Tester in need of calibration ?

[thomo27]

Hi

my Robin ins/continuity tester gives a reading of 0.86 when I touch my leads together , the range is set to 20Mohm which is the lowest range , the tester doesn't have a zero out facility so its a case of taking the reading and substracting the 0.86 , an example of a continuity reading on a lighting circuit for CPC is 1.12 so 0.26 which im told seems a bit high , does my meter sound like it need calibrating ?

Cheers

Ste

 

[333rocky333]

My robin meter has a black dial to zero it, but i think it only works on ohm range not megohms.
Can you post a pic of it, showing the face where the dials and buttons are

 

[cornishman]

In my opinion all test equipment should be calibrated annually, or proven against a known source.
If your test equipment is out of cal it would give false results and possibly dangerous situations.

I used to be responsible for my company's test equip to ISO 9001.

John

 

[Spark123]

Have you added fused test leads? Are the batteries new?

 

[thomo27]

Batteries were brand new when it was received , the fuse is OK I tested this with a multimeter, the test leads are the standard Robin leads that came with the meter.

Pic to follow (Rocky)

 

[333rocky333]

the model no will do, or even better a link to a pic on e bay or somewhere

 

[Qedelec]

Just a thought but have you tried shorting the lead terminals with a piece of heavy guage wire to eliminate the leads.
Incidentally I check my test gear monthly against a known good source and because I log the results I can see any deviation trend before it gets serious.
Once a year calibration is, in my opinion, not enough.

 

[333rocky333]

Hi the range is set to 20Mohm which is the lowest range ,

Does any meter zero on that range,I would have thought it was too high for accurate continuity,including the voltage!

 

[Taylortwocities]

If you have the KTS1610 then this model does not have the lead null feature and you'll have to deduct the resistance of the leads from all resistance measurements.

You'd need the 1620 or above to get the null feature.

Its a right royal pain but mine (happily) had a very nasty accident. It doesnt like 230V up its chuff when set to continuity. It now makes a very nice doorstop.

I agree with the above. You should have a current calibration cert - and you must run self checks at least once a month to ensure the results are not drifting.

 

[thomo27]

Hi

The model number is KMP3010 DL

The settings are 20 ohm 200 ohm and 2000ohm (I have been taught to always have it set to the lowest ohm range) , it does give a zero reading when set to 2000 but no reading once I do the test.

I will try some new batteries and if the same occurs I will have it looked at.

 

[sparkybird]

I have found that the resistance of my test leads has increased slightly over time - I guess coz they get bashed around and the swap over connections for croc clips/probes deteriorate.

How about trying a new set?