Multifunction calibrators

[David C. Partridge]

I'm considering the purchase of a multi-function calibrator to handle up to
6.5 digit meters (or better). GPIB support is probably essential.

An obvious candidate is the Fluke 5520A, possibly with the scope calibration
option though I can do without that as I have other equipment to cover that
sort of work, however this is a little pricey.

What other calibrators should I be looking at? I'm very happy to buy used
equipment (possibly the older Datron stuff) if I can be sure that I can get
it fixed and calibrated still and that it will work correctly here in UK on
230V 50Hz.

Any active metrologists watching who can make some recommendations
(including options needed) and target pricing?

Thanks
--
Dave Partridge (remove xwy from replyto email address)

 

[carneyke]

Fluke 5700. That's what we use...... They are getting older now and
should have come down in price but they are a STANDARD.... Maybe you
need to get seperate boxes (DC Volts, DC Current, AC Voltage, AC
Current and Resistance. Should be tons of it out there, but how
reliable will it be ? Will it go out of tolerance ? A good
multicalibrator is no small design / build task, as you know. Your
Fellow Metrologist On The Other Side Of The "Pond", Kevin

David C. Partridge wrote:

I'm considering the purchase of a multi-function calibrator to handle up to
6.5 digit meters (or better). GPIB support is probably essential.

An obvious candidate is the Fluke 5520A, possibly with the scope calibration
option though I can do without that as I have other equipment to cover that
sort of work, however this is a little pricey.

What other calibrators should I be looking at? I'm very happy to buy used
equipment (possibly the older Datron stuff) if I can be sure that I can get
it fixed and calibrated still and that it will work correctly here in UK on
230V 50Hz.

Any active metrologists watching who can make some recommendations
(including options needed) and target pricing?

Thanks
--
Dave Partridge (remove xwy from replyto email address)

 

[JW]

On Wed, 31 May 2006 09:06:45 +0100 "David C. Partridge"
<mimx64xwy@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in Message id:
<4sydneW5D7w60-DZRVnyuw@pipex.net>:

What other calibrators should I be looking at? I'm very happy to buy used
equipment (possibly the older Datron stuff) if I can be sure that I can get
it fixed and calibrated still and that it will work correctly here in UK on
230V 50Hz.

Any active metrologists watching who can make some recommendations
(including options needed) and target pricing?

This one's been for sale for at least a year now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3851198881

Every now and then I check on it to see if it's sold yet - I'd like to
have this one, but the company I work for is too cheap. I have all
separate devices that cost me about 4-600 USD apiece on Ebay.

 

[David C. Partridge]

"JW" <none@dev.nul> wrote:

This one's been for sale for at least a year now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3851198881

I thought the older Wavetek calibrators were power supply voltage/frequency
specific (i.e. 110V 60Hz couldn't be converted for use with 230V 50Hz by
just fiddling with jumpers). Also I can't make much sense of the Wavetek
calibrator numbers is the 4800A the top of the pile?

PS Where can I find some real technical info (specification sheet, or even
better user & service manuals) on the 4800A, as I came up dry searching for
detail about it - though found quite a few folks selling them at fairly high
prices.

PPS Who will service/calibrate these nowadays - I imagine Fluke will say
"out of support" as they will want to sell me a 5720A!

Thanks
Dave

 

[David C. Partridge]

"JW" <none@dev.nul> wrote

I have all
separate devices that cost me about 4-600 USD apiece on Ebay.

What is your "separate devices" list out of interest?

Cheers
Dave

 

[Robert Lacoste]

"David C. Partridge" <mimx64xwy@dsl.pipex.com> a écrit dans le message de
news: 4sydneW5D7w60-DZRVnyuw@pipex.net...

I'm considering the purchase of a multi-function calibrator to handle up
to 6.5 digit meters (or better). GPIB support is probably essential.

An obvious candidate is the Fluke 5520A, possibly with the scope
calibration option though I can do without that as I have other equipment
to cover that sort of work, however this is a little pricey.

What other calibrators should I be looking at? I'm very happy to buy
used equipment (possibly the older Datron stuff) if I can be sure that I
can get it fixed and calibrated still and that it will work correctly here
in UK on 230V 50Hz.

Hi David,

You can also have a look at Time Electronics products, they have a quite
large range of multifunction calibrators. See
http://www.timeelectronics.co.uk/ (and they are in the UK too...)

Yours,

--
Robert Lacoste
ALCIOM - The mixed signal experts
www.alciom.com

 

[JW]

On Wed, 31 May 2006 14:12:12 +0100 "David C. Partridge"
<mimx64xwy@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in Message id:
<zbydnaezWqawC-DZRVny0Q@pipex.net>:

"JW" <none@dev.nul> wrote:

This one's been for sale for at least a year now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3851198881


I thought the older Wavetek calibrators were power supply voltage/frequency
specific (i.e. 110V 60Hz couldn't be converted for use with 230V 50Hz by
just fiddling with jumpers).

Not sure, but at the link below it claims "4800A Power Requirements
Input Power Universal (Auto Sense and Switch)"

Also I can't make much sense of the Wavetek
calibrator numbers is the 4800A the top of the pile?

I really don't know.

PS Where can I find some real technical info (specification sheet,

Some specs can be had here:
http://analyzer.testmart.com/sp.cfm/CALIBR/WAVEPR/4800A.html

or even
better user & service manuals) on the 4800A, as I came up dry searching for
detail about it - though found quite a few folks selling them at fairly high
prices.
PPS Who will service/calibrate these nowadays - I imagine Fluke will say
"out of support" as they will want to sell me a 5720A!

There are third party calibration houses. We use Essco.

 

[JW]

On Wed, 31 May 2006 14:14:22 +0100 "David C. Partridge"
<mimx64xwy@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in Message id:
<rZKdnfLKdPotC-DZRVnytg@pipex.net>:

"JW" <none@dev.nul> wrote
I have all
separate devices that cost me about 4-600 USD apiece on Ebay.

What is your "separate devices" list out of interest?

For DC voltage calibration I use a Valhalla 2701B; For AC, an HP 745A; for
resistance a Fluke 5450A. If you're on a tight budget, separates can save
you a lot of cash, and if something goes wrong, they're cheaper and/or
easier to repair.