Where calibrating NOS Agilent 34401A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 05:04:17 pm
content: I recently acquired a NOS Agilent 34401A produced in 2014, from a large batch also mentioned in another thread on this website.Unfortunately there was no Certificate of Calibration included in the box, so I like to get a fresh calibration. The old certificate isn't found anymore on the Keysight website.Any ideas about calibration centers who also deal with private persons and capable of calibrating 6.5 digit multimeters? Preferrable mainland Europe. In the past I used Keysight Netherlands for calibrating DMM's and for calibrating RF Power meters and sensors a center in the UK, but I don't know if there are any problems after Brexit.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 09:14:38 pm
content: Surely, Keysight Germany/Böblingen can cal 6.5 digit DMMsUS website lists some 300USD for the most basic cal so the EUR price should be similar, maybe some other place is cheaper.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 09:24:53 pm
content: I get good service from Trescal UK, they are in NL, YMMVhttps://www2.trescal.nl/en/

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 09:49:26 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on January 15, 2025, 09:24:53 pmHelloTrescal can do that . No need to send back to Agilent . Trescal is in France too .RegardsOS

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 10:35:42 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on January 15, 2025, 09:14:38 pmUnfortunately Keysight doesn't deal with private persons anymore. In the past there was a special deal for about 175EUR but all prizes are rising

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 10:36:45 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on January 15, 2025, 09:24:53 pmI will have a look at Trescal tomorrow.

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 11:52:56 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on January 15, 2025, 09:24:53 pmCould you give an idea of the sort of money they charge for a 6.5 digit meter in the UK? Only if you know if course - would save filling out the quote form.

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 10:56:45 am
content: HelloAs you are not a company and I suppose not linked with a Quality system , that perhaps clever to purchase a good voltage source and an accurate reference resistor as Vishay VPR in 1K or 10K.RegardsOS

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 01:59:12 pm
content: Quote from: Overspeed on January 16, 2025, 10:56:45 amBut those have to be calibrated too. And what about the AC values and currents?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 03:12:39 pm
content: sadly find a good cal lab and do a full calibration perioddon't try to cut like other previous suggestions of buying resistors and or references etc ... as they need to be certified ...you get into an endless loop, do it once and cleanly ... alas prices are going nuts at some facilities

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 05:44:01 pm
content: No issues here sending stuff over the water for calibration.Personally I wouldn't use Tr*scal but that is a personal choice.Look for 17025 accreditated labs near to you. Ask them if they are happy to do it. You should be able to look at thier schedule and see if they have a good enough uncertainty for you.

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 07:00:45 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on January 16, 2025, 03:12:39 pmHello''certified'' to do what ? display a costly calibration certificate on the wall ? If you take time to read this forum there is a lot of diy calibration with valuable resultsISO 17025 is perhaps useful IF you have Quality requirements from your customer , a 6.5 digits is not rocket science and you write ''certified'' I use Vishay Alpha and other Vishay brand they are truly respectable in tolerance and value.PDVS2mini is also a respectable tool but there is other too .Primary question is : Does the money I spend is useful regarding the goal I reach .RegardsOS

author: Smoky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 07:11:01 pm
content: For comparison, Cross Precision Measurements in Greensboro, North Carolina quoted me $418 to calibrate a 34401A.https://www.crossco.com/services/calibration/electronics/multimeter-calibration/

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 07:18:09 pm
content: Quote from: Smoky on January 16, 2025, 07:11:01 pmHelloYes as a multimeter all ranges request lot of work and equipment , that also a way to request only partial calibration , this method is in use on test benches when multimeter are used only one function or some limited ranges .RegardsOS

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 12:35:55 pm
content: Got today reply from Trescal, they don't deal with private persons.So will look further.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 01:19:50 pm
content: Quote from: Overspeed on January 16, 2025, 07:00:45 pmdepends on what you do your work in ...... i work with certified stuff and i need certified equipment to do so, no playing around, they go on very expensive companies equipment(s)I can do stuff myself if i want to, like many here ...BUT there is a BUTif a client ask me for the equipment certifications / happened before i'm happy to show him that my stuff is certified, not played with ....there is an huge difference with what you do yourself and what cal labs will do, and the reports they give to you and store in their database ...you can cal a 3458 yourself if you want, but you need the same parts precision as keysight for the 10vdc and 10k resistor, lucky you this meter only needs theses 2Not all works the same ...i have spectrums, scopes, gens, meters etc ... do you need reliable and precise measurements or you'll always have some doubts ?and lastly the @op bought an NOS meter, that's okay .. i would be confident 80% of the time BUT you do need to know where the meter "is" after many storage years, if the OP intend to use the meter for precision stuff, he need to know precisely if the meter is good or not, if he doesn't have any reference to put it againstthat's up to him or all of usas i wrote i had 3 of them, one fully recapped, new vfd. this one was calibrated, the others 2 (with some repairs) where put against it to see if they where ok, and they where okyou need some references at some point ... or get yourself some fluke calibrators loll and you'll shell a lot more $$$ loll

author: SHF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 06:57:04 pm
content: maybe here?https://www.meta-m.de/Agilent-34401A-Multimeter-Kalibrierung/MMS13986

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 09:59:36 am
content: Quote from: SHF on January 24, 2025, 06:57:04 pmThanks, I will send them an email. There is not much information about the service they offer and the quality and traceability on their website.

author: SHF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2025, 08:45:39 am
content: In my opinion, these devices do not need any calibration at all, I compared mine with an even newer KS 34401 and the deviations are very very smallhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/brand-new-agilent-34401a-in-europe-(france)/msg5777837/#msg5777837

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2025, 01:26:22 pm
content: Quote from: SHF on January 26, 2025, 08:45:39 amHelloBefore to spend $$$ in calibration and shipping cost ( which are not free at all ) that can be clever to run a DIY check with one voltage source and one precision resistor as a Vishay VPR and assess before calibration.RegardsOS

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2025, 06:39:37 pm
content: Quote from: Overspeed on January 26, 2025, 01:26:22 pmOf course it is clever to check a multimeter before sending for calibration. In the 10V range it is OK, I checked with my other meters.But in the past I had one meter which was out of specs in some resistor ranges after some years when sending in for calibration. So it is good to have some good history and getting a good feeling about it.Buying some good stuff to check the multimeter isn't cheap also. For a good 10V voltage reference and good 10k resistor I can sent the multimeter almost 2 times to a calibration house and also those own references have to be checked regularly too.I have sent some emails to local and German houses, I hope they will deal with private persons.

author: timeandfrequency
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2025, 08:40:47 pm
content: Hello pe1oxp,Quote from: pe1oxp on January 26, 2025, 06:39:37 pmIt is clear that nothing compares to a real calibration, even as as private user.Having some good home standards can be of course useful, but sending every few years at least one meter of the home/private lab to calibration provides another level of confidence.As you are writing some emails, you may ask if a detailed cal report is provided, including the mesured values and uncertainitiesBEFORE and AFTER adjustement.The picture attachedat the end of this postshows the BEFORE values.Additional topics :guardbanding, IEC 17025 accredited cal labKeysight guardbanding explainedCalibration is a realm on it's ownNASA doc aboutTAR and TUR(dont miss the last sentence).Update #1 : added some stuff

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2025, 03:25:07 pm
content: Quote from: pe1oxp on January 26, 2025, 06:39:37 pmHelloCalibration is not a proof of ''no drift'' with time , an instrument can fail with time .That why there is periodic checks .RegardsOS

author: rogerggbr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 11:46:16 am
content: I also have one of these but it came with a full cal cert at date of manufacture (2014). I have compared it to another couple of 5.5 digit meters and see nothing dramatic so at least it functions. Just had a quote for £216+VAT (£260) to get it re-done (UK - traceable). Will be interesting to see what drift there is after 11 years but still wondering whether it is worth it for hobby use. I did find an agilent article discussing periods between formal calibration - some of their instruments can go 2 or even 3 years rather than the traditional one (this is of course subject to use case etc).

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 12:00:51 pm
content: Unfortunately i haven't found a company who wants to deal with private persons. All needed my company details.Got some quotes from the UK but very high shipping costs and at the end no response anymore because i'm a private person.Only one Polish lab seems to calibrate for private persons, but they didn't respond on my questions about their types op calibration.

author: TUMEMBER
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 01:48:55 pm
content: Quote from: pe1oxp on June 19, 2025, 12:00:51 pmhttps://anmar-pl.com/en/laboratorium-metrologii-elektrycznej/were you trying to find out here?

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 02:00:50 pm
content: Quote from: TUMEMBER on June 19, 2025, 01:48:55 pmI think it was Sonel.plWill have a look when at home

author: guenthert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 02:37:42 pm
content: Quote from: TUMEMBER on June 19, 2025, 01:48:55 pm"From 2021, we do not perform calibrations with accreditation"What exactly does that mean? Do they offer more than my buddy calibrating my DMM with his 2nd hand calibrator which he has some confidence (however justified) in?

author: TUMEMBER
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 02:56:17 pm
content: Quote from: guenthert on June 19, 2025, 02:37:42 pmBut it's very simple. Since then, they have stopped paying bribes for the so-called "supervision" of the laboratory's activities. They have stopped participating in the "register" of the Polish Center for Accreditation - auditors from that association no longer come to them and they do not take tribute - a lot. It has become common that reliable and accurate measurements are only possible if you have a certificate from a "superior organization". This is not true - you must have a quality management system, documentation, reproducible and repeatable measurement conditions (tools and procedures) implemented. The fact that you are associated with the PCA and it refers to ILAC does not really guarantee that you do everything in accordance with ISO 9001 and ICE 17025. Look at the photos - you can see the equipment - they also have a database of service recipients.An experienced employee and a good tool is a guarantee of properly performed calibration/adjustment and not a "leech" mediating in the transfer of the "string of the basic unit standard". This applies to DkD, GOST and the whole collection attached to the International System of Measures and Quality.

author: Andreas
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 05:56:22 pm
content: What about Conrad?https://www.conrad.de/de/service/produktservices/kalibrierservice.htmlMost probably also in other European countries available.with best regardsAndreas

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2025, 06:42:18 am
content: Quote from: Andreas on June 19, 2025, 05:56:22 pmSeems Conrad in the Netherlands only do calibration for some equipment when buying new from them.

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2025, 06:51:18 pm
content: Quote from: rogerggbr on June 19, 2025, 11:46:16 amYikes, I got ours at work done 17025 for £116 + £20 p&p exVAT.The lab I work at will deal with members of the public. My uncertainty isn't the best but I can compare it to a 3458A that has just got back from KS.I have asked my old lab colleague who works for a Polish lab if he does 34401a at his place for members of the public.

author: MaTkEOxjC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 12:05:05 pm
content: My past employer used them in Austria;https://www.esz-ag.de/They also picked up the stuff.Let us know if they server private customers and at what cost.The gear comes back with a QR code where you can download the cal report/certficiate, pretty neat.

author: rogerggbr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2025, 09:57:42 am
content: Quote from: mendip_discovery on June 23, 2025, 06:51:18 pmThat is good value. I have a 5.5 digit away just now, cost is £131+VAT. When it comes back I will compare it again with the 34401A and then decide whether to splash the cash.

author: Korchahin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2025, 01:28:27 pm
content: I also plan to calibrate my Agilent 34401A.Since I plan to do a lot of experiments with DMM, references and ADC, I need at least one reliable device that I can rely on in my research. I will try to find a company in Germany that works with individuals.

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2025, 09:36:55 pm
content: I think there is a EU cal club, ask branadic as he will know more.My personal 34401a hasn't had any calibration yet but I calculated the uncertainties for it at 10V and its much larger that any drift I have had from my 10V ref its logging.I really would love to open my work lab to some of the UK crowd on a weekend for a bit of metrology fun.

author: reef.pi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 10:31:10 am
content: Buy a van, build a mobile calibration lab and start touring the UK. You'll make good money.

author: PascalNE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 11:57:53 am
content: This may not be relevant to you but in the UK I've had reasonable quotes from PASS calibration £70 for 6 digits £80 for 7 digits seems a lot cheaper than a lot here and they had no problem with the fact I wasn't associated with a company.(Edit: those prices are for "standard calibration" excluding VAT)https://www.calibrate.co.uk/calibration/electrical/Would be nice to have a UK cal club there seems to be a lot of people interested in calibration.And the price of a full cal lab calibration is a hard pill to swallow when it costs more than what you paid for the instrument.Maybe we could put together some sort of mobile cal kit for (unaccredited) calibrations.

author: TUMEMBER
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 12:49:13 pm
content: https://anmar-pl.com/en/fluke-service/For those who do not live in "mainland Great Britain" it may be more beneficial to use the EU internal market. This bypasses additional customs duties (probably bilateral) and some of the "basketball" used by couriers on long routes through logistics centres.https://anmar-pl.com/kategoria-produktu/wzorcowanie/keithley-wzorcowanie-standardowe/click on the meter image and the service description will open)Sorry, but this page does not have "automatic translation to English" but interested people can use google translate and understand what is written there.The cost of purchasing this "check" is PLN 888, including VAT. Considering that currently 1 Euro is valued at PLN 4.25, it comes to about EUR 209. For all the functions and ranges, it's probably not that bad. However, I recommend "consulting in detail about the details". I do not have shares in this company and I do not work there, so I have no financial interest in "chasing customers".

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 07:53:35 pm
content: Quote from: PascalNE on July 06, 2025, 11:57:53 am+1 to UK cal club - got a bunch of stuff that I'd like to have more confidence in (6.5 digit DMMs, some reference Rs and Cs, a LTZ1000 ref, plus some more exotic stuff like electrometers/SMUs)RE PASS calibration - any comments on how good they are? My DMM6500 is about 3 years out of calibration, and my 34401A 17(!!) years out of cal - for 70 quid plus VAT I would certainly send at least one if they do a good job.

author: PascalNE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 08:39:07 pm
content: Quote from: Hydron on July 06, 2025, 07:53:35 pmI never actually ended up getting a calibration done with them but when I had my datron 1061 I called them up half expecting them to laugh in my face for wanting them to calibrate a 40 year old multimeter for a random person. But they were friendly and gave me a qoute and IIRC they were willing to send it to some other lab (I live in leeds) to get the best uncertainty for no extra cost. Unfortunately my 1061 broke later that week so I never sent it off. I also don't know the difference between "standard calibration" and "UKAS calibration" but I'm sure they have documents.

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 09:21:36 pm
content: The difference between UKAS and other calibrations is often explained to me as ISO 9001, you can make concrete parachutes, and that is ok as long as your paperwork is ok. 17025, UKAS, they actually have a super nerd come and ask you what you are doing? how are you taking in for errors? etc.I suspect the PASS ones will be ok, just not as in-depth as others YMMV. Recently paid 1k for a Keysight calibration and was amazed the 1G ohm range wasn't calibrated, it can be for an extra cost, and even more if I want it done to Standards Lab uncertainties. I am so lucky I get two.

author: PascalNE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2025, 09:22:00 pm
content: Quote from: Hydron on July 06, 2025, 07:53:35 pmAnd about a UK calibration club I don't want to go off topic so maybe a new thread would be in order but I think there's enough enthusiasts here to make it worth it and could definitely save us some money on (non professional) calibration.

author: Korchahin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 02:47:01 pm
content: Take me to the EU enthusiasts club. I want to make a QVR 4xADR1000 standard in a thermal chamber. And I would gladly, without any responsibility, take part in the mass distribution of the Metrology virus (VoltMania?)

author: tatel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 06:33:48 pm
content: There are some old posts on this forum about an EU cal club, but I don't know if it did come into existence. Being in Germany, you can consider yourself lucky. I think there is much more metrology-related activity there.Yeah, I also wish for a working EU cal club but it seems not that easy.