[Boatanchors] DC Voltmeter Calibration

[Al Klase]

CORRECT ANSWER!!!

Modern DVM's all contain band-gap references. These are semiconductor 
devices that use quantum-physical principles to generate a know voltage. 
They are much more accurate than anything else you're going to lay 
mortal hands upon. Sit down with a AA cell, and compare two or three 
DVM's. You'll be amazed.

In my case:

$300+ Fluke 87 1.588V
$70'ish Escort 1.589V
$11 Ebay cheapie 1.592V

A VR tube or Zener diode won't even come close.

Al

Al Klase – N3FRQ
Jersey City, NJ
http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/

On 1/7/2016 1:38 PM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald wrote:
> I'd bet you'd get a lot closer than what you have already
> by using a cheap (sometimes even free) digital meter
> from Harbor Freight as a "standard for comparison."
>   
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> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
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>
>> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 13:02:11 -0500
>> To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] DC Voltmeter Calibration
>> From: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> A quick and dirty way that will get you a lot closer than +/- 45 VDC would
>> be to rig up a VR-150 running at about 20 mA.
>>
>> In a message dated 01/07/2016 10:25:07 AM Central Standard Time,
>> dhallam at knology.net writes:
>>> I obviously need to calibrate my DC voltmeters.  I was setting the 300
>>> VDC B+ on my signal generation after some repairs.  I used 3 voltmeters
>>> and got a spread of 45V among the 3 of them, low 285V and high330V.  The
>>> low was a VTVM and the high  DVM.  What is a good standard to use that
>>> won't break the bank to acquire?  I used to have some mercury batteries
>>> but they are a no, no any more.
>>>
>>> David
>>> KW4DH
>> Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
>> wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
>> MVPA 9480
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