Calibration Poll

[HappyHippyDad]

Elecsa may be happy with a calcard instead of getting the machine calibrated but Stroma aren't. They require you to have a calcard and get the MFT calibrated.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Elecsa may be happy with a calcard instead of getting the machine calibrated but Stroma aren't. They require you to have a calcard and get the MFT calibrated.

I'm more interested in using the Calcards to check the meter before each EIC & EICR - for my own piece of mind really. Still end up throwing away £50+ a year to confirm what I'll already know! Lol

 

[Midwest]

Elecsa may be happy with a calcard instead of getting the machine calibrated but Stroma aren't. They require you to have a calcard and get the MFT calibrated.

Perhaps its got something to do with NIC/Elecsa flogging Calcard and Stroma don't! PS: And Stroma do a calibration service.

 

[a-z electrics]

I can appreciate that time and location is key to some of you.

Don't shoot me down - I'm simply offering a service which is flexible, affordable and also takes the hassle away from you having to think about what courier to send a unit with, what insurance options are available etc.

As above, if you just want a sticker to satisfy annual assessment, please make sure you are keeping your own records of test results using a checkbox or dedicated circuit to make sure your test results are not deviating.

This last method is what I tend to do now and get a "proper" calibration every 3 yrs or so.. after all, its far more reliable to check every month than every year and if anything looks off track, then can address it.
as for sending my mft away for 3-4 days, this would be difficult for me to do without, plus there is the extra risk of drops etc during transit. I know you can label it as Fragile but I used to work for Royal Mail (and these are probably the best) and I know what can happen!!

 

[Risteard]

An ongoing accuracy test is nothing like a proper instrument calibration which is conducted under controlled conditions (e.g. temperature). It is not intended to replace calibration.

 

[a-z electrics]

An ongoing accuracy test is nothing like a proper instrument calibration which is conducted under controlled conditions (e.g. temperature). It is not intended to replace calibration.

Perhaps not but in my opinion it's more reliable. A proper instrument calibration is like an mot.. A snapshot at one point in time. After being bashed about on its return journey it can all be a waste of time.. And money!

 

[Risteard]

Perhaps not but in my opinion it's more reliable. A proper instrument calibration is like an mot.. A snapshot at one point in time. After being bashed about on its return journey it can all be a waste of time.. And money!

It absolutely isn't more reliable, but without doing it you have no means of ensuring that following calibration that the instrument hasn't become inaccurate.

 

[davesparks]

Perhaps not but in my opinion it's more reliable. A proper instrument calibration is like an mot.. A snapshot at one point in time. After being bashed about on its return journey it can all be a waste of time.. And money!

A calibration is not like an MOT, an MOT is just a comparison against a standard. True calibration is the act of checking against a reference standard and the adjustment of the instrument to be correct.

 

[a-z electrics]

A calibration is not like an MOT, an MOT is just a comparison against a standard. True calibration is the act of checking against a reference standard and the adjustment of the instrument to be correct.

Exactly what happens when I take my car for an mot!!

 

[davesparks]

Exactly what happens when I take my car for an mot!!

Then your MOT tester is doing it wrong if he makes any alteration to the vehicle as part of the MOT test.
You should report them to VOSA and they will investigate with a high probability of legal action being taken

 

[Midwest]

Then your MOT tester is doing it wrong if he makes any alteration to the vehicle as part of the MOT test.
You should report them to VOSA and they will investigate with a high probability of legal action being taken

Yep I get my MFT mot'd, .......cough calibrated every year. Well I don't actually, I use one of those naughty Calcard things, so another year before calibration, sorry I mean mot, no oohh damn it

 

[HandySparks]

Ha Ha.

Since this thread has popped to the top again (presumably due to a deleted spam post or similar), I'll just mention that I got Test Meter to do mine over the Christmas break again this year.

And again.
Collect Wed 28th Dec. Return after 3rd Jan.

 

[Pat H]

My MFT is off being calibrated by Megger (needed a software update) but I'll look at the Calcards as well for ongoing checking.
But will still get calibrated annually. Probably by Test Meter people (they couldn't this time as they can't do software update)

 

[Octopus]

Problem with calibration is that most SE people can't afford to be without their tester for long....

Year before last I had it done at home by a "travelling" calibration chappie - excellent service - he checked and calibrated my MFT whilst I did paperwork - so no wasted time or money. His rates were very reasonable too.

 

[HandySparks]

And again.
Collect Wed 28th Dec. Return after 3rd Jan.

And again this year.

I don't plan to be using the MFT over the next week or so.