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- Kimball Electronic Laboratory, INC.
Covers DMM calibration, common measurement functions, accuracy, tolerances, and calibration frequency.
Multimeter calibration helps ensure that a digital or analog multimeter provides accurate electrical measurements.
Because multimeters are commonly used for testing, troubleshooting, inspection, and maintenance, regular calibration helps organizations maintain confidence in the measurements produced by their equipment.
Multimeter calibration compares the measurements produced by a multimeter against known electrical reference standards.
During calibration, known electrical values are applied to the multimeter and its readings are compared with the values produced by the reference equipment.
This allows the laboratory to determine how accurately the multimeter is performing.
Multimeters can experience changes in measurement performance over time due to component aging, frequent use, environmental conditions, physical damage, and other factors.
Even small measurement errors can become important when a multimeter is being used to inspect equipment, troubleshoot electrical systems, or verify that a component meets a required specification.
Regular calibration helps identify these errors and provides documented evidence of the instrument’s performance.
A multimeter is typically connected to calibration equipment capable of generating precise electrical values.
Depending on the multimeter’s capabilities, technicians may test several measurement functions at multiple points throughout the instrument’s range.
The multimeter’s readings are compared with the reference values and evaluated against the applicable specifications or tolerances.
Common multimeter measurement functions include DC voltage, AC voltage, DC current, AC current, and resistance.
Depending on the instrument, additional functions such as frequency, capacitance, and temperature may also be evaluated.
The exact calibration procedure depends on the multimeter’s specifications and measurement capabilities.
Many organizations use a 12-month calibration interval, although the appropriate frequency depends on how the multimeter is used.
Manufacturer recommendations, frequency of use, historical calibration results, measurement criticality, customer requirements, and operating conditions can all influence the appropriate interval.
Equipment should also be evaluated whenever there is reason to question its measurement accuracy.
Reliable electrical measurements are important throughout manufacturing, maintenance, aviation, aerospace, electronics, and many other industries.
Proper multimeter calibration helps organizations identify measurement drift, maintain confidence in electrical testing, and support their quality and calibration programs.
