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How To Check The Accuracy Of Your Meters

By on July 19, 2014
dmm check plus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dmm check plus

I wanted something with some verified measurement values that I could have for anytime I questioned one of my meters; or just to have for a reference. I decided to get the DMM Check Plus from voltagestandard.com. It has verified A/C & D/C volts & amps references, and 4 precision Vishay type PTF56 – 0.1% 10ppm/⁰C resistors connected in series, in 100Ω, 1K, 10K, 100K. The voltage references are 5 volts, and the amps are 1mA, for A/C & D/C.

 

You can see from the photo below what the actual measured values are and the equipment used to obtain them. It also has a 100Hz oscillator & duty cycle reference.

 dmmcheck plus

As you can see from the photos below, my new Fluke 87 is the most accurate of my meters. But my other meters were not too bad. My Peak LCR45 meter from anatek.com did pretty good. My Extech did ok, but it doesn’t read D/C amps. It is more for an electrician than for electronics, which is why I bought the Fluke. My trusty Tenma analog did ok on volts & amps.

I must say that I was impressed with the shipping from VoltageStandard! My DMM Check Plus was inside a good anti-static bag, and was in a large box stuffed full of foam chips to help keep it safe and undamaged. Way to go guys!!

I really like this unit and had a lot of fun comparing my meters with it. I figured that my Fluke 87 would win hands down, and it did. Let me show you some good pictures:

dmmcheckplusdmmcheckplus1dmmcheckplus2dmmcheckplus3dmmcheckplus4

The DMM Check Plus uses a 9V battery, and has reverse polarity protection. The reference voltages and currents are derived from the Texas Instruments REF5050ID (3ppm/⁰C) precision voltage reference IC. The unit is calibrated with a 10MΩ load connected to the voltage output terminals for DCV; 10MΩ is the typical input resistance of most DMM’s measuring DCV. 1MΩ load is used for ACV.

Take anti-static precautions when using the unit.

Recalibration is free for the first 2 years after purchase – just send it to them and include $4.00 in stamps for return shipping in the USA. After 2 years the charge is $5.00 plus shipping. You’ll have to contact them for shipping charges outside of the USA.

I had a lot of fun writing this article, and I hope you guys/gals enjoy it! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Thanks.

robert calk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Calk Jr. is a Hobbyist from the USA and loves learning electronics and how to repair electronic devices.

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24 Comments

  1. beh

    July 19, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    HI Robert
    thanks for article.

    Likes(3)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 19, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      You are welcome my friend. Where have you been? I haven't heard from you in a long time.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
      • beh

        July 21, 2014 at 10:23 am

        my friend ROBERT: i am here with you, but most time i am listening to others rather than to speak . by the way what do think about this LCR 45? do you think this is useful to have one in the lab?

        Likes(2)Dislikes(0)
        • Robert

          July 21, 2014 at 1:05 pm

          Absolutely! I like it very much. The main reason I got it was to check inductors. But it will also tell you if a resistor is a regular resistor, or a inductor/resistor and give you the Henry's & the resistance. For $155 US I think it is well worth the money. But I'm no expert. I guess you should ask Mr. Yong what he thinks.

          Likes(1)Dislikes(0)
          • beh

            July 21, 2014 at 1:44 pm

            HI MR YONG
            please tell us what do think about LCR 45 and what is your experience on LCR 45
            thanks
            DEAR ROBERT
            thanks for reply and guidance like always.
            beh

            Likes(1)Dislikes(0)
            • Jestine Yong

              July 22, 2014 at 8:18 pm

              Hi Beh,

              Since I do not own this tester thus I can't share any experience with it.

              Jestine

              Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  2. yogesh panchal

    July 19, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Informative!! thanks for sharing.

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 19, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Thanks Yogesh. I'm glad you liked it. I forgot about my little Sinometer M300 that I bought for less than $10 when I wrote the article. It did pretty good but doesn't have much resolution.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  3. randy warren

    July 19, 2014 at 11:09 pm

    been wanting to get one of these, thanks for the info!

    Likes(1)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 20, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      You are welcome, Randy. It's really nice having some values that you know are accurate. If I ever question a reading from one of my meters, I can find out real quick if it has drifted. They have less expensive boards than mine also.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  4. mike retz

    July 20, 2014 at 2:27 am

    great article.ive always wondered how accurate my meters were. i have several that dont work. and have wondered if you have any repair info on digital and analog meters and what goes wrong and how to adjust the calibration. . i have an old radio shack meter that quit.. display just seems to float giving random readouts.. you seem to be very dedicated to electronics repair.reat how accurate you write your repair articles...have a great day!!!!! mike retz

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 20, 2014 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Mike, I'm glad you liked it. I love electronics. I can't do much, but I do what I can.
      With your meters, I would just start checking components in the circuit that you're having problems with. If you get them fixed I hope you send in some articles so we can see how you fixed them!

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  5. Pepper Myers

    July 20, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    RE: The Accuracy
    Nice article and impressive photos! (as usual)
    I remember when we got our first DMM in our shop -
    A Fluke 8000. All of a sudden we became way to critical
    of values, particularly rsistors. 5% tolerance was the best
    avaiable for the price.
    Example; A 1000 ohm @ 5% = +/- 50 ohms, or 950 to 1050 ohms.
    It was not uncomon to test resistors until it was as close to
    1000 ohms as possible (-;

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 21, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks Pepper. Most of the time resistor values aren't that critical. I mainly got the Fluke for it's accuracy in mA's & mV's. I'm thinking about getting into solar energy and needed a meter with better accuracy that was not too expensive.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  6. atul m.

    July 21, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Thanx robert very informative and descriptive article.

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 21, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks Atul, I'm happy that you liked it.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  7. Andre Gopee

    July 22, 2014 at 1:19 am

    Nice article. I will check this out and buy one.

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 22, 2014 at 9:07 am

      Thanks Andre. It's a pretty neat unit. It was cheaper than I thought it would be also.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  8. Humberto

    July 22, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    Hi Robert, good article. Sometimes we forget to calibrate our testing instruments, but FLUKE is a good brand, very prestigious. Have a good day.

    Likes(1)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert

      July 23, 2014 at 10:04 pm

      Thanks Humberto. The Fluke is the best DMM I've ever had. If I ever question one of my meters, I can check it with my DMM Check Plus. The Peak Atlas meters are very good also for the money. The Peak Atlas DCA75 Pro is also great for new components that are not in the books yet. It will tell you what they are and give you the voltages & info you need to know about the components.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  9. Dan

    August 4, 2014 at 3:55 am

    that was good insight information thanks

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
    • Robert Calk

      August 4, 2014 at 2:56 pm

      You are welcome Dan.

      Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  10. simon

    August 14, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    hey yog can i have three step fan control with triac and 4017 shematic thanks

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)
  11. Raymundo Saura

    August 27, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    great again article thanks sir

    Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

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