Electronics > Metrology
'Affordable' Reference Standards to Have On-Hand in a Electronics Lab
fmashockie:
Hello All! This is my first time posting in the metrology forum. I apologize if this should belong in the 'Beginners' forum. But anyway, I guess I have a 2 part question:
1) I found an old Analogic AN3100 DC calibrator on eBay for cheap. I figured it could be useful as a precision DC source for calibrating my benchtop meters and power analyzer. But considering it has not been calibrated in a long time, it will likely require calibration to be of any use. I attached a screengrab from the manual of needed reference materials. Haven't been able to find much info on them. Does anyone know of any alternatives I could look for that might be readily available?
2) In general, I've been looking for precision reference standards for voltage (AC and DC) and resistance. But everything is very expensive! Is there anything out there that is accurate, but relatively affordable that I could look for to have on-hand in my repair lab? I'd be interested in DIY kits/solutions as well!
Thanks in advance!!
Nanitamuscen:
Think about what class of accuracy you need a source. There will be further advice from this.
And what budget do you have for it.
fmashockie:
--- Quote from: Nanitamuscen on September 10, 2023, 05:00:40 pm ---Think about what class of accuracy you need a source. There will be further advice from this.
And what budget do you have for it.
--- End quote ---
Thank you for your reply! So I guess for simplicity, I'll start with the Analogic AN3100. I've attached the full service manual. Accuracy is +-50uV. There is a calibration procedure in the manual. And it has suggested materials for calibration. But these do not seem to be available anymore. Can you provide some alternatives that would work for this calibration procedure? I'm looking to keep budget <$500.
Thanks!
Nanitamuscen:
I think you can consider Yokogawa calibrators. Both old versions and more modern ones.
You can also visit the website of the respected Ian Scott Johnston. This person produces small batches of very good calibrators.
bdunham7:
--- Quote from: fmashockie on September 10, 2023, 05:27:52 pm ---Thank you for your reply! So I guess for simplicity, I'll start with the Analogic AN3100. I've attached the full service manual. Accuracy is +-50uV. There is a calibration procedure in the manual. And it has suggested materials for calibration. But these do not seem to be available anymore. Can you provide some alternatives that would work for this calibration procedure? I'm looking to keep budget <$500.
--- End quote ---
Since you've apparently already acquired it, it would be more useful to consider what you can do with it. You can verify some of the basic functions of a typical 4.5-digit multimeter, which is a good handheld or low-end bench meter. You can also use the accurate and stable output for other things, but since we have no idea what you are wanting to do, its hard to know what use the device might be to you.
The device and manual are old enough that the calibration procedures and standards are thorougly obsolete. The Julie Research items listed in the manual might be found in a museum, but not likely on a metrologists bench. The way this would be done nowadays would be to simply use a good 6.5-digit DMM (or better) with a recent calibration to verify and adjust if needed. A cal lab would likely just use their 3458A so as not to have any issues with TUR/TAR or guardbanding. Professional calibration would probably be pretty cost-ineffective.
Metrology is an expensive and time consuming hobby! The best thing I can think of for you to do at or near your budget is to round up a decent condition HP/Agilent 34401A.
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