Suggestions for Calibration Service in UK - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2022, 11:08:28 am
content: I am considering getting a Keithley 2010 7.5 digit DMM calibrated and adjusted. I wonder if anyone got any suggestions for service providers in UK? How much would it normally cost?

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2022, 04:25:03 pm
content: for personal use it would be reasonable to find someone with recent calibrated meter/referenceduring transportation could loose some ppm anyway (humidity , vibration, temperature, radiation..)

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2022, 06:31:46 pm
content: CMR I have found have good prices, good uncertainties, quick turn around.Not my lab but I do use them myself. I would suggest you as for thier best Uncertainties otherwise they use the not so good calibrator.

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 09:21:01 am
content: Quote from: strawberry on September 07, 2022, 04:25:03 pmThanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone with such equipment living close to me.

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 09:22:37 am
content: Quote from: mendip_discovery on September 07, 2022, 06:31:46 pmThanks. I'll give them a call.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 04:47:08 pm
content: it is good to have some stable ref to do routine/sanity checkcalibration is valid till some component fail/drift

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 04:52:02 pm
content: Quote from: strawberry on September 09, 2022, 04:47:08 pmI've tested the 2010 with a recently calibrated calibrator and confirmed the meter is out of spec. However, the calibrator is not accurate enough to serve as a standard for adjusting the DMM. Then again, this DMM was last calibrated about 22 years ago.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 05:32:12 pm
content: measure within spec :yes : do nothingno : do logginginstrument is stable :yes : calibrateno : repairrepair successful :yes : well doneno : road roller

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 06:20:06 pm
content: Before sending the meter out to calibration / adjustment, I would suggst doing some more testing.A first point is checking for the input current / bias - this can indirectly cause errors and not als calibration services test this. The test is also relatively simple and does not need special equipment.Another point is stability of the readings, at least in a few ranges, depending on the stable references on can get. This could be something like a few good resistors and maybe a 7 V reference that is reasonable stable over maybe 1-3 months.A few points (e.g. resistors) could be checked in 2 ranges to check consistancy.With an old Keithly 20xx meter one may consider checking the age of the filter capacitors and depending on the age consider an exchange. There are quite a few reports of leaking capacitors doing damage with these meters. At the very least check if they already leak.

author: iJoseph2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 07:53:27 pm
content: Not a recommendation...https://glanfordelectronics.com/equipment-calibration/calibration-prices.htmlI'm just aware of their existence as they're reasonably close to me.Prices are on their website.

author: Chance92
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 08:47:04 pm
content: Quote from: Kleinstein on September 09, 2022, 06:20:06 pmHi Kleinstein. Thanks for your suggestions. Most of the caps look alright. One of them looks strange. The skin seems to be damaged near the pins. The cap measured fine though (470 uF rated, 430 uF measured). Does it look like a leaking cap?

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2022, 09:01:49 pm
content: The mark on the capacitor does not look like a leaking cap. Leackage is essentially always at the leads / rubber plug. It is more like a mark from a soldering iron hitting it. So the capacitors could already be replaced. Not sure if there is a data code visible on the capacitors to see the approximate age in comparison to most of the chips.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2022, 06:48:44 am
content: 430 seems a bit dry but should be fine, if replaced even better. ESR in spec?near heating components capacitors wear down fasterhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/keithley-2010-preliminary-porn/