On Mar 1, 12:27 pm, "Too_Many_Tools" wrote:
I have a well stocked test bench at home containing a range of analog,
digital and RF test equipment as I am sure most of you also do.

Well the question I have is how do you handle the calibration of your
equipment? What do you use for calibration standards for resistance,
voltage, current and frequency?

Links to recommended circuits, pictures and sources would be
appreciated.

Since this is a need for anyone who has test equipment, I hope to see
a good discussion on this subject.

If you've got that sort of gear at home then usually you have better
(and calibrated) gear at work as well, in which case most of us would
simply bring in our gear from home and spot check it against the good
gear.

In the absense of this gear, you can simply use precision components.
Voltage reference chips with 0.05% or better are cheap and readilly
available.
0.01% resistors are available too.

If you have multiple meters for example, you can also keep an eye on
them by comparison. Using any old component, if all three meters read
the same then you can be pretty confident they haven't drifted.

Checking scope horizontal timebases is easy with a crystal oscillator
and divider.

There are various methods for getting an accurate frequency standard,
but one of the newst methods is using a GPS derived reference. Second
hand Rubidium standards can also be had on eBay.

Generally though, good quality test gear does not drift out of spec,
so the need for regular calibration is minimal.

Dave

David L. Jones wrote:

On Mar 1, 12:27 pm, "Too_Many_Tools" wrote:

I have a well stocked test bench at home containing a range of analog,
digital and RF test equipment as I am sure most of you also do.

Well the question I have is how do you handle the calibration of your
equipment? What do you use for calibration standards for resistance,
voltage, current and frequency?

Links to recommended circuits, pictures and sources would be
appreciated.

Since this is a need for anyone who has test equipment, I hope to see
a good discussion on this subject.


If you've got that sort of gear at home then usually you have better
(and calibrated) gear at work as well, in which case most of us would
simply bring in our gear from home and spot check it against the good
gear.

In the absense of this gear, you can simply use precision components.
Voltage reference chips with 0.05% or better are cheap and readilly
available.
0.01% resistors are available too.

If you have multiple meters for example, you can also keep an eye on
them by comparison. Using any old component, if all three meters read
the same then you can be pretty confident they haven't drifted.

Checking scope horizontal timebases is easy with a crystal oscillator
and divider.

There are various methods for getting an accurate frequency standard,
but one of the newst methods is using a GPS derived reference. Second
hand Rubidium standards can also be had on eBay.

Generally though, good quality test gear does not drift out of spec,
so the need for regular calibration is minimal.

Dave

True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.

On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:
David L. Jones wrote:
On Mar 1, 12:27 pm, "Too_Many_Tools" wrote:

I have a well stocked test bench at home containing a range of analog,
digital and RF test equipment as I am sure most of you also do.

Well the question I have is how do you handle the calibration of your
equipment? What do you use for calibration standards for resistance,
voltage, current and frequency?

Links to recommended circuits, pictures and sources would be
appreciated.

Since this is a need for anyone who has test equipment, I hope to see
a good discussion on this subject.

If you've got that sort of gear at home then usually you have better
(and calibrated) gear at work as well, in which case most of us would
simply bring in our gear from home and spot check it against the good
gear.

In the absense of this gear, you can simply use precision components.
Voltage reference chips with 0.05% or better are cheap and readilly
available.
0.01% resistors are available too.

If you have multiple meters for example, you can also keep an eye on
them by comparison. Using any old component, if all three meters read
the same then you can be pretty confident they haven't drifted.

Checking scope horizontal timebases is easy with a crystal oscillator
and divider.

There are various methods for getting an accurate frequency standard,
but one of the newst methods is using a GPS derived reference. Second
hand Rubidium standards can also be had on eBay.

Generally though, good quality test gear does not drift out of spec,
so the need for regular calibration is minimal.

Dave

True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.

Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20

Dave

On 28 Feb 2007 22:45:45 -0800 "David L. Jones" wrote
in Message id: .com:

On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:

[...]

True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.

Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20

You guys are paying *way* too much. We use Riedon .01% precision resistors
in our A/D products, and pay about 5 bucks apiece. Their site is down at
the moment, but even Digikey has .01% resistors for around the same price:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...S&Cat=34342147

On Mar 1, 9:20 pm, JW wrote:
On 28 Feb 2007 22:45:45 -0800 "David L. Jones" wrote
in Message id: .com:

On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:

[...]

True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.

Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20

You guys are paying *way* too much. We use Riedon .01% precision resistors
in our A/D products, and pay about 5 bucks apiece. Their site is down at
the moment, but even Digikey has .01% resistors for around the same price:http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...ria?Ref=3107&S...

It's not too much when you only want a couple, and you can have it
within the hour.

If you want volume and price matters, sure, you shop around.

Dave

JW wrote:

On 28 Feb 2007 22:45:45 -0800 "David L. Jones" wrote
in Message id: .com:


On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:


[...]


True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.

Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20


You guys are paying *way* too much. We use Riedon .01% precision resistors
in our A/D products, and pay about 5 bucks apiece. Their site is down at
the moment, but even Digikey has .01% resistors for around the same price:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...S&Cat=34342147
"Your search criteria has expired"
Furthermore a search on "34342147" (no quotes) gets zero matches.
A search on "3107" (no quotes) gets matches that are not better than 1%.
Strangely enough, a search on "precision resistors" (no quotes_ is as
bad.
Worse, a search for "resistors" and wading thru the various types
gets *at best* Chip Resistor-Thin Film(67311 items) with 0.02% as the
best or tolerance listed.
So......
Where are those mysterious 0.01% resistors???

On Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:38:04 GMT Robert Baer
wrote in Message id:
. net:

JW wrote:

On 28 Feb 2007 22:45:45 -0800 "David L. Jones" wrote
in Message id: .com:


On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:


[...]


True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.

Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20


You guys are paying *way* too much. We use Riedon .01% precision resistors
in our A/D products, and pay about 5 bucks apiece. Their site is down at
the moment, but even Digikey has .01% resistors for around the same price:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...S&Cat=34342147
"Your search criteria has expired"

I hate it when that happens...

Furthermore a search on "34342147" (no quotes) gets zero matches.
A search on "3107" (no quotes) gets matches that are not better than 1%.
Strangely enough, a search on "precision resistors" (no quotes_ is as
bad.
Worse, a search for "resistors" and wading thru the various types
gets *at best* Chip Resistor-Thin Film(67311 items) with 0.02% as the
best or tolerance listed.
So......
Where are those mysterious 0.01% resistors???

Put .01% into the search box and you'll get a link to the .01% resistors.
For quantity 1 they are 5-6 bucks apiece.

Or maybe this link will work if it doesn't expire, that is:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...S&Cat=34342147

Robert Baer wrote:
JW wrote:

On 28 Feb 2007 22:45:45 -0800 "David L. Jones" wrote
in Message id: .com:


On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:



[...]


True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.


Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20



You guys are paying *way* too much. We use Riedon .01% precision
resistors
in our A/D products, and pay about 5 bucks apiece. Their site is down at
the moment, but even Digikey has .01% resistors for around the same
price:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...S&Cat=34342147


"Your search criteria has expired"
Furthermore a search on "34342147" (no quotes) gets zero matches.
A search on "3107" (no quotes) gets matches that are not better than 1%.
Strangely enough, a search on "precision resistors" (no quotes_ is as
bad.
Worse, a search for "resistors" and wading thru the various types gets
*at best* Chip Resistor-Thin Film(67311 items) with 0.02% as the best or
tolerance listed.
So......
Where are those mysterious 0.01% resistors???


Try DigiKey Part # MR102-100-.01-ND

Ed

David L. Jones wrote:
On Mar 1, 5:09 pm, Robert Baer wrote:

David L. Jones wrote:

On Mar 1, 12:27 pm, "Too_Many_Tools" wrote:

I have a well stocked test bench at home containing a range of analog,
digital and RF test equipment as I am sure most of you also do.

Well the question I have is how do you handle the calibration of your
equipment? What do you use for calibration standards for resistance,
voltage, current and frequency?

Links to recommended circuits, pictures and sources would be
appreciated.

Since this is a need for anyone who has test equipment, I hope to see
a good discussion on this subject.

If you've got that sort of gear at home then usually you have better
(and calibrated) gear at work as well, in which case most of us would
simply bring in our gear from home and spot check it against the good
gear.

In the absense of this gear, you can simply use precision components.
Voltage reference chips with 0.05% or better are cheap and readilly
available.
0.01% resistors are available too.

If you have multiple meters for example, you can also keep an eye on
them by comparison. Using any old component, if all three meters read
the same then you can be pretty confident they haven't drifted.

Checking scope horizontal timebases is easy with a crystal oscillator
and divider.

There are various methods for getting an accurate frequency standard,
but one of the newst methods is using a GPS derived reference. Second
hand Rubidium standards can also be had on eBay.

Generally though, good quality test gear does not drift out of spec,
so the need for regular calibration is minimal.

Dave

True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.


Not so.
RS Components have 0.01% resistors for AU$34.50 (US$26)
Farnell have 0.02% for as little as AU$20

Dave

You guys outside the US ahve it soooo good!
Here in the US, it is like i mentioned.

On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 06:09:35 GMT, Robert Baer
Gave us:

David L. Jones wrote:

On Mar 1, 12:27 pm, "Too_Many_Tools" wrote:

I have a well stocked test bench at home containing a range of analog,
digital and RF test equipment as I am sure most of you also do.

Well the question I have is how do you handle the calibration of your
equipment? What do you use for calibration standards for resistance,
voltage, current and frequency?

Links to recommended circuits, pictures and sources would be
appreciated.

Since this is a need for anyone who has test equipment, I hope to see
a good discussion on this subject.


If you've got that sort of gear at home then usually you have better
(and calibrated) gear at work as well, in which case most of us would
simply bring in our gear from home and spot check it against the good
gear.

In the absense of this gear, you can simply use precision components.
Voltage reference chips with 0.05% or better are cheap and readilly
available.
0.01% resistors are available too.

If you have multiple meters for example, you can also keep an eye on
them by comparison. Using any old component, if all three meters read
the same then you can be pretty confident they haven't drifted.

Checking scope horizontal timebases is easy with a crystal oscillator
and divider.

There are various methods for getting an accurate frequency standard,
but one of the newst methods is using a GPS derived reference. Second
hand Rubidium standards can also be had on eBay.

Generally though, good quality test gear does not drift out of spec,
so the need for regular calibration is minimal.

Dave

True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.


Or if the order is large enough.

MassiveProng wrote:

On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 06:09:35 GMT, Robert Baer
Gave us:


David L. Jones wrote:


On Mar 1, 12:27 pm, "Too_Many_Tools" wrote:


I have a well stocked test bench at home containing a range of analog,
digital and RF test equipment as I am sure most of you also do.

Well the question I have is how do you handle the calibration of your
equipment? What do you use for calibration standards for resistance,
voltage, current and frequency?

Links to recommended circuits, pictures and sources would be
appreciated.

Since this is a need for anyone who has test equipment, I hope to see
a good discussion on this subject.


If you've got that sort of gear at home then usually you have better
(and calibrated) gear at work as well, in which case most of us would
simply bring in our gear from home and spot check it against the good
gear.

In the absense of this gear, you can simply use precision components.
Voltage reference chips with 0.05% or better are cheap and readilly
available.
0.01% resistors are available too.

If you have multiple meters for example, you can also keep an eye on
them by comparison. Using any old component, if all three meters read
the same then you can be pretty confident they haven't drifted.

Checking scope horizontal timebases is easy with a crystal oscillator
and divider.

There are various methods for getting an accurate frequency standard,
but one of the newst methods is using a GPS derived reference. Second
hand Rubidium standards can also be had on eBay.

Generally though, good quality test gear does not drift out of spec,
so the need for regular calibration is minimal.

Dave


True, 0.01% resistors are available, *but* they are extremely
expensive (over $100 each) and they are made when and if the
manufacturer sees fit to do so.



Or if the order is large enough.
Ahhh yesss....the Golden Rule.