Simple, homebrewed electronics lab calibration equipment

Technology
Simple, homebrewed electronics lab calibration equipment
testCalibrate_1.jpg
testCalibrate_2.jpg

Jan Lategahn (Germany) has put together a series of articles and links describing simple ways to calibrate amateur electronic instruments with a fair degree of accuracy without having to spend a bundle on a professional calibration lab. Methods and devices include DC and AC voltages, resistance, current, RF level, and frequency. Above are Jan’s homemade resistance and DC reference voltage calibrators.

Calibration standards

4 thoughts on “Simple, homebrewed electronics lab calibration equipment

  1. jason1729 says:

    Temperature has an effect on resistors and semi-conductors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistance#Temperature_dependence

    It doesn’t look like this system take it into account, so just how good can it be as far as precision calibration?

    Just like most calibrations (volume, pressure, etc), there are other factors that need to be considered.

  2. keithO says:

    I disagree that this is not good for calibration. If you read Jan’s website, you will see they are more than adequate problems he was trying to solve.

    The voltage source uses an LT1021, which is temperature compensated to 5ppm/deg C. Since it has an initial accuracy of about 500ppm, I think you can ignore the temperature effects on this one. This standard is good enough to calibrate a 3.5 digit meter to +- one LSD.

    His Resistance standard has a stated accuracy of 0.1% (1000ppm). Typical resistors of that spec are 25ppm/deg C at worst. Digikey stocks 10ppm parts for more money.

    Are they NIST traceable, standards lab quality? No. But I think these would be very useful for any hobbyist.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK