What exactly is required to calibrate a voltage continuity tester?

[Twitchboy]

My company does not allow us to use our own voltage/continuity testers. Instead we must use the ones they provide for us. They're pretty cheap but do the job well enough.

I have had my testers for just over a year and the label says that I shouldn't use them after that time so I handed them back to my supervisor expecting him to order me a new set as sending them off to be calibrated would cost more than purchasing new testers.

Instead, he appeared ten minutes later with the testers I had just given him with a new label and a new date. He said "there you are, they're now calibrated".

Is it possible that he could have calibrated them? What (if any) equipment would he require to have calibrated them? I have my doubts that he did anything at all other than stick a new label on the old testers.

 

[john999uk]

They need to be tested, adjusted to a reference within tolerances and a report created. The reference source should be calibrated and traceable to the National Standards.
I find it very hard to believe that they could be calibrated on all ranges within 10 mins. If it's a big enough firm they may have calibration equipment but I would doubt it.

PS the above is not specifically directed to electrical test equipment.

 

[Twitchboy]

They need to be tested, adjusted to a reference within tolerances and a report created. The reference source should be calibrated and traceable to the National Standards.
I find it very hard to believe that they could be calibrated on all ranges within 10 mins. If it's a big enough firm they may have calibration equipment but I would doubt it.

PS the above is not specifically directed to electrical test equipment.

It's a big firm alright but I have asked around and no-one is aware of them having any calibration equipment. Would it matter that's it's just a basic bog standard voltage continuity tester? I suspect that he just put it into a proving unit, checked the voltage looked about right and slapped a new sticker on it.

This is the model Buy Voltage Indicators VOLTAGE TESTER Fluke FLUKE T100 online from RS for next day delivery.

I also can't find any information on this model having fuses in the test leads which I thought was a prerequisite for GS38? As far as I'm aware it is supposedly GS38 complaint, but how can that be if there are no fuses in the test leads? I don't want to raise these issues if I don't have to as I can do without the bother, but I'm starting to think that this guy might not know what he's doing.

 

[snowhead]

The instruments only need to be compared against another instrument which has traceability.
If the ones being tested are out of range then they would have to be sent out to someone capable of correcting calibration.
With the Fluke they would need voltages available at the different levels to check.

Been there, done that, not the below tho'

But it's more likely in your case they've just been re-lablelled.

 

[Dipzy]

I don't think this item requires calibrating as it does not have a digital display.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

It's a big firm alright but I have asked around and no-one is aware of them having any calibration equipment. Would it matter that's it's just a basic bog standard voltage continuity tester? I suspect that he just put it into a proving unit, checked the voltage looked about right and slapped a new sticker on it.

This is the model Buy Voltage Indicators VOLTAGE TESTER Fluke FLUKE T100 online from RS for next day delivery.

I also can't find any information on this model having fuses in the test leads which I thought was a prerequisite for GS38? As far as I'm aware it is supposedly GS38 complaint, but how can that be if there are no fuses in the test leads? I don't want to raise these issues if I don't have to as I can do without the bother, but I'm starting to think that this guy might not know what he's doing.

they`l have gone on a checkbox.....
thats what they`l have done......just run em on that.....

 

[Twitchboy]

Sorry what do you mean traceability, what sort of equipment would that be? Would he have needed something that can output different voltages?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I don't think this item requires calibrating as it does not have a digital display.

what about the fluke t140?...or the di-log 6790?

 

[Twitchboy]

I don't think this item requires calibrating as it does not have a digital display.

Ok never heard that before. To be honest it's my company that insists on these testers being returned so they can be 'calibrated'.

 

[Dipzy]

well they've got lcd displays so will require calibration is my understanding ( and also what i meant to say in the in the above post was lcd display not digital display)

 

[Twitchboy]

well they've got lcd displays so will require calibration is my understanding ( and also what i meant to say in the in the above post was lcd display not digital display)

The fluke I linked to has no lcd or digital display. Some of the similar models have but mine dont. It is purely a voltage indicator with LED's to indicate voltage level so you may be right. I dont know.

 

[Dipzy]

It was because of this information, gleaned from this forum, that i purchased the T100.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

well for what its worth i use a di-log which i like....
i have a couple of meterel voltage indicators n all.....
but i think they are crap to be honest....

 

[john999uk]

It may be that as it's just continuity and voltage indication it's just a check not a calibration. The device is a guide, it's not like you are writing the results on an EICR or anything like that. If it's just for indication I would say they have 'tested' it on a check bos of some description with a voltage indication check.

If the instrument was used for producing legally binding reports then proper 'calibration' would be required but as it's just an indicator I think an annual 'check' would be OK.

 

[Twitchboy]

It was because of this information, gleaned from this forum, that i purchased the T100.

It's a decent tester. I just don't know if it needs calibrating and if so, in what way lol. There is more than one model though. Some with a display and some without. Mine have no display.

 

[Twitchboy]

It may be that as it's just continuity and voltage indication it's just a check not a calibration. The device is a guide, it's not like you are writing the results on an EICR or anything like that. If it's just for indication I would say they have 'tested' it on a check bos of some description with a voltage indication check.

If the instrument was used for producing legally binding reports then proper 'calibration' would be required but as it's just an indicator I think an annual 'check' would be OK.

That would make sense if it werent for the fact that I'm perfectly capable and qualified of checking my own testers. I will need to subtly investigate this matter further. Does anyone know if these test leads have fuses in them? There doesn't seem to be. There should be shouldn't there if they are GS38?

 

[Geordie Spark]

well for what its worth i use a di-log which i like....
i have a couple of meterel voltage indicators n all.....
but i think they are crap to be honest....

I have a 40 watt bulb (lamp) stuck in a bulb holder with two bit of wire sticking out of it. What's this GS38 about ???? :cowboy:

 

[MarkieSparkie]

[FONT=&amp]Approved 2 pole voltage testers (AVT) that indicate voltage in broad bands do not require calibrating. If the AVT incorporates a meter it requires annual calibration, just like any other meter to ensure accuracy[/FONT].

2 pole AVTs that rely on an illuminated bulb (eg. Drummond and similar types) are required to be GS38 protected by a HRC fuse (500mA) or a current limiting resistor and fuse, these are usually housed in the probes.

2 pole AVTs of the type that have a LED/LCD voltage detector with integral test probe and an interconnected second test probe, have internal GS38 protective impedance and current limiting resistors built into the detector limiting the current (usually <20mA) and energy input to the detector. Therefore they do not require an additional HRC fuse and current limiting resistor in the test leads.

 

[nexlar]

Voltage/Continuity Tester, Electronic, Voltage 0 to 480 AC, Voltage 0 to 690 DC, Calibration Frequency 50/60 Hz, Safety Rating CAT IV 600 V, Display LCD with Bargraph, Audible Continuity, Battery Type AAA, Agency Compliance CE, IP64, Auto Ranging, Special Features Low Impedance Test to Check for Ghost Voltages, 3-Phase Rotation Test, Built-in Flashlight, Double Molded Housing, Includes Batteries, Protective Cap, Pouch Case and Instructions.

 

[DPG]

Good point. Daz

 

[Clink]

I'd always assumed that they didn't but on checking the Operating Instruction for my VCT-GS38, which has bog standard LED indicators, it states it "must be calibrated periodically and checked by our service department at regular intervals .... recommended calibration interval of one year"

 

[Twitchboy]

[FONT=&amp]Approved 2 pole voltage testers (AVT) that indicate voltage in broad bands do not require calibrating. If the AVT incorporates a meter it requires annual calibration, just like any other meter to ensure accuracy[/FONT].

What does testing voltage in broadbands mean? I googled it but I just get a load of stuff about broadband internet. When you say it incorporates a meter do you mean a digital/LCD/Anologue display of some sort as opposed to a row of LED's that indicate voltage?

2 pole AVTs that rely on an illuminated bulb (eg. Drummond and similar types) are required to be GS38 protected by a HRC fuse (500mA) or a current limiting resistor and fuse, these are usually housed in the probes.

Would these HRC fuses be removeable/replaceable? There is no way of telling whether or not my test leads have them inside and if they were in there and blew, how would I replace the fuses as the probes are a totally sealed unit?

2 pole AVTs of the type that have a LED/LCD voltage detector with integral test probe and an interconnected second test probe, have internal GS38 protective impedance and current limiting resistors built into the detector limiting the current (usually <20mA) and energy input to the detector. Therefore they do not require an additional HRC fuse and current limiting resistor in the test leads.

Fascinating stuff, are these resistors in the unit itself rather than in the probes? How would I know if my testers fall into this category? There is nothing on the data sheet that tells me if this is the case.

 

[DPG]

Broad bands as in wide bands, not as in broadband internet! Daz

 

[Twitchboy]

Yeah I figured it wasn't broadband. That's just what came up when I googled broad bands. It's not a term I'm familiar with. I assume it means voltage bands?

 

[snowhead]

I assume it means voltage bands?

Wide voltage bands, with indication it's between the 2, eg, 50 to 110v then 110 to 230v then 230 to 415v

 

[Twitchboy]

Wide voltage bands, with indication it's between the 2, eg, 50 to 110v then 110 to 230v then 230 to 415v

Ah ok, I got you now, thanks.

 

[PRR]

"Digital display" is not the point. I have antique needle-meters with antique calibration stickers.

"Calibrate" to what accuracy? What are you measuring?

For most of my work, I stick it on a 1.5V battery and I stick it in the wall. A fresh carbon battery reads 1.56V. I usually know my wall voltage from several meters and also lamp life/brightness, and if a meter reads close to expected that's good enough for anything I do.

"Continuity" is for trailer lamps. If it beeps when shorted, that's something. There's always a go/no-go threshold, often 100 ohms.... but even in trailer-lamps a 99 ohm "beep" is not good enough to light the lights. So when it really matters you go over to an Ohms range, and check that against a box of cheap resistors (they are all 5% now except when they are 2%).

FWIW, I have un-trimmable meters 30 years old which still read within 2% of what I think they should. Mostly they work "right", they work "odd" because the battery is weak, or they work "way wrong" because something inside is sick.

Yes, meters can drift, and old needle-meters weaken with age. My 1981 MM now reads 12.3V on what I think is a 12.6V car battery. I know that and accept it. Mostly I'm looking for 11V (sick battery) or 15V (sick regulator), not part-Volt differences. And my other meters have shown negigible drift.

If you are trimming electronic amplifiers for 0.234V at TP13, then you need to check near that 0.234V point against a better meter which is occasionally compared to an even better standard.

If you want to know if there is near 230V at a motor, sticking the meter into a familiar wall outlet may be sufficient for your company's purpose. If they want you to check for contacts opening and closing, a beep test may be good enough.

They DO need to watch for field-meters which have been dropped, abused with 8,000V, or left out in the rain to corrode. (However I'd want a weekly quick-test, not annual.)

If you must use the boss's tool, then it is the boss's problem, NOT yours.

 

[Steve_P]

Fluke T100? There's nothing to calibrate on it. You can prove it works with a proving unit (or poking the probes on L & N), takes about 10 seconds. MFT's are what get calibrated.

Use them for basic continuity (nice audible way to check ring continuity quickly), safe isolation and polarity.

 

[Dipzy]

And to be honest that's what the Fluke T100 is designed for ^^^^

 

[penhaifai]

this is old post but I just came across.
Any testing instrument may require to be calibrated by the manufacturer. The instrument manual may have that recommendation as well as the duration recommended by the manufacturer to perform the calibration. Please see attached snapshot from the FLUKE T100 Voltage/Continuity Tester manual.
Any calibration of such usually conducted by the instrument manufacturer or by a well established and certified calibration house. If the company that is using the instrument decided to perform the calibration in house and by their staff then a procedure need to be stablished showing the work instructions, duration and the equipment used in the process as well as what the procedure is covering. i.e. which measurement tools are covered by this procedure.