What is "multimeter calibration"?

[highlux]

Calibration should include adjustment.   Making it separate....it just a cheesy way to scam people out of more money.  Electronics shops sure do gouge people.
No wonder why people try  the DIY approach huh?     Local amp shop charges $100 to look at an amp.  If it is fixable or not.   I fix 99% of the amps I see for less than $20.
(Hobby)  But I fix 3-5 a week.

[madires]

Calibration should include adjustment.   Making it separate....it just a cheesy way to scam people out of more money.  Electronics shops sure do gouge people.

It's like in the old modem days when people messed up bps with baud. 

[timb]

Calibration should include adjustment.   Making it separate....it just a cheesy way to scam people out of more money.  Electronics shops sure do gouge people.

It's like in the old modem days when people messed up bps with baud. 

Language evolves. When we're at the point of big name manufactures using the word Calibration to mean "Adjustment+Verification" then that's what it means.


Sent from my Smartphone

[mzzj]

Calibration should include adjustment.   Making it separate....it just a cheesy way to scam people out of more money.  Electronics shops sure do gouge people.
No wonder why people try  the DIY approach huh?     Local amp shop charges $100 to look at an amp.  If it is fixable or not.   I fix 99% of the amps I see for less than $20.
(Hobby)  But I fix 3-5 a week.

Calibration vs. adjustment is really offen mixed. Simon goes for good example. 
But ask any reputable calibration lab and they will tell that calibration does not infer or include adjustment.
And how would you make adjustment to mercury thermometer, thermocouples, pt100 sensor, precision reference resistor or gauge block?

(And what electronic shops have to do with calibrations?)

[jimdeane]

It must differ greatly by industry and company-by-company.

With the data collection sensors we use, "calibration" means to measure against known values and set calibration point(s) to be used by the device when collecting/displaying data. That is how the term is used by the manufacturer/developer and by the users.

The calibration instructions I received from Extech for the EX330 includes sections on "Accuracy Test" and "Calibration Adjustments" along with a cover-off diagram of adjustment potentiometer locations. This is all under the number bulleted menu for "EX330 Calibration Procedure".

When I was setting up instrumentation in physics labs in college and grad school, being told to calibrate the instrumentation meant test-and-adjust. If I had just tested the equipment and labeled it with its performance vs. a standard I think I would have been replaced fairly quickly.

Certain instruments were not adjustable, so "calibrating" one of them meant checking to see that it is still within tolerances. So, a standard meter, a measuring block, etc. might be tested to see if they had been damaged or misused, but unless they were essentially destroyed they were considered permanently calibrated.

I notice that when the local calibration lab replied to my request for a quote on calibrating a multimeter, they returned a quote for "NIST Certification" (emphasis mine). Perhaps that is their way to show they do not mean to calibrate w/adjustment, but only check against a standard.

[deadlylover]

I notice that when the local calibration lab replied to my request for a quote on calibrating a multimeter, they returned a quote for "NIST Certification" (emphasis mine). Perhaps that is their way to show they do not mean to calibrate w/adjustment, but only check against a standard.

I think that just means that it's the lowest level of calibration available, it's kind of like just saying 'traceable calibration'.
The next step up is an Accredited Calibration (ISO 17025 or Z540 or other standards) where they usually state the uncertainties of the references used, in addition to the uncertainties of the instrument's measurements at time of calibration.

[mzzj]

I notice that when the local calibration lab replied to my request for a quote on calibrating a multimeter, they returned a quote for "NIST Certification" (emphasis mine). Perhaps that is their way to show they do not mean to calibrate w/adjustment, but only check against a standard.

Americanos have the most confusing ways of referring to calibrations 

"NIST Certification": probably/usually means that calibration lab references are calibrated at NIST
"NIST Traceable calibration" references are calibrated at NIST or the reference of reference is calibrated at NIST --> papertrail and traceability leads to NIST.

To make things more confusing there are calibrations and "calibrations"
1. "OKAY sticker" -calibration: someone has somehow determined that calibrated meter is probably within manufacturer specifications.
2. "calibration with  data"   as above but you get calibration certificate with  measurement results.
3.  Z540-1 Accredited calibration: Independent third-party(like http://www.a2la.org/ ) has verified the calibration laboratory to work according to (American) standards.
4. ISO 17025 Accredited calibration: Independent third-party(probably member of ILAC-MRA http://ilac.org/about-ilac/ ) has verified the calibration laboratory to work according to (international) standards.
5. NIM- National Institute of measurements calibration: even more complicated case.   

Option 4. is internationally the most widely accepted option.

[VK5RC]

I thought NIST (? NATA) certified calibration is quite a high level certification as I thought it includes the 95% confidence intervals of the errors of instrument under test AND the reference.
I think Keysights standard calibration includes adjustment but only to the original specifications.
Recent quote in Aus for a 3458a
Standard Calibration $ 1331 +gst
NATA calibration $1730 +gst
Fixed repair $3343 +gst

[mzzj]

I thought NIST (? NATA) certified calibration is quite a high level certification as I thought it includes the 95% confidence intervals of the errors of instrument under test AND the reference.
I think Keysights standard calibration includes adjustment but only to the original specifications.
Recent quote in Aus for a 3458a
Standard Calibration $ 1331 +gst
NATA calibration $1730 +gst
Fixed repair $3343 +gst

"NATA calibration" is  the the 4.th option on my list "NATA =National Association of Testing Authorities" == member of ILAC-MRA
And with 99% probability Agilent is going to ask your permission before any adjustments if you order "NATA calibration"

"NIST certified calibration" on the other hand can be "anything" and there is no guarantee of any sort over the results.
U.S equivalent of "NATA calibration" would be  "A2LA-(accredited) calibration"

 

[retrolefty]

  Are there any home business types or hobbyist here that pays to have some firm place a updated in-cal sticker on their equipment?

  I think the best aspect of the on-running volt-nut threads is that if it's your money, you will find a way to collect/build your own references to perform your own calibrations, be it check only or check and adjust.

 Paying someone with your own money to tell you your stuff is still in calibration seems silly. If required by law or company policy then fine, pay the tax and ship your stuff in and out But for personal labs I would think only repair activity on equipment to be useful.

 Lets ask Dave if he pays for any external cal services for his equipment?


 

[jitter]

Over here it exclusively means the check if an instrument is within spec, not the adjustment. But if I google for the meaning of the word (in English, not translated to my language), some definitions include adjustment, others do not.

Would the origin of "to calibrate" have something to do with weaponry, i.e. measuring the calibre of a gun. If so, that would imply just the measurement, not the adjustment.
Any linguists here with some insight on the semantics of this word?

[madires]

  Are there any home business types or hobbyist here that pays to have some firm place a updated in-cal sticker on their equipment?

I doubt it

  I think the best aspect of the on-running volt-nut threads is that if it's your money, you will find a way to collect/build your own references to perform your own calibrations, be it check only or check and adjust.

There are some inexpensive references from voltagestandard.com and ebay. I've build my own references and when I find someone with a nice bench meter (with a cal sticker ) in my near I'll adjust my references.

[giosif]

Ok.
Thanks to everyone for your contribution to this topic!
It is appreciated.