Author Topic: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e  (Read 1236 times)

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Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« on: June 03, 2023, 04:01:35 pm »
Hi everyone

after a lot of internet searching, this forum and many posts on it, came up. Seems a few of you have the UNI-T 210e clamp meter and know a lot more than I can hope to understand. I bought one and among my many cheap (mostly donated meters) this seems on average .03v higher in my typical area of measuring, around the 12v DC.

However what is accurate? I'd appreciate your thoughts on my route to some accuracy in view of my needs. I am mainly interested in sub 20v DC  circuits and mostly DC car circuitry. The clamp having a 2am low end is specific to finding any draw on the battery, and any individual circuits I have introduced, whilst the car is asleep.

my idea as an electronics newbie:

I have ordered an AD584 voltage reference board, to give me a ball park...
most of my meters have at least one pot on the board to adjust if necessary

my UNI-T has three pots and no idea which one affects any measurement.. V, Amp, resistance, whatever.

I can't find this information or indeed if it is wise to alter any of them. Hence trying to draw on member's experiences

lack of knowledge is a frustrating thing .. LOL

Any replies/advice appreciated.
There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.
 

Offline Gyro

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2023, 06:19:59 pm »
Welcome to the forum.

Please don't touch any of them. They are all related to the DC balance of the current measurement jaws and you will have a hell of a job getting them correct again if you mess with them.

The general calibrations are stored in the eeprom chip, not set by pots.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2023, 06:39:51 pm by Gyro »
Best Regards, Chris

"Victor Meldrew, the Crimson Avenger!"
 
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Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2023, 09:28:59 pm »
So grateful for your reply!!!!  :scared:

explains why there are  many YT videos regarding the UNI-T with eeprom programming..

What do you think of these AD584 reference devices..?

I must admit from reading some of the posts in this 'beginners' forum.. I thought what  will anyone think of my question.. basic isn't the word
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Offline Benta

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2023, 09:38:32 pm »
Do the maths:
0.03 V while measuring on 12 V is around 0.25%. That's impressively good!
Be happy.
 
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Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2023, 09:47:16 pm »
Thank you..

other perspectives are very useful...  I have a lot to learn.

 :palm:

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Offline radiolistener

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2023, 11:33:06 pm »
What do you think of these AD584 reference devices..?

These AD584 devices using fake AD584 chips made on Chinese counterfeit factories. They looks similar to original chip, but they are fake. You can't believe it.

And original AD584 is old and obsolete chips which is not precise according to modern standards. If you want voltage reference you're needs to look for modern and orignal chips for that, for example LT1027 or something like that.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2023, 11:44:06 pm by radiolistener »
 
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Offline donlisms

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2023, 12:28:41 am »
Be warned: the road to being able to do your own calibration is dark and dangerous, and heavy with "just one more step".  You will be in the thick of it before you know enough to decide whether you want to go down that road.  You'll know you're in trouble if you start reading anything in Metrology. 

Meantime, you might consider letting someone else doing the hard work, and decide whether you want to invest in something like DMMcheck / voltagestandard.com, or one of the many inferior alternatives that cannot be recommended.  :)
 
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Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2023, 07:45:10 am »
What do you think of these AD584 reference devices..?

These AD584 devices using fake AD584 chips made on Chinese counterfeit factories. They looks similar to original chip, but they are fake. You can't believe it.

And original AD584 is old and obsolete chips which is not precise according to modern standards. If you want voltage reference you're needs to look for modern and orignal chips for that, for example LT1027 or something like that.

my statement 'I have a lot to learn' is starting to sound optimistic  :(

your reference is very useful to me. I'll look into that.. I can check with one of those against the AD584 when it comes.. if it arrives :)
There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.
 

Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2023, 07:49:43 am »
I was optimistic till I got some real information.

I'll definitely look at the information you referred to.

Thanks
There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.
 

Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2023, 12:34:34 pm »
Thanks to everyone who replied to my 'below' beginner' question.

I don't feel worthy posting hereafter  looking at the typical  beginner forum question!!!!

However you all put me off messing with my UNI-T 210e and I'm grateful for that. I got a decent reference device, as advised too, only to find that the UNI-T is only .01 off at one of the reference voltages and perfect on the others.

95% of my voltage measuring are under 12v so am happy to accept any similar deviation for my usage.

I have altered my other amateur meters to similar/close accuracy in that range (not a complex devices compared to the UNI-T meter)

Thanks again to everyone who replied.
There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.
 

Offline Gyro

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2023, 01:00:36 pm »
Don't feel downhearted (or unworthy). There is plenty of stuff that we, as individuals, can't claim to know, you just have a few more in this area.  ;)

It sounds as if your UT210e is nicely within spec. The way of absolute digit reading accuracy, precision, uncertainty, and Metrology in general is a difficult (and expensive) path. Go and check out the Metrology section for interest (I wouldn't suggest posting a question there for a while though!).
« Last Edit: June 08, 2023, 01:02:16 pm by Gyro »
Best Regards, Chris

"Victor Meldrew, the Crimson Avenger!"
 
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Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2023, 04:12:55 pm »
That's kind of you to say...

after seeing most of the posts I don't anticipate asking anything but rudimentary questions in future.

I'm just grateful I have not messed up a perfectly good meter within minutes of receiving it!  :palm: Thanks to the forum.

I was in  different field previously.. electro mechanical stuff (Lifts/Elevators to our American cousins). I know all about Hookes Law but no one ever asks LOL

Thanks again.
There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.
 

Offline dmmguy

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2023, 12:29:55 pm »
I was optimistic till I got some real information.

I'll definitely look at the information you referred to.

Thanks

I am selling the Chinese boards, but after settle them and measured with a fresh calibrated dmm, just in case you want to have one and really know what it gives.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/155763974742

BTW, they are not bad at all (if fake), just don't come with the actual values.
 

Offline GrazuncleTopic starter

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Re: rudimentary meter calibration INI-T210e
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2023, 12:43:51 pm »
Thanks for the offer.. I did get something similar and am happy with my low voltage reading accuracy now.

I wanted to test the amperage reading (just so that they were not 'too way out'.)

I got a good quality resistor and followed some YT instruction, using ohms law, to test output based on voltage/resistance. good enough for my application.

There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.
 


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