Test equipment calibration. HELP.

[Nic Norwood]

I'm currently doing an assessment for my NVQ3 and have come to a question regarding the need for test equipment to be regularly checked and calibrated. I've sifted through BS:7671, Gs:38 and GN:3 and whilst I've found information regarding the need to physically check equipment, probes and leads for damage etc, I cannot find information regarding calibration requirements.

I have a feeling it may be contained in BS:61557, but do not have the means to access this document right now...any help/pointing in the right direction is much appreciated!

 

[Nic Norwood]

Also may I add that I know it DOES need a certificate of calibration...and the period which it needs a re-test may be dictated by your scheme. I mean is there a particular regulation or piece of legislation I can quote.

 

[guest119]

Until recently, your test meters had to go to be calibrated by a specialist and were labelled with test date and next test date due, usually 12 months.
A recent visit by NICEIC insists that we have our own calibration units (resistance blocks) and check the meters monthly. He wants to see the diary of this for each meter, in our case, CM500 combined units.
So we need a calibration unit which will consist of known resistances for checking Ohms,Kohms and Mohms.
He suggested that we nominate a socket circuit in our office for the live tests, or wire one so we can test earth loop and rcd tripping times, noting them and comparing to the previous months readings.
And of course there is the leads, probes (minimum tip exposure) and healthy batteries.

Hope this helps,

Good luck,

Boydy

 

[guest119]

http://www.esc.org.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/industry/best_practice/BPG7_10.pdf

Checkbox and other info all be it 2008.

 

[shanky887614]

I'm currently doing an assessment for my NVQ3 and have come to a question regarding the need for test equipment to be regularly checked and calibrated. I've sifted through BS:7671, Gs:38 and GN:3 and whilst I've found information regarding the need to physically check equipment, probes and leads for damage etc, I cannot find information regarding calibration requirements.

I have a feeling it may be contained in BS:61557, but do not have the means to access this document right now...any help/pointing in the right direction is much appreciated!

basically you need a tester with the calibration certificate in date, bad idea not to as your supposed to put the meter serial on the test sheets so it can be traced

many places can do this and i know some wholesalers will happily send them off for you to be tested if this makes life easier

 

[Nic Norwood]

Cheers Boydy. I did come across that .pdf earlier in my search and it was helpful, but I suppose the root of my question is, is there an actual regulation that says, other than equipment requires initial calibration, there is a need for re-calibration to a schedule...or is this more of a best practice scenario?

 

[guest119]

BS EN 61010-031:2002+A1:2008 - Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use. Safety requirements for hand-held probe assemblies for electrical measurement and test ? BSI British Standards
http://www.electriciansforums.net/i...nstallations/38209-diy-meter-calibration.html

 

[guest119]

Reg 612.1 mentions choice of test equipment and is satisfied if they are chosen in accordance with bs en 61557

 

[Nic Norwood]

Yeah I understand the need for calibration as it ensures that test equipment is functioning correctly, this ultimately increases the safety of the installation under test, and covers our back as we've taken all necessary paths to ensure installation falls with in prescribed values...

Just seems that the actual information regarding a timely re-cal of equipment is a bit illusive.

 

[Robert Turnbull]

Until recently, your test meters had to go to be calibrated by a specialist and were labelled with test date and next test date due, usually 12 months.
A recent visit by NICEIC insists that we have our own calibration units (resistance blocks) and check the meters monthly. He wants to see the diary of this for each meter, in our case, CM500 combined units.
So we need a calibration unit which will consist of known resistances for checking Ohms,Kohms and Mohms.
He suggested that we nominate a socket circuit in our office for the live tests, or wire one so we can test earth loop and rcd tripping times, noting them and comparing to the previous months readings.
And of course there is the leads, probes (minimum tip exposure) and healthy batteries.

Hope this helps,

Good luck,

Boydy

If your doing this are you expected to still have the annual calibration?