uncalibrated meters

[kmaccui]

Hi guys my Megger Multifunction tester stopped working 2 weeks ago and the boss is making me use uncalibrated individual testers at the moment. Is there a legal requirment to be using calibrated testers?

These testers were due for calibration in 2009 and TBH i dont trust the readings.

Apparently Megger want

 

[alpha spark]

Does your company have its own test procedure ie test it every month with known resistances are they a nic company cos surely when they have there yearly assessment this should be checked along with a calibration cert

 

[Manator]

All testers have to be calibrated, if not how can you prove the reading you get?

 

[Apache]

You are signing your name against those test results. IF something went wrong then it would be you they had by the balls.

Do you know any sparks with a calibrated meter you could compare the testers with?

Assuming you are signing the certificates it is your call. If you are not happy don't do it.

 

[Andy™]

if its checked often, then you can extend calibration period

 

[Phoenix]

Round here, the NICEIC is happy for testers to be regularly checked against the companies test box (which is sent off for calibration) in lieau of the testers needing a valid calibration cert, as that would be a logistical nightmare to do.

 

[OnOff]

[No message]

 

[Apache]

If you sign a certificate with results on that you know (or strongly believe) to be incorrect that could be classed as fraud.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

All testers have to be calibrated, if not how can you prove the reading you get?

We test our 6 meters against each other & a test box

 

[kmaccui]

we dont have a test procedure to test against the other testers.

there is another tester, i never thought about comparing results so will do that next week

i am NOT signing any sheets i am doing the tests and putting the results on the sheet but no way am i gonna say i am ok with the results i have found.

thanks guys

 

[n67250]

Calibration by is vital because you have proof that the meter has been correctly tested and audited by a UKAS accredited electrical calibration laboratory. Its your legal proof that your meter readings were within accepted tolerances...very handy when you are the defendant !

 

[Andy™]

Calibration by is vital because you have proof that the meter has been correctly tested and audited by a UKAS accredited electrical calibration laboratory. Its your legal proof that your meter readings were within accepted tolerances...very handy when you are the defendant !

regular checking is much better than a yearly calibration anyway

if you only calibrate it yearly, and it goes give a false reading a wek later, then you may end up with 51 weeks on inaccurate readings.

check it often, and you may only end up with 2-3 weeks of false readings.

mine was calibrated early this year. before that, it was never calibrated for 3 years. it gets checked every 2 weeks, sometimes weekly if i have time. assessor is happy with this

 

[n67250]

Yes I totally agree with that Andy that is good practice.

 

[PC Electrics]

Surely, using meters that have had no calibration (or checks) for a long period (perhaps through no usage) breaks the terms of the companies AC status?

Bottom line: if anyone has cause in the future to call your testing into question, you won't have a leg to stand on.

 

[Manator]

Depends on your field of work, if you work to UKAS and one of them standards that we work to but I can never remember which ISO number we are up to, then an annual calibration is required as well as the monthly self checks.

 

[ISSWWW]

This question of calibration is raised quite often here and to us on a regular basis, i have checked with all scheme providers at one time or another and the answer tends to be:

Calibrate annually at a Calibration house (could be UKAS but doesn't need to be for most circumstances), should be traceable to national standards.

You should get a full certificate.

Check regularly with a known source (could be check box) for on going accuracy.

This seems to me to be the most sensible routine to keep your tester in good order and maintain peace of mind, the average cost of a calibration for a MFT is say

 

[steptoe]

Mark, if I get chance, Ive just been thrown an emergency job needs doing before I head off to Cornwall for the weekend[going Thursday afternoon], so Im hoping to have time to get to elex before I go, just got finished at half 10 tonight, still doing paperwork.

 

[niceandripe]

hey mark can you calibrate my megger 1552?

 

[Andy™]

hey mark can you calibrate my megger 1552?

best send him a PM, he may not see that post

 

[paul b b]

He's on holiday..but back tomorrow ( i hope....megger is with him and assessment due :/)