[BE] Unofficial calibration of my HP3478A & Fluke 341A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pyroesp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 11:23:34 pm
content: I'm looking for someone in Belgium who is willing to help me calibrate my HP3478A and maybe my Fluke 341A.It's not that I don't know how to calibrate the meters and voltage standard, I do RTFM, but I have nothing to compare it too, except a cheap 50€ no-name brand multimeter.I'll pay in € or beer, whichever you prefer, for the help and use of equipment.I speak French and Dutch so no problem there (sorry German friends).Haven't asked for an official calibration yet as I'm probably going to replace caps and other components in both instruments.But in the meantime I'd like to have them reading and outputting (close to) what they're supposed to.Hope someone can help.

author: e61_phil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 02:39:09 pm
content: Adjusting the 341A isn't funny. Perhaps you can send the 3478A as a transfer standard to anybody and adjust the 341A by yourself. My 3478A stays very long time in the 24h specification (similar to the 341A). And adjusting of a 3478A is very easy.Perhaps there is anybody in belgium with some gear. Shipping to germany and back isn't cheap, I think.

author: pyroesp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 06:42:30 pm
content: Quote from: e61_phil on September 29, 2016, 02:39:09 pmYes, like I said: "... and maybe my Fluke 341A", so as long as the 3478A can be calibrated then I should be able to do the 341A myself.Quote from: e61_phil on September 29, 2016, 02:39:09 pmHaven't checked, but I think so too. If Germany is the only option I have, I'll just drive there, if possible (love the autobahn). Like a 3 to 4h drive max should be ok. Also makes for an interesting trip with friends.

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 10:33:46 pm
content: Well,Why not travelling to Frankfurt area?Bruxelles is about 4h15 away.I also speak French, if necessary.Belgian autoroute is also nice, due to yellow lighting in the night.Belgian Beer is very welcome.Frank

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 11:57:26 am
content: Quote from: pyroesp on September 29, 2016, 06:42:30 pmNope, the 3478A is not sufficient at all to calibrate the 341A:Although 341A is a 6 digit instrument only, it requires about 25ppm absolute uncertainty for DCV range calibration, and about 10ppm uncertainty for linearity (ratio).The 3478A is 40ppm certain only (24h), and resolves 5 2/3 digits only, which yields 67ppm for the 15V adjustment of the 341A only, and for linearity adjustment, it's at least missing a factor 10 of resolution.Also the 10V, 100V, 1kV ranges can not be calibrated precisely enough.If the 341A already contains an SZA263 as reference, it may make sense to calibrate it to the same level like the 343A, which requires even 10 times more precise equipment.The 3458A will do this job.So therefore, it 's essential, that you also bring your 341A for calibration.Afterwards, you may even calibrate the 3478As DCV ranges by means of the 341A.Frank

author: e61_phil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 01:22:44 pm
content: Quote from: Dr. Frank on September 30, 2016, 11:57:26 amOf course, you're absolutely right. I read this:Quote from: pyroesp on September 28, 2016, 11:23:34 pmTo check if everything is "close to" it should be ok with the 3478A. The 3478A can't even measure 1000V.Even the most 6.5 digit multimeters aren't much better than the 3478A at 15V. Cause of the 0.1/10/100/1000V ranges instead of 0.03/0.3/3/30/300. Therefore you don't have an extra digit at 15V with a 34401A for example (but slighty better specs).

author: pyroesp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2016, 07:25:15 am
content: Thanks Frank, I've sent you a PM.

author: zlymex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2016, 04:12:56 am
content: Not every SZA263 was born equal. Fluke had an extensive test and selection procedure for classify SZA263(mainly according to drft rate) so that they can be used for different instrument accordingly.