[ARC5] Meter Calibration

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

> ---- Glen Zook <gzook at yahoo.com> wrote: 
> > There is almost always a "trade off" between the absolute cost, the
> > absolute precision, and the physical quality of test equipment.  It
> > all "boils down" to the precision that is actually required to
> > accomplish the task at hand.

Yes. I have very, very seldom ever needed greater accuracy than a decent 
Simpson 260, Heathkit VTVM, or HP-410B can provide. I have several 
Flukes and other digital meters, including at least two different Radio Shack 
meters. They all agree within only a few percent, so I have not worried about 
accuracy for several years now.

If I need anything more accurate, I generally go out to the University of Idaho 
and borrow one of their laborartory standards. I DO know how to use one of 
those without damaging it. I used to repair and calibrate them.

In 99 44/100% of the time, there is simply no need for such accuracy.

> The Harbor Freight 98674 meter falls fairly near the middle of the
> precision range and the little "red" meters are a lot closer to the
> bottom of the range (although they are not at the bottom end).  In
> both cases, the usefulness of the DMMs are well worth the cost.

I have one of those "Little Red Meters", and have found it to be very useful, 
since I don't have to worry too much about "protecting" it, and it does an 
adequate job for most things. As I remember it, it came with "something" else 
I bought. I was surprised to find it in the package, in fact.

Ken W7EKB