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Kiss Analog butthurt over Dave getting free stuff

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nctnico:

--- Quote from: joeqsmith on November 24, 2023, 04:35:23 am ---
--- Quote from: nctnico on November 23, 2023, 11:35:50 pm ---Don't forget calibration is not just about accuracy of measurements but also means subjecting an instrument to a (limited) functional test.

--- End quote ---
I would say it's pretty much a full on functional test.

--- End quote ---
Nope. There is so much going on in modern digital / software driven test equipment that a full functional test is not feasible for a calibration lab. You'll only know if the hardware works and the software up to a basic functional level.

joeqsmith:

--- Quote from: nctnico on November 24, 2023, 04:42:20 pm ---
--- Quote from: joeqsmith on November 24, 2023, 04:35:23 am ---
--- Quote from: nctnico on November 23, 2023, 11:35:50 pm ---Don't forget calibration is not just about accuracy of measurements but also means subjecting an instrument to a (limited) functional test.

--- End quote ---
I would say it's pretty much a full on functional test.

--- End quote ---
Nope. There is so much going on in modern digital / software driven test equipment that a full functional test is not feasible for a calibration lab. You'll only know if the hardware works and the software up to a basic functional level.

--- End quote ---
If I knew something worked, it would be the end of the discussion.   That word "works" seems to have taken on many meanings.   For an ebay seller it may suggest they plugged in the device and no smoke came out.  To me, in the context of this discussion, it means the instrument meets all the manufactures stated specs.  Calibration is proof of that.   I'm not suggesting that all calibration houses provide the same service. 

I have had a couple of cases dealing with third party cal houses worth mentioning.  In one case, they were using a calibrator that was not up to the task.  Talking with Fluke, they had a system that could do the job but this company did not want to invest the $$$.   Reports are important as the cal house will supply such details.     

Another case we had a third party calibrate a non-working system.  It magically came back in the same non-working condition with a calibration tag on it.  In this case, seems their definition of works was a bit lacking.  This may be what you are running into and you may consider it acceptable.  A common one I have seen is handheld multi-meters where they were returned with a dead battery or blown fuses, but had an updated cal tag on them. 

A company who designs and manufactures their products may be better suited to re-certify them.  You can imagine that they need to verify every product that leaves the factory.  Much of this testing may already be automated.  Customers may have to pay a premium for that service.   

bdunham7:

--- Quote from: nctnico on November 24, 2023, 04:42:20 pm ---Nope. There is so much going on in modern digital / software driven test equipment that a full functional test is not feasible for a calibration lab. You'll only know if the hardware works and the software up to a basic functional level.

--- End quote ---

A well though out OEM calibration and performance test procedure can identify the vast majority of shortcomings without actually measuring a response at each and every possible setting.  However, I wouldn't expect the calibration process to effectively validate the firmware so testing the outcome of every possible software test seems an unreasonable goal.  IOW, if the device has a design flaw, especially in software, then I don't expect calibration to pick it up.

zapta:
Eddie has a more democratized and less elitist approach to test equipment and I like it.

My only rant is that both Eddie and Dave seems to hoard test equipment they don't need rather than design and build stuff.

nctnico:

--- Quote from: bdunham7 on November 24, 2023, 06:55:50 pm ---
--- Quote from: nctnico on November 24, 2023, 04:42:20 pm ---Nope. There is so much going on in modern digital / software driven test equipment that a full functional test is not feasible for a calibration lab. You'll only know if the hardware works and the software up to a basic functional level.

--- End quote ---

A well though out OEM calibration and performance test procedure can identify the vast majority of shortcomings without actually measuring a response at each and every possible setting.  However, I wouldn't expect the calibration process to effectively validate the firmware so testing the outcome of every possible software test seems an unreasonable goal.  IOW, if the device has a design flaw, especially in software, then I don't expect calibration to pick it up.

--- End quote ---
Which circles back to my original statement: a calibration can also be seen as a limited functional test.

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