Digital Multimeter Calibration

Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide instruction for the calibration of digital
multimeters (DMM).
Scope
All multimeters (multi-range instruments used to measure voltage, current, and resistance)
are to be verified in calibration no less than once per year.
Procedure
Preliminary Instructions and Notes
1. Read this entire procedure before beginning the calibration.
2. Calibration shall be performed in an environment that conforms to Manufacturer
Specifications.
3. The digital multimeter will hereafter be referred to as the Instrument Under Test (IUT).
4. Verify that the IUT is clean.
5. Visually examine the IUT for any condition that could cause errors in the calibration.
6. If any of the requirements cannot be met, refer to the applicable manufacturer manual.
7. If a malfunction occurs or a defect is observed while calibration is in progress, the calibration
shall be discontinued and necessary corrective action taken; if corrective action affects a
measurement function previously calibrated, the function shall be recalibrated before the
remainder of the procedure implemented.
Reference Material
Applicable Manufacturers Manual or Brochures.
Specifications
The specifications of the IUT are determined by the applicable manufacturer's
documentation. If the manufacturer's documentation is not available, then the specifications
identified in this procedure are used.
Equipment Required
The Standards listed below should be selected on the basis of their higher accuracy level
when compared to the unit under test. Equivalent Standards must be equal to or better than
the Minimum-Use-Specification.
Minimum-Use-Specifications for Standards listed are 1/4 the accuracy required by the IUT.
Rotek Model 2500 Calibrator or equivalent
Diode Test Fixture
Test Leads
 Continuity Test Fixture
Capacitance Test Fixture
Thermometer
Hydrometer
Set-Up
Turn all power on (calibrator and the unit to be calibrated). Allow the instruments to stabilize
for approximately 5 minutes. Conduct the tests in an ambient temperature of 25 5C and a
relative humidity of less than 80%.
Note: If the IUT has an automatic ranging feature, then the function being checked (i.e.
voltage, current, or resistance) must be verified in the variable range mode as well.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery in the IUT and make sure the battery contacts are not dirty.
Detailed Procedure
DISPLAY AND SWITCH TEST

Turn the IUT on and verify that all LCD segments are working and not dim. Verify that the
selector switch(s) is/are working properly. Make sure the Low Battery indicator is not
showing.
RESISTANCE CHECK

Connect the calibrator between the V/ohm and common input terminals of the IUT. Use the
following chart to verify the resistance values.

Step Range Input Display

1 200 ohm Short 00.0 to 00.5

2 2 k ohm Short 0.000 to 0.001

3 2 k ohm 1 k ohm .998 to 1.002

4 20 k ohm 10 k ohm 9,98 to 10.02

5 200 k ohm 100 k ohm 99.8 to 100.2

6 2000 k ohm 1 M ohm 998 to 1002

7 2000 M ohm Open 0.10 to 00.0

CONTINUITY TEST

1. Select the continuity check function on the calibrator.

2. Connect the test leads to the V/ohm and common terminals of the IUT.
3. Momentarily short the test leads together and observe that the tone sounds.
4. Connect the test leads to the continuity test fixture between the 100 ohm test points. No tone
should be heard indicating non-terminating connection.
5. Connect the test leads to the continuity test fixture between the 50 ohm set up. The test tone
should indicate continuity between the test points.
DC VOLTAGE TEST

1. Use the calibrator to supply the correct DC voltage listed below.

2. Set the calibrator for a zero volt input.
3. Connect the calibrator output to the V/ohm and common input terminals of the IUT.
Note: Connect the ground/common/low side of the Rotek 2500 to the common on the IUT.
4. With reference to the table below, select the IUT voltage range and set the calibrator output
to the corresponding IUT input voltage. Test per the following chart and verify that the
display falls within the limits given.

Step Range Input Display

1 200mV 190mV 189.7 to 190.3

2 200mV -190mV -189.7 to -190.3

3 2V 0.0V -0.001 to 0.001

4 2V 1.9V 1.897 to 1.903

5 20V 19V 18.97 to 19.03

6 200V 100V 99.84 to 100.16

7 1000V 400V 399.3 to 400.6

AC VOLTAGE TEST

Use the calibrator to supply the correct AC voltage in the following test:
1. Set the calibrator to 60 Hz.
2. Connect the calibrator output to the V/ohm and common input terminals of the IUT. Connect
the ground/common/low side of the calibrator to common on the IUT.
3. With reference to the table below, select the IUT voltage range given in step 1 and set the
calibrator output to the corresponding IUT input voltage. Verify that the display reading is
within the limits shown.

Step Range Input Display

1 200mV 100mV 99.0 to 101.0

2 2V 1V 0.990 to 1.010

3 20V 10V 9.90

4 200V 100V 99.0 to 100.1

5 750V 400V 294 to 406

DC CURRENT TEST

Use the calibrator to supply the correct DC current listed in the table below:
1. Set the output of the calibrator to zero mA.
2. Connect the output of the calibrator to the lowest current terminal (typically 200 mA) and
common input terminal on the IUT.
Note: Do not exceed the maximum current rating of the meter. Only test for values the meter
is capable of reading.
3. With reference to the table below, select the IUT current range and set the calibration output
to provide the corresponding IUT input current. Verify that the display reading is within the
limits shown.

Step Range Input Display

1 200?A 190?A 189.7 to 192.3

2 2mA 1.9mA 1.897 to 1.923

3 20mA 19mA 18.97 to 19.23

4 200mA 190mA 189.7 to 192.3

4. Disconnect the calibrator and change the current terminal on the IUT to the highest setting
(typically 10 A) leaving the common input terminal connected.
5. Use the following table to verify that the meter is functioning within the specified parameters.
 Step Range Input Display

1 10A 1A 0.98 to 1.02

2 10A 5A 4.90 to 5.10

3 10A 9A 8.82 to 9.18

AC CURRENT TEST

Use the calibrator to supply the correct AC current listed in the table below:
1. Use the following table to verify that the meter is functioning within the specified parameters.
2. Set the output of the calibrator to zero mA.
3. Connect the output of the calibrator to the low current input terminal (typically 200 mA) and
the common terminal of the unit under test.
Note: Do not exceed the maximum current rating of the meter. Only test for values the meter
is capable of reading.
4. With reference to the table below, select the IUT current range and set the calibrator output
to provide the corresponding IUT input current. Verify that the display reading is within the
limits shown.

Step Range Input Display

1 200?A 190?A 18.27 to 19.28

2 2mA 1.9mA 1.872 to 1.928

3 20mA 19mA 18.72 to 19.28

4 200mA 190mA 187.2 to 192.8

5. Disconnect the calibrator and change the current terminal on the IUT to the highest setting
(typically 10 A) leaving the common input terminal connected.
6. Use the following table to verify that the meter is functioning within the specified parameters.

Step Range Input Display

1 10A 1A 0.97 to 1.03

2 10A 5A 4.87 to 5.13

 3 10A 9A 8.77 to 9.23
LOGIC TEST

Use this procedure to test weather the logic function is indicating the correct state.
1. Set the IUT to the logic test mode and insert the test leads into the V/ohm and common
terminals.
2. Short the leads together and verify that the meter indicates a low logic state.
3. Set the calibrator to 0.400 VDC and connect the meter to the output terminals. Verify that the
meter indicates a low logic state.
4. Set the calibrator to 3.500 VDC and verify that the IUT indicates a high logic state.
FREQUENCY TEST

1. Connect an oscilloscope to a function generator to measure AC sine waves.

2. Set the function generator to output 10 VAC and use the oscilloscope to set the frequencies
from the following table.
3. Connect the IUT leads to the V/ohm and common terminals on the IUT and to the ground
and output of the function generator.
4. Verify the meter is displaying proper results from the table.

Step Range Input Display

1 Hz 60 Hz @ 10V 59.4 to 60.6

2 Hz 1 kHz @ 10V .990 to 1.010k

3 Hz 1 MHz @ 10V .990 to 1.010M

CAPACITANCE TEST

1. Set the IUT to measure capacitance, insert the test leads into the V/ohm and common test
terminals.
2. Connect the meter to the capacitance test fixture and use the following table to determine
the ability of the IUT.

Step Range Input Display

1 Capacitance 10 micro F 9.85 to 10.15

2 Capacitance 1 micro F .985 to 1.015

3 Capacitance 100 micro F 98.5 to 101.5

 DIODE TEST

1. Set the IUT to the diode check function and connect the test leads to the V/ohm and
common terminals.
2. Connect the test leads to the diode test fixture and follow the steps in the proceeding table to
verify diode test operation.

Step Range Setup Polarity Display Tone

1 Diode Check Short N/A .000 to .001 Yes

2 Diode Check Si Forward .800 to .600 Yes

3 Diode Check Si Reverse 1. No

4 Diode Check Ge Forward .300 to .500 Yes

5 Diode Check Ge Reverse 1. No

3. Note: Some meters are not designed to emit a tone.

 MEASURE ELECTRONIC
WAVES: HOW TO
CALIBRATE AN
OSCILLOSCOPE

RELATED BOOK
Electronics All-in-One For Dummies

By Doug Lowe

An oscilloscope is an incredibly useful tool to have on your

electronics workbench. Unfortunately, oscilloscopes are also
expensive, costing at least a few hundred dollars. So most
electronic hobbyists get by without one. But if you have one, you
must first verify the settings of some key controls on your
oscilloscope before you take a measurement.

The exact steps you need to follow to set up your oscilloscope vary
depending on the exact type and model of your scope, so be sure
to read the instruction manual that came with your scope. But the
general steps should be as follows:
1. Examine all the controls on your scope and set them to normal
positions.
 For most scopes, all rotating dials should be centered, all
pushbuttons should be out, and all slide switches and paddle
switches should be up.
2. Turn your oscilloscope on.
It its the old-fashioned CRT kind, give it a minute or two to warm
up.
3. Set the VOLTS/DIV control to 1.
This sets the scope to display one volt per vertical division.
Depending on the signal youre displaying, you may need to
increase or decrease this setting, but one volt is a good starting
point.
4. Set the TIME/DIV control to 1 ms.
This control determines the time interval represented by each
horizontal division on the display. Try turning this dial to its slowest
setting. Then, turn the dial one notch at a time and watch the dot
speed up until it becomes a solid line.
5. Set the Trigger switch to Auto.
The Auto position enables the oscilloscope to stabilize the trace on
a common trigger point in the waveform. If the trigger mode isnt set
to Auto, the waveform may drift across the screen, making it difficult
to watch.
6. Connect a probe to the input connector.
If your scope has more than one input connector, connect the probe
to the one labeled A.
Oscilloscope probes include a probe point, which you connect to
the input signal and a separate ground lead. The ground lead
usually has an alligator clip. When testing a circuit, this clip can be
connected to any common ground point within the circuit. In some
probes, the ground lead is detachable, so you can remove it when it
isnt needed.
7. Touch the end of the probe to the scopes calibration terminal.
This terminal provides a sample square wave that you can use to
calibrate the scopes display. Some scopes have two calibration
 terminals, labeled 0.2 V and 2 V. If your scope has two terminals,
touch the probe to the 2 V terminal.
For calibrating, its best to use an alligator clip test probe. If your
test probe has a pointy tip instead of an alligator clip, you can
usually push the tip through the little hole in the end of the
calibration terminal to hold the probe in place.
It isnt necessary to connect the ground lead of your test probe for
calibration.
8. If necessary, adjust the TIME/DIV and VOLTS/DIV controls until the
square wave fits nicely within the display.

9. If necessary, adjust the Y-POS control to center the trace vertically.

10. If necessary, adjust the X-POS control to center the trace
horizontally.
11. If necessary, adjust the Intensity and Focus settings to get a
clear trace.
12. Congratulate yourself!
Youre now ready to begin viewing the waveforms of actual
electronic signals.
Remember that the controls of every oscilloscope make and model
are unique. Be sure to read the owners manual that came with your
oscilloscope to see if there are any other setup or calibration
procedures you need to follow before feeding real signals into your
scope.