34401a calibration, Seattle area - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 02:09:37 am
content: I snagged an Agilent 34401a 6.5 digit DMM off of ebay. I am not sure why no one else bid on this unit, as I was the only bidder and got it at his starting price of $329. The unit seems to have survived the seller's scarily bad packing job and cross-country shipment, and it's passing the self test.However, I suspect it needs calibration. Can someone recommend a place to get that done? Ideally I'd like to get it done locally (Seattle, Washington, United States) as I don't want to deal with shipping.Thanks

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 02:33:15 am
content: Good deal!Same story as mine, PASS SELF TEST but I don´t know if was the package or not (worst than terrible also in my case) I found out that the 24KR resistors in the sense lines were cracked.Useful post:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/34401a-cal-error-707/Calibration is a MUST! This is not only the adjustment, but this is the only way to know if your gear is working or not. In other words the SELF TEST is just the first step, at least in the 34401a.I am located in SC, USA. PM me if you want to know where I sent my units for calibration.Stay tuned.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 03:03:08 am
content: http://www.gcscal.com/index.htmlThis is in Seattle.

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 03:05:25 am
content: Quote from: zucca on June 13, 2014, 02:33:15 amSo that would show up if I tried to take a 4-wire resistance measurement, right? OR maybe another function that uses the sense terminals - like for example voltage ratio. I will give that a try this evening.Quote from: zucca on June 13, 2014, 02:33:15 amI may do that, but want to see if there is a good place locally first.

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 03:11:23 am
content: Quote from: Vgkid on June 13, 2014, 03:03:08 amHi Vgkid. I saw that one when I did a Bing search earlier. Do you have experience with them? I just want to make sure I'm getting a decent service for my money, as it's a non-trivial expense.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 04:01:47 am
content: Quote from: motocoder on June 13, 2014, 03:11:23 amshould only be like 100$ or so. (or at least that's what it costs here for similarly specced meters)

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 04:02:44 am
content: Ok, I did the voltage ratio measurement and it seems to be working just fine. So if there's a problem with the sense wires, it's not a glaring one.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 04:34:00 am
content: There is a Simco in Redmond, not sure how close to Seattle that is.I can't help you, I live in VA.

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 04:53:15 am
content: Quote from: Vgkid on June 13, 2014, 04:34:00 amSimco would be closer to me. I just don't know anything about these companies. Is Simco good?

author: Bryan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 05:31:17 am
content: I thought Agilent offered a reasonable price for calibration. Depending on the level of service you wanted.http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=AL&lc=eng&ckey=2364653&id=2364653

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 06:38:48 am
content: Quote from: Bryan on June 13, 2014, 05:31:17 amIt's $200 - twice as expensive as what I've seen referenced as typical 3rd-party pricing. Also, I have to pay for shipping. That doesn't seem reasonable to me.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 12:36:15 pm
content: Simco is a large calibration company.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 01:26:50 pm
content: Tektronix has a lab in Seattle. Free online quotes but they will call you to try and sell you new equipment. Once you tell them you are not interested, they will leave you alone.At least that has been my experience.http://service-solutions.tektronix.com/locations/calibration-Kent.aspx

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 02:27:52 pm
content: Quote from: Vgkid on June 13, 2014, 12:36:15 pmOk, I will give them a call when they open later this morning.Thanks everyone for the help.

author: motocoder
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 03:58:32 pm
content: After looking at the contents of my wallet, Simco came up with a $135 quote, whether it was dropped off or mailed in did not matter. Global Calibration Services came up with a $99 quote, and is happy for me to drop it off and pick it up. So looks like Global Calibration Services is the winner.