Do Check Boxes need to be calibrated.

[DSpark1]

Hi All,

After searching thought the forum I couldn't find whether check boxes require calibration. Some sites say they do, some say the don't, and alot of people are saying they are making there own, which I'm guessing cant be calibrated.

And as I couldn't find the answer I thought id create my first thread I found a spare check box at work that is un used which has a rs calibration sticker but I'm still unsure as to if they require it or was this sticker there from the initial calibration of the check box.

Thanks in advance

Regards,

 

[telectrix]

these check boxes and calcards can only check your meter for continuity and IR accuracy. i check my MFT on a particular circuit in the house . note the readings each month to check for any deviation . anything over 5%, the MFT gets a kicking.

 

[tony mc]

Its up to you

I have a Kewtech checkbox which checkes IR LOOP RESISTANCE & RCD trip times.

I get my meters calibrated every year but I regularly check my meters on the checkbox and keep a record.

I have a single Test Socket on the none RCD side of my CU for testing only which I know all the values ZS etc and I need a non RCD outlet for the check box to use the RCD test feature.

I dont get the check box calibrated I use it as a guide.

 

[hercule]

In theory yes - in practice doubt if many people do , I don't. As above, it's a guide and you've got to draw a line somewhere.

 

[jay sean]

My dad is NICEIC (DI) registered, and his inspector told him to get his check box calibrated every year

 

[MarkieSparkie]

The major manufacturers recommend that check boxes are calibrated 3 yearly and this maybe justified if only to maintain any manufacturers guarantee. However, this is probably only really necessary for advanced check boxes that contain active electronics which monitor the voltage, current, timing and trip levels from the tester, their function may drift over time and their accuracy needs periodically verifying.

 

[supasparxs]

My dad is NICEIC (DI) registered, and his inspector told him to get his check box calibrated every year

If you are a one man band and only have one set of test equipment, what is the point of having your check box calibrated or your test equipment calibrated?

you may as well only test one device

if you are a company with one then one set of test equipment then it makes sense to have a check box.

I'll call NAPIT later and ask them there opinion

 

[Engineer54]

If you are a one man band and only have one set of test equipment, what is the point of having your check box calibrated or your test equipment calibrated?

you may as well only test one device

if you are a company with one then one set of test equipment then it makes sense to have a check box.

I'll call NAPIT later and ask them there opinion

Are you being serious here, about not seeing the point of having your test equipment calibrated??

Tell me, ...what good is an electrician without his test equipment and ...what good his test equipment if he can't trust it to give him accurate readings??

 

[supasparxs]

you misunderstand me
what I meant was the cost of calibrating one piece of kit, is the calibrating of one piece of kit.
if you need to calibrate your MFT and then your check box then you are creating work for those calibrating the equipment.

my test equipment does not get thrown into the back of a van, it stays safe and secure.
If I'm carrying out installation work when I will be doing testing it come out with me.
The rest of the time it's at home

I'm sorry if I was unclear

Richard

 

[Engineer54]

Sorry, My mistake then!! ...lol!! By the way, ....Your test equipment should be with you as you walk out of the front door in the morning, never left at home. You never know what is going to happen during the day, could be an an emergency call from a customer, or could be something arises where your doing installation work....

 

[esc]

Hi guys. Slightly off subject and maybe a stupid Q, but its made me think of clamp meters. Using a dedicated SO to monitor Zs readings and a RCD protected circuit to monitor RCD readings on our test equipment is great, do any of you have a method of monitoring the accuracy of a clamp meter?, or is it as simple as measuring the current in a cable supplying a known/dedicated load periodically?

Cheers

 

[oldtimer]

Check for calibration on meters that have no moving parts mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm well yes get them checked out once a year get a checkbox and if you have any doubts get another check box to compare with the first check box and if you are still not sure then ..................................well you know we must keep some poor sod in a job.

Also on a job once doing HVAC controls many years ago the hospital engineer sneered and said you have not calibrated the sensors as they are all 1 degree out I said my meter gets checked twice a year plus I have checked it with other customers units and it tallies up ok Not good enough he said so spoke to my boss and said he is doing my nut in what will I do Tell him I think you could be right and ask to borrow his meter then go and calibrate all the sensors to it. But they will be 1 degree out I said yep but he will be a happy chappy so I did and he was right.

PS dont ask me about the room stat scenario

 

[Goody]

I use a check box along with dedicated socket on a ring to keep an eye on any deviation on IR, Continuity, ZS and RCD timings. I also get it calibrated once a year.

My NICEIC assessor didn’t even ask for a recent calibration certificate but was keen on looking at the recorded readings using the check box.