Understanding the Basics of Multimeter Calibration

A guide to RS Calibration Services

Why is Multimeter Calibration Important?

Your multimeter is your trusted partner in the electrical world. You rely on it for precise readings to diagnose problems, ensure safety, and complete projects successfully. But just like any tool, its accuracy can drift over time. Several factors can contribute to a multimeter losing accuracy over time including:

Component aging - like any electronic device, the internal components of a multimeter can degrade over time
Environmental factors – for example extreme temperatures, humidity, or exposure to dust and other contaminants
Electrical stress - using a multimeter beyond its specified voltage or current ratings can put stress on its internal components
Severe Drop or mistreatment of the device

Here at RS, we understand that multimeter calibration is a crucial aspect for ensuring accurate measurements and maintaining the integrity of your electronic projects or work. By understanding the importance of calibration, following proper calibration procedures, and adhering to best practices you can trust in the precision and reliability of your multimeter for years to come as well as contributing to the safety and efficiency of your work.

Multimeters are used throughout industries for reliable readings.

Whether you're a professional electrician, a seasoned hobbyist, or anyone who relies on their multimeter for accurate results, calibration is an essential investment. It's a simple step that ensures the safety, efficiency, and overall success of your electrical work.

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Why Calibrate? It's All About Trust

Think of calibration as a tune-up for your multimeter. It verifies that your readings are within the manufacturer's specifications, ensuring you can trust the data you're collecting. Here's what's at stake:

Safety First: Inaccurate readings can lead to misdiagnoses of electrical issues, potentially putting you or your equipment at risk. Calibration minimises this risk by guaranteeing your meter's performance.

Confidence in Decisions: Whether you're troubleshooting a circuit or verifying component compatibility, accurate measurements are crucial. Calibration empowers you to make informed decisions based on reliable data.

Saving Time and Money: Imagine replacing a perfectly good component based on a faulty reading. Calibration helps prevent these costly mistakes, saving you time and resources in the long run.

Extending Multimeter Life: Regular calibration can identify minor performance issues early on, allowing for adjustments and preventing more serious problems down the road.

How Often Should Multimeter Calibrtion Be Performed?

The recommended multimeter calibration frequency depends on several factors, but there are some general guidelines:

General rule: Many manufacturers recommend annual calibration as a starting point.

However please consider these following factors to adjust the interval:

Precision needs: Critical measurements or applications with tight tolerances may require more frequent calibration, like every 3-6 months.
Usage: Heavily used meters, especially handheld ones prone to drops, might benefit from more frequent checks. Less used benchtop models can likely wait a year.
Environment: Extreme temperatures, humidity, or vibration can accelerate drift, requiring shorter calibration intervals.
Accuracy requirements: For exceptional precision, aim for 3-6 month calibrations. For typical electronic work, annual calibration is often sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Multimeters Need to be Calibrated?

Yes, multimeters do need to be calibrated periodically to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their measurements. Calibration is essential because multimeters, like all measuring instruments, can drift over time due to factors such as aging components, environmental conditions, or physical damage. This drift can lead to inaccuracies in readings, which can compromise the quality of your work, whether in electronics repair, engineering, or scientific research.

How much does it cost to calibrate an existing multimeter?

Use our price calculator to find out the cost to calibrate your existing equipment.

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What types of errors do you get in a multimeter that hasn’t been calibrated?

A multimeter that hasn't been calibrated can introduce a variety of errors into your readings, affecting both the accuracy (how close the reading is to the true value) and precision (consistency of repeated measurements). Potential issues may include:

Drifting Measurements: Over time, the internal components of your multimeter can slightly degrade, causing its readings to slowly deviate from the actual value. This drift can be positive or negative, making readings higher or lower than reality.
Reduced Precision: Even if the overall accuracy isn't severely impacted, an uncalibrated meter might exhibit inconsistencies when taking repeated measurements of the same value. This can make it difficult to get a reliable picture of what's being measured.
Non-Linear Errors: In some cases, the error caused by a lack of calibration might not be a simple offset. The meter might introduce distortions that increase or decrease as the measurement value itself changes. This can be particularly problematic for sensitive measurements or when working across a wide range of values.

Can I calibrate my own multimeter?

Calibrating your own multimeter can be a bit tricky and might not always be recommended, especially if you require precise measurements for professional or critical applications. However, for hobbyist or non-critical applications, basic adjustments can sometimes be made following the instructions provided in the multimeters manual. These adjustments often involve zeroing and adjusting for accuracy using trim pots or other controls provided by the manufacturer.

If precise measurements are essential, it's generally best to send your multimeter to a certified calibration laboratory or manufacturer for calibration. This ensures that your instrument meets industry standards and provides accurate readings.

Does the RS Lab calibrate both analogue multimeters and digital multimeters?

To confirm if your specific multimeter model is eligible for calibration through our services, please contact us on 01536 405545 for assistance.

What tests are carried out during multimeter calibration?

AC and DC Current Test
AC and DC Voltage Test
Capacitance Test
Diode Test
Duty Cycle
Frequency Test
Logic Test
Continuity Test
Resistance Check
Battery replacement
Checking for proper functionality of all buttons, switches, and display.
Verifying the instrument meets safety standards.

What does UKAS accredited mean?

UKAS stands for the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. When an organisation or laboratory is UKAS accredited, it means that it has been assessed against internationally recognised standards to demonstrate competence, impartiality, and performance capability. This accreditation verifies that the organisation meets specific criteria and can provide reliable and accurate services, such as testing, calibration, certification, and inspection.

In essence, UKAS accreditation provides confidence in the quality and reliability of the services offered by an organisation, which is essential for maintaining credibility and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.

RS offers UKAS accreditation which is fully traceable to UK national standards and is recognised as the industry mark of quality internationally and an RS standard certificate which is fully traceable to UK national standards

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RS Calibration Service

Most of our test and measurement equipment is available to buy with our calibration service. This means that when you purchase and receive your devices, it will be calibrated and able to be used straight away. You can also send us your equipment for re-calibration annually.

Our test and measurement range offers thousands of products, calibrated to your specifications. Just choose the calibrated version and checkout, and you’ll get an email to confirm any specific requirements. In just three days, your product arrives—calibrated, fine-tuned, and ready to go.

Buy new calibrated products

We’ll calibrate your existing equipment—no matter where you bought it—delivering top-quality service with a quick turnaround. Get an instant price and book in your equipment for collection!

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