy when we called him up and said its either faulty or we are testing wrongly.

im sure that anyone else with one of these new multifunction meters will confirm that readings of 0.00 are perfectly normal. Obviously older meters will have been callibrated over their many years and will still giva slightly higher result as per my mates old robin giving 0.09 to 0.12 against his new fluke showing 0.00 instantly before and after

 

[SirKit Breaker]

I have to have mine cal`d annually for Elecsa assesment even though i have a check box, the checkbox cant test the RCD bit of it.

 

[MTI]

I have to have mine cal`d annually for Elecsa assesment even though i have a check box, the checkbox cant test the RCD bit of it.

ill take that on board as im due to join elecsa very soon however, id always get it callibrated annually anyway. I take it elecsa specify annual callibration due to the guarantee and service level they offer customers. cant remember name now...trust mark?

 

[zupos40]

hi all, i was just about to start a thread and saw this. please can anyone advise....

i have a fluke multifunction tester and had it callibrated by the seller at point of purchase in approx feb this year. The seller deals test equipment for a living but gets a registered local test centre to callibrate them before point of sale and the traceable cert is in the box.

i have only just used the tester for the first time today and my mate (another spark) also has a brand spanker fluke of the same kind. The cert for mine shows that all results at point of callibration were not only close to the expected but that they all passed with flying colours and no adjustments had to be made in order to get it through.

Now the fun starts! im new to testing/little experience and assumed i was doing well. My experienced mate watches over me - yes sound he says martin, proceed on! hang on a minute he then pipes up....
out of experience, that circuits results are wrong! this is a new install.

The point is, after carrying out the same tests with THREE meters, mine was well out! The results were acceptable but i even new they were high.

Surely a meter with its first callibration (only a year or so old) with very little use, cant be that far out even though it has been passed?

at the best, end to end-phase to phase on a very short ring circuit on new install...

my mates new fluke=0.0 ohms
my mates old robin=0.09 - 0.12 ohms
my fluke= 0.96 - 1.25 ohms!!!!!!!!

i cant afford to be without my tester for ages and the callibration firm is at other end of country who is responsible for its last testing.

im thinking of getting it re-done and billing them as i refuse to pay postage for something out of my control! Although they may argue why its not been used for a few months up until now.

reliable callibration firm in leeds anyone?

Do you or your mate have a calibration box or some resistors of none values to check meter against, I would take your meter and your mates with resisters etc back to the person who sold you the meter and show them, have you though of contacting manufactures, what was the bateery level, did you swap your mates lead and test in your meter, I had doggy leads before, I aslo had problem due to low batteries etc

Also worth having a read of IET wiring matters Auturm 2006 Ongoing accuracy of test instruments

 

[Spudnik]

ill take that on board as im due to join elecsa very soon however, id always get it callibrated annually anyway. I take it elecsa specify annual callibration due to the guarantee and service level they offer customers. cant remember name now...trust mark?

The scheme providers do not make up the minimum requirements, the government do.

They only require meters to be calibrated once a year with a traceable certificate.

However, the NICEIC and some others are happy with a cal card or similar, provided you keep a regular check and keep records.

 

[andekoch]

I keep a monthly log using resistors and a few points in my house for live testing.
If there's a calibration day at the wholesalers I'll usually get them done then. It's only about £20 for both my testers usually. Like you say, my NIC EIC inspector has never had a problem with this.

I dont seem to have seen a calibration day at the wholesalers near me. Which ones have you used/ who does it and will they tell me when the next day is if I call them?

 

[pevvers]

Well I have to say that the Fluke multimeters are renowned for giving bizarre results, I've only used one a couple of times and since then I've refused to use them as I don't trust them one jot.

Get a Megger, you always know where you stand and you won't look like a fool if you tell a client that they have to change all their MCB's (30 in one instance after a Fluke test) because the Zs' are too high!

Just my £0.02 worth though,

 

[sparky paul]

Hell no,buy a metrel

 

[pevvers]

A what rel?!!

Just Googled them, the new name for Alphatek.

No thanks, I'll stick to my trusty Megger thank you!!