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Discussion of precise voltage measurement

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What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

DD
Dr. David Kirkby
Sun, Jun 30, 2019 11:17 PM

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or
Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit
multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper
ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably
less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but
recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of
that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible
on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but
I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably less. There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. Dave -- Dr. David Kirkby,
JL
J. L. Trantham
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 12:20 AM

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or
Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit
multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper
ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably
less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but
recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of
that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible
on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but
I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
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David, Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago. It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England. I sent two over there for calibration. Good luck. Joe -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably less. There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. Dave -- Dr. David Kirkby, _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
S-
Steve - Home
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 12:44 AM

Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in February this year their sign was gone.

Steve
WB0DBS

On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or
Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit
multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper
ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably
less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but
recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of
that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible
on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but
I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
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Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in February this year their sign was gone. Steve WB0DBS > On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > > David, > > Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? > > If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago. > > It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England. I sent two over there for calibration. > > Good luck. > > Joe > > -----Original Message----- > From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? > > I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or > Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit > multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper > ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably > less. > > There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but > recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of > that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible > on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. > > I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but > I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. > > Dave > -- > Dr. David Kirkby, > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there.
JL
J. L. Trantham
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 1:31 AM

Steve,

I've never calibrated a 7081 but I did use a Solartron Calibrated 7081 as a 'transfer standard' to calibrate a 3458A before I sent the 3458A to Agilent (at the time) for calibration.  The 3458A passed every measure 'in spec' when received by Agilent except for one of the ranges on AC voltage, at 100KHz, IIRC.  I think I made a post about it several years ago.

I wonder how hard it would be to calibrate a 7081 using a 3458A (or similar) as the 'transfer standard'.

However, it will still be slow.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Steve - Home
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 7:44 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in February this year their sign was gone.

Steve
WB0DBS

On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or
Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit
multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper
ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably
less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but
recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of
that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible
on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but
I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
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Steve, I've never calibrated a 7081 but I did use a Solartron Calibrated 7081 as a 'transfer standard' to calibrate a 3458A before I sent the 3458A to Agilent (at the time) for calibration. The 3458A passed every measure 'in spec' when received by Agilent except for one of the ranges on AC voltage, at 100KHz, IIRC. I think I made a post about it several years ago. I wonder how hard it would be to calibrate a 7081 using a 3458A (or similar) as the 'transfer standard'. However, it will still be slow. Joe -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Steve - Home Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 7:44 PM To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in February this year their sign was gone. Steve WB0DBS > On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > > David, > > Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? > > If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago. > > It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England. I sent two over there for calibration. > > Good luck. > > Joe > > -----Original Message----- > From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? > > I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or > Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit > multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper > ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably > less. > > There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but > recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of > that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible > on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. > > I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but > I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. > > Dave > -- > Dr. David Kirkby, > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
BS
Brian Smith
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 1:36 AM

I have used the KE2002 and the DMM7510. I prefer the DMM7510. I have used
the DMM7510 to gather data for my qty 2 Fluke 731B volotage standards. The
DMM7510 can show p-p variations of 0.25 ppm over days of continuous
measurement. If I was spending my money, I would buy a DMM7510.

Brian Smith

On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 7:45 PM Steve - Home steve-krull@cox.net wrote:

Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and
manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by
there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure
they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in
February this year their sign was gone.

Steve
WB0DBS

On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several

years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and,

at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in
England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of

Dr. David Kirkby

Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit

multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or
Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit
multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper
ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably
less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but
recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller

of

that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite

flexible

on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated,

but

I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to

and follow the instructions there.


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to

and follow the instructions there.


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To unsubscribe, go to
http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com
and follow the instructions there.

I have used the KE2002 and the DMM7510. I prefer the DMM7510. I have used the DMM7510 to gather data for my qty 2 Fluke 731B volotage standards. The DMM7510 can show p-p variations of 0.25 ppm over days of continuous measurement. If I was spending my money, I would buy a DMM7510. Brian Smith On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 7:45 PM Steve - Home <steve-krull@cox.net> wrote: > Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and > manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by > there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure > they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in > February this year their sign was gone. > > Steve > WB0DBS > > > > > On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > > > > David, > > > > Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? > > > > If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several > years ago. > > > > It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, > at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in > England. I sent two over there for calibration. > > > > Good luck. > > > > Joe > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of > Dr. David Kirkby > > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM > > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > > Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit > multimeters? > > > > I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or > > Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit > > multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper > > ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably > > less. > > > > There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but > > recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller > of > > that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite > flexible > > on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. > > > > I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, > but > > I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. > > > > Dave > > -- > > Dr. David Kirkby, > > _______________________________________________ > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. >
MV
Mitch Van Ochten
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 1:54 AM

The Keithley DMM7510 autoranges to the next higher range at 0.12V, 1.2V, 12V, 120V etc. Sometimes I need to measure 19.000V with precision and the meter would put me on it's 100V range.

The Keithley 2002 doesn't jump to the next range until 0.21V, 2.10V, 21.0V, 210V etc. Very few meters behave like this, most jump to the next higher range sooner than I like.

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com On Behalf Of Brian Smith
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 9:36 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

I have used the KE2002 and the DMM7510. I prefer the DMM7510. I have used the DMM7510 to gather data for my qty 2 Fluke 731B volotage standards. The
DMM7510 can show p-p variations of 0.25 ppm over days of continuous measurement. If I was spending my money, I would buy a DMM7510.

Brian Smith

On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 7:45 PM Steve - Home steve-krull@cox.net wrote:

Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and
manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was
by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m
not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the
business park in February this year their sign was gone.

Steve
WB0DBS

On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several

years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly
and,

at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in
England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf
Of

Dr. David Kirkby

Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5
digit

multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke
or Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5
digit multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of
the cheaper ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP)
and preferably less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer,
but recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed
the seller

of

that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite

flexible

on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get
calibrated,

but

I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe,
go to

and follow the instructions there.


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go to

and follow the instructions there.


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The Keithley DMM7510 autoranges to the next higher range at 0.12V, 1.2V, 12V, 120V etc. Sometimes I need to measure 19.000V with precision and the meter would put me on it's 100V range. The Keithley 2002 doesn't jump to the next range until 0.21V, 2.10V, 21.0V, 210V etc. Very few meters behave like this, most jump to the next higher range sooner than I like. -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts <volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com> On Behalf Of Brian Smith Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 9:36 PM To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement <volt-nuts@lists.febo.com> Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? I have used the KE2002 and the DMM7510. I prefer the DMM7510. I have used the DMM7510 to gather data for my qty 2 Fluke 731B volotage standards. The DMM7510 can show p-p variations of 0.25 ppm over days of continuous measurement. If I was spending my money, I would buy a DMM7510. Brian Smith On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 7:45 PM Steve - Home <steve-krull@cox.net> wrote: > Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and > manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was > by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m > not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the > business park in February this year their sign was gone. > > Steve > WB0DBS > > > > > On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > > > > David, > > > > Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? > > > > If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several > years ago. > > > > It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly > > and, > at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in > England. I sent two over there for calibration. > > > > Good luck. > > > > Joe > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf > > Of > Dr. David Kirkby > > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM > > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > > Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 > > digit > multimeters? > > > > I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke > > or Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 > > digit multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of > > the cheaper ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) > > and preferably less. > > > > There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, > > but recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed > > the seller > of > > that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite > flexible > > on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. > > > > I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get > > calibrated, > but > > I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. > > > > Dave > > -- > > Dr. David Kirkby, > > _______________________________________________ > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, > > go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, > > go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go > to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
BS
Brian Smith
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 2:13 AM

True enough. The 2002 has nominal  full-scale values of 2, 20, 200, etc
whereas the DMM7510 has nominal full-scale values of 1,10,100, etc.

I find the DMM7510 quieter than the 2002 and the built-in statistics of the
DMM7510 save the trouble of having to run software on a PC.

I can see the reasons for preference of the 2002.

On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 8:55 PM Mitch Van Ochten <
Mitch@vincentelectronics.com> wrote:

The Keithley DMM7510 autoranges to the next higher range at 0.12V, 1.2V,
12V, 120V etc. Sometimes I need to measure 19.000V with precision and the
meter would put me on it's 100V range.

The Keithley 2002 doesn't jump to the next range until 0.21V, 2.10V,
21.0V, 210V etc. Very few meters behave like this, most jump to the next
higher range sooner than I like.

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com On Behalf Of Brian
Smith
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 9:36 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit
multimeters?

I have used the KE2002 and the DMM7510. I prefer the DMM7510. I have used
the DMM7510 to gather data for my qty 2 Fluke 731B volotage standards. The
DMM7510 can show p-p variations of 0.25 ppm over days of continuous
measurement. If I was spending my money, I would buy a DMM7510.

Brian Smith

On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 7:45 PM Steve - Home steve-krull@cox.net wrote:

Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and
manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was
by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m
not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the
business park in February this year their sign was gone.

Steve
WB0DBS

On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several

years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly
and,

at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in
England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf
Of

Dr. David Kirkby

Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5
digit

multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke
or Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5
digit multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of
the cheaper ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP)
and preferably less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer,
but recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed
the seller

of

that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite

flexible

on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get
calibrated,

but

I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe,
go to

and follow the instructions there.


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True enough. The 2002 has nominal full-scale values of 2, 20, 200, etc whereas the DMM7510 has nominal full-scale values of 1,10,100, etc. I find the DMM7510 quieter than the 2002 and the built-in statistics of the DMM7510 save the trouble of having to run software on a PC. I can see the reasons for preference of the 2002. On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 8:55 PM Mitch Van Ochten < Mitch@vincentelectronics.com> wrote: > The Keithley DMM7510 autoranges to the next higher range at 0.12V, 1.2V, > 12V, 120V etc. Sometimes I need to measure 19.000V with precision and the > meter would put me on it's 100V range. > > The Keithley 2002 doesn't jump to the next range until 0.21V, 2.10V, > 21.0V, 210V etc. Very few meters behave like this, most jump to the next > higher range sooner than I like. > > -----Original Message----- > From: volt-nuts <volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com> On Behalf Of Brian > Smith > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 9:36 PM > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement <volt-nuts@lists.febo.com> > Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit > multimeters? > > I have used the KE2002 and the DMM7510. I prefer the DMM7510. I have used > the DMM7510 to gather data for my qty 2 Fluke 731B volotage standards. The > DMM7510 can show p-p variations of 0.25 ppm over days of continuous > measurement. If I was spending my money, I would buy a DMM7510. > > Brian Smith > > On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 7:45 PM Steve - Home <steve-krull@cox.net> wrote: > > > Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and > > manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was > > by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m > > not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the > > business park in February this year their sign was gone. > > > > Steve > > WB0DBS > > > > > > > > > On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > > > > > > David, > > > > > > Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? > > > > > > If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several > > years ago. > > > > > > It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly > > > and, > > at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in > > England. I sent two over there for calibration. > > > > > > Good luck. > > > > > > Joe > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf > > > Of > > Dr. David Kirkby > > > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM > > > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > > > Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 > > > digit > > multimeters? > > > > > > I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke > > > or Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 > > > digit multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of > > > the cheaper ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) > > > and preferably less. > > > > > > There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, > > > but recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed > > > the seller > > of > > > that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite > > flexible > > > on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. > > > > > > I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get > > > calibrated, > > but > > > I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. > > > > > > Dave > > > -- > > > Dr. David Kirkby, > > > _______________________________________________ > > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, > > > go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, > > > go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go > > to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. >
DC
David C. Partridge
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 2:28 AM

Sad to say that Ametek no longer provide any support for the 7081. They also scrapped the Commodore PETs they had with the calibration software for the 7071 and 7081 (I so wish I could have acquired one of those).

The huge "elephant in the room" problem is finding a calibration lab with an error budget that's actually good enough to calibrate any 8.5 digit meter.  More like than not (barring faults) your meter will probably be more accurate and stable than any of their calibration equipment.    I don't know of any in the UK apart from Fluke and Keysight (I would love to hear that there are others).  Keysight UK can't do the top spec calibration  on a 3458A (so called Loveland calibration) so if you want that, AFAIK it has be return shipped to California, USA (though I've heard that Germany may have a Josephson junction setup).  Of course it's not under power for that time and you risk destruction of the custom VFDs ...

I suspect that my Datron 4808 is as good as or better than most cal labs in the UK (though there must be some with at least one calibrated Fluke 5700A/5720A/5730A or Datron 4808 or similar).

PS Transmille produce an 8ppm calibrator (4010) and a 4/9ppm meter (8100) so could probably do the job, but whether they'd do "other brand" calibration ?

David

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of J. L. Trantham
Sent: 01 July 2019 01:21
To: 'Discussion of precise voltage measurement'
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

Sad to say that Ametek no longer provide any support for the 7081. They also scrapped the Commodore PETs they had with the calibration software for the 7071 and 7081 (I so wish I could have acquired one of those). The huge "elephant in the room" problem is finding a calibration lab with an error budget that's actually good enough to calibrate *any* 8.5 digit meter. More like than not (barring faults) your meter will probably be more accurate and stable than any of their calibration equipment. I don't know of any in the UK apart from Fluke and Keysight (I would love to hear that there are others). Keysight UK can't do the top spec calibration on a 3458A (so called Loveland calibration) so if you want that, AFAIK it has be return shipped to California, USA (though I've heard that Germany *may* have a Josephson junction setup). Of course it's not under power for that time and you risk destruction of the custom VFDs ... I suspect that my Datron 4808 is as good as or better than most cal labs in the UK (though there must be some with at least one calibrated Fluke 5700A/5720A/5730A or Datron 4808 or similar). PS Transmille produce an 8ppm calibrator (4010) and a 4/9ppm meter (8100) so could probably do the job, but whether they'd do "other brand" calibration ? David -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of J. L. Trantham Sent: 01 July 2019 01:21 To: 'Discussion of precise voltage measurement' Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? David, Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago. It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England. I sent two over there for calibration. Good luck. Joe
S-
Steve - Home
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 2:32 AM

Joe,

I haven’t tried to calibrate my 7081, either. I should send my 3458A to Keysight and then compare the before and after readings of the 7081.
The slow sampling rate of the 7081 at 8.5 digits is a bit of pain but it’s sure a nice meter otherwise. I have just one set of leads for it, to banana plugs. Haven’t got around to getting a connector to build up Kelvin clip leads for 4-wire resistance measurements as I use the 3458A for that on the rare occasion I need that capability.
I’ve got a Datron/Wavetek 4910 that needs the batteries replaced and I haven’t got around to that yet, either. I’m going to be “thinning out the herd” this year as we prepare to downsize, and I’ve got entirely too much stuff anyway!

Steve

On Jun 30, 2019, at 9:31 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

Steve,

I've never calibrated a 7081 but I did use a Solartron Calibrated 7081 as a 'transfer standard' to calibrate a 3458A before I sent the 3458A to Agilent (at the time) for calibration.  The 3458A passed every measure 'in spec' when received by Agilent except for one of the ranges on AC voltage, at 100KHz, IIRC.  I think I made a post about it several years ago.

I wonder how hard it would be to calibrate a 7081 using a 3458A (or similar) as the 'transfer standard'.

However, it will still be slow.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Steve - Home
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 7:44 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in February this year their sign was gone.

Steve
WB0DBS

On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham jltran@att.net wrote:

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or
Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit
multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper
ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably
less.

There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but
recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of
that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible
on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay.

I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but
I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar.

Dave

Dr. David Kirkby,


volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com
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Joe, I haven’t tried to calibrate my 7081, either. I should send my 3458A to Keysight and then compare the before and after readings of the 7081. The slow sampling rate of the 7081 at 8.5 digits is a bit of pain but it’s sure a nice meter otherwise. I have just one set of leads for it, to banana plugs. Haven’t got around to getting a connector to build up Kelvin clip leads for 4-wire resistance measurements as I use the 3458A for that on the rare occasion I need that capability. I’ve got a Datron/Wavetek 4910 that needs the batteries replaced and I haven’t got around to that yet, either. I’m going to be “thinning out the herd” this year as we prepare to downsize, and I’ve got entirely too much stuff anyway! Steve > On Jun 30, 2019, at 9:31 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > > Steve, > > I've never calibrated a 7081 but I did use a Solartron Calibrated 7081 as a 'transfer standard' to calibrate a 3458A before I sent the 3458A to Agilent (at the time) for calibration. The 3458A passed every measure 'in spec' when received by Agilent except for one of the ranges on AC voltage, at 100KHz, IIRC. I think I made a post about it several years ago. > > I wonder how hard it would be to calibrate a 7081 using a 3458A (or similar) as the 'transfer standard'. > > However, it will still be slow. > > Joe > > -----Original Message----- > From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Steve - Home > Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 7:44 PM > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? > > Unfortunately Ametek at Farnborough (where the 7081 was designed and manufactured by Solartron) are no longer calibrating the 7081. I was by there about the time your meters were being calibrated, Joe. I’m not sure they’re even in business now as the last time I was by the business park in February this year their sign was gone. > > Steve > WB0DBS > > > >> On Jun 30, 2019, at 8:20 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: >> >> David, >> >> Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? >> >> If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago. >> >> It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England. I sent two over there for calibration. >> >> Good luck. >> >> Joe >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: volt-nuts [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby >> Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2019 6:18 PM >> To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement >> Subject: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? >> >> I would like to get an 8.5 digit multimeter, but an Agilent, Fluke or >> Keithley is outside my budget. There are quite a few other 8.5 digit >> multimeters around, but I was wondering what is the best of the cheaper >> ones. I really don’t want to spend more than £1000 (GBP) and preferably >> less. >> >> There’s a Datron/Wavetek 1271 on eBay at a price of £2450 or offer, but >> recent ones sold in the UK have gone for £800. I have emailed the seller of >> that, as I have bought from him before. He can sometimes be quite flexible >> on prices, especially if one deals outside eBay. >> >> I want to avoid buying something that is impossible to get calibrated, but >> I can’t afford to buy a 3458A or similar. >> >> Dave >> -- >> Dr. David Kirkby, >> _______________________________________________ >> volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there.
IT
Illya Tsemenko
Mon, Jul 1, 2019 2:56 AM

Calibrating 8.5d meter is a challenge, but it's not as bad to need JVS. Even with that, Your nearest NMI will be happy to provide you top notch calibration, that is magnitude better than even 24 hour specification of the meter, be it 3458A or whatnot. Main power of the 3458A that makes it so special is ultra-linear ADC (which is very fragile), which makes feature like ACAL self-calibration possible with just known 10V and 10k. So if one to buy 8.5d meter for business purposes, getting cheaper meter + paying for full calibration with data might be well the same as getting used 3458A, IF lab has known 10V/10kOmega standards or want to invest in those.

I've recently got calibration by NMI directly vs JVS/QHR on my references (U=0.02ppm 10V and 0.16ppm 10kOhm), hand-carry those home, calibrated my 3458A's and 5720A and same day performance verification yield results well under 24 hour specifications of HP3458A/002. Even INL data for 3 out of 4 is well inside "typical" 0.05ppm from HP: https://xdevs.com/doc/HP_Agilent_Keysight/3458A/test/INL_10V_3458abcd.png
Sure, one has to have high-performance MFC, but giving the amount of DMMs I have, trying to ship (international air shipping is no fun) even fraction on them to standards lab calibration would cost more than getting own calibrator and getting that in shape.

Currently doing some more tests, but I will be listing one fully-calibrated 3458A, need to cut the TEA pile. AFAIK Keysight Loveland Standards Lab calibration is >$2.2K shipping/handling excluded. With 8.5d anything, it's pretty much pay to play game, either way with "cheap" meter and expensive calibrations, or expensive meter and...expensive calibrations :) No exceptions.

Datron 1271/1281 have also 100% overrange, so it can measure up to 200mV/2V/20V/200V/1kV, which might not be obvious on first glance thru spec sheet ;).

P.S. As happy K2002 owner, DMM7510 not even in the same league, sorry. Hurdles with logging/fancy histograms do not sound serious in 2019, given plenty of free open-source options available to interface and log meter data. All one need is GPIB interface and RaspberryPi or alike, and few evenings to figure out the basics.

---- On Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:28:37 +0800 David C. Partridge mailto:david.partridge@perdrix.co.uk wrote ----

Sad to say that Ametek no longer provide any support for the 7081. They also scrapped the Commodore PETs they had with the calibration software for the 7071 and 7081 (I so wish I could have acquired one of those).

The huge "elephant in the room" problem is finding a calibration lab with an error budget that's actually good enough to calibrate any 8.5 digit meter.  More like than not (barring faults) your meter will probably be more accurate and stable than any of their calibration equipment.    I don't know of any in the UK apart from Fluke and Keysight (I would love to hear that there are others).  Keysight UK can't do the top spec calibration  on a 3458A (so called Loveland calibration) so if you want that, AFAIK it has be return shipped to California, USA (though I've heard that Germany may have a Josephson junction setup).  Of course it's not under power for that time and you risk destruction of the custom VFDs ...

I suspect that my Datron 4808 is as good as or better than most cal labs in the UK (though there must be some with at least one calibrated Fluke 5700A/5720A/5730A or Datron 4808 or similar).

PS Transmille produce an 8ppm calibrator (4010) and a 4/9ppm meter (8100) so could probably do the job, but whether they'd do "other brand" calibration ?

David

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts [mailto:mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of J. L. Trantham
Sent: 01 July 2019 01:21
To: 'Discussion of precise voltage measurement'
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters?

David,

Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081?

If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago.

It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England.  I sent two over there for calibration.

Good luck.

Joe


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Calibrating 8.5d meter is a challenge, but it's not as bad to need JVS. Even with that, Your nearest NMI will be happy to provide you top notch calibration, that is magnitude better than even 24 hour specification of the meter, be it 3458A or whatnot. Main power of the 3458A that makes it so special is ultra-linear ADC (which is very fragile), which makes feature like ACAL self-calibration possible with just known 10V and 10k. So if one to buy 8.5d meter for business purposes, getting cheaper meter + paying for full calibration with data might be well the same as getting used 3458A, *IF* lab has known 10V/10kOmega standards or want to invest in those. I've recently got calibration by NMI directly vs JVS/QHR on my references (U=0.02ppm 10V and 0.16ppm 10kOhm), hand-carry those home, calibrated my 3458A's and 5720A and same day performance verification yield results well under 24 hour specifications of HP3458A/002. Even INL data for 3 out of 4 is well inside "typical" 0.05ppm from HP: https://xdevs.com/doc/HP_Agilent_Keysight/3458A/test/INL_10V_3458abcd.png Sure, one has to have high-performance MFC, but giving the amount of DMMs I have, trying to ship (international air shipping is no fun) even fraction on them to standards lab calibration would cost more than getting own calibrator and getting that in shape. Currently doing some more tests, but I will be listing one fully-calibrated 3458A, need to cut the TEA pile. AFAIK Keysight Loveland Standards Lab calibration is >$2.2K shipping/handling excluded. With 8.5d anything, it's pretty much pay to play game, either way with "cheap" meter and expensive calibrations, or expensive meter and...expensive calibrations :) No exceptions. Datron 1271/1281 have also 100% overrange, so it can measure up to 200mV/2V/20V/200V/1kV, which might not be obvious on first glance thru spec sheet ;). P.S. As happy K2002 owner, DMM7510 not even in the same league, sorry. Hurdles with logging/fancy histograms do not sound serious in 2019, given plenty of free open-source options available to interface and log meter data. All one need is GPIB interface and RaspberryPi or alike, and few evenings to figure out the basics. ---- On Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:28:37 +0800 David C. Partridge <mailto:david.partridge@perdrix.co.uk> wrote ---- Sad to say that Ametek no longer provide any support for the 7081. They also scrapped the Commodore PETs they had with the calibration software for the 7071 and 7081 (I so wish I could have acquired one of those). The huge "elephant in the room" problem is finding a calibration lab with an error budget that's actually good enough to calibrate *any* 8.5 digit meter. More like than not (barring faults) your meter will probably be more accurate and stable than any of their calibration equipment. I don't know of any in the UK apart from Fluke and Keysight (I would love to hear that there are others). Keysight UK can't do the top spec calibration on a 3458A (so called Loveland calibration) so if you want that, AFAIK it has be return shipped to California, USA (though I've heard that Germany *may* have a Josephson junction setup). Of course it's not under power for that time and you risk destruction of the custom VFDs ... I suspect that my Datron 4808 is as good as or better than most cal labs in the UK (though there must be some with at least one calibrated Fluke 5700A/5720A/5730A or Datron 4808 or similar). PS Transmille produce an 8ppm calibrator (4010) and a 4/9ppm meter (8100) so could probably do the job, but whether they'd do "other brand" calibration ? David -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts [mailto:mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@lists.febo.com] On Behalf Of J. L. Trantham Sent: 01 July 2019 01:21 To: 'Discussion of precise voltage measurement' Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] What are the best of the low(ish) cost 8.5 digit multimeters? David, Have you considered the Solartron/Ametek 7081? If I'm not mistaken, you posted some images of their EPROM's several years ago. It's slow sampling at 8.5 digit resolution but seems user friendly and, at least several years ago, was able to be calibrated by Ametek in England. I sent two over there for calibration. Good luck. Joe _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- mailto:volt-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.