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Hi everyone- has anyone got any ideas where to go to get an insulation/ continuity meter calibrated? It’s just a fairly standard engineers megger type thing, made by Gossen, but i’m not sure who services these in the U.K.
Cheers,
Neil
Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
Hi Neil
Try GMC instuments tel 01384 638822 or http://www.gmc-instuments.com
they are the UK agentSteve
Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
Yikes! Just tried GMC- £117 + vat & a 3 week turn around time. i think i’ll shop around. I’ll give Celtec a try then- I’ve got one of their Microwave meters. I think Robin also do any brand callibration. I’ll report back when I know more.
Also, what do people generally think about annual calibration? I reckon the meter manufacturers state this, because usually, they are used by electricians, and are given much more useage & hammer than we give them. I’m sure bi-annually will suffice in our case,
Regards,
Neil
Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
If you are so very concerned about calibration and yet cannot afford the timelapse on getting your (one and only) testmeter calibrated? Then why not buy a second as a spare?
Clearly from reading the ‘rip-off’ re-calibration charges, it would be very cost effective 💡
Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
Martin: I actually do have another one spare, for just such an occasion, & incase one meter goes faulty. I therefore think 2X £117 + vat to be not reasonable. I actually own 2X Gossen MetraHit Insulation/ resistance/ temperature meters, an earth loop tester, a microwave monitor, & a few other ‘spare’ meters. I think the cost of calibration is unbeleivable- how do they calibrate an electronic/ digital meter anyway? How much work can actually be involved? If we all had every meter calibrated every year, it would cost us a fortune. I’d still like some guidance from the industry & from meter manufacturers as to how often ‘light users’ should have their meters calibrated.
Dave: Good one- a real chicken & egg situation. & who tests the calibration machines that test the calibration machines that test the calibration machines???? I might go back to the wet finger test- I could do with a few days off work.
Neil
Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
jazzboyblue wrote:how do they calibrate an electronic/ digital meter anyway?
Indeed Neil, digital meters by definition should maintain their accuracy indefinately. Analogue meters are springs and pivot bearings that need constant tweaking and the cost of that tweaking and extortionate handling charges is unrealistic to say the least.
With most test meters, as long as you have a known value to test against (i.e. Resistors etc) then you can test your own meter on a regular basis!
Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
I’VE ALWAYS USED USED QUASER TRONICS 01384 401132
LOVELEY LADY COMES TO COLLECT IT BUT ONLY THE MIDLANDS AREA I THINK.
I SUPPOSE YOU COULD ALWAYS POST IT.
COST APPROX £35.00Re: TEST METER CALIBRATION
Dave_Conway wrote:Who calibrates the calibrator’s equipment I wonder ? 😀
Dave.
In answer to your question Dave, when I worked in a NAMAS accredited test lab a while back, the process was that the ‘calibrator’ would have a reference unit whose readings were traceable back via certification to National Standards at the National Physics laboratory.
Our reference units used to be calibrated once a year by NPL or other accredited calibration house.
That was 10+ years ago but doubt that things have changed – its probably still a paperwork and red tape nightmare!
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