Timebase Stability Specification

[KSP]

Hi all

So the issue is whenever I am trying to verify the accuracy of the timebase of an item (in this case an Agilent 53131A counter) I never get given a true spec for accuracy, they always have temp stability, aging rate, etc. But what I want is just basically to take a measurement and determine whether it needs adjusting, yes or no. I'm so used to working with absolutes; i.e. it will be accurate to +/-1ppm etc, so all this nonsense throws me. See attachment for timebase 'spec', I am using option 001

[TMM]

I don't see the issue to be honest. If you want a 'one accuracy fits all', perhaps add them all up and multiply by 10? =6x10^-6

[KSP]

Well say for example it had a drift rate of 1x10^7/day, but hadn't been used for 10 years... Does this mean that it could have an error of 3.650x10^4 and still technically be within its working tolerances? Because that seems rediculous. Surely in order to have confidence in something there needs to be something that states that it will perform to a certain level of accuracy...

[T3sl4co1l]

Well say for example it had a drift rate of 1x10^7/day, but hadn't been used for 10 years... Does this mean that it could have an error of 3.650x10^4 and still technically be within its working tolerances? Because that seems rediculous. Surely in order to have confidence in something there needs to be something that states that it will perform to a certain level of accuracy...

Yes, but no.  See, it's probably in need of cal by then.

Drift being what it is, 1/rtDays is probably more representative, in which case the error looks more like 6.0 x 10^-6.  Which sounds kind of reasonable.

Tim