Brendan Burr

BTEC National Certificate in Electronics

Calibration & Configuration of Test Equipment

Task 1
1.1) Describe the principles for the calibration for a frequency counter. Frequency counters are used for counting input/output frequencies. The counter counts the time required for an entire number of cycles, instead of counting how many cycles occur. To calibrate a frequency counter, there needs to be a counter that can be used as a reference. This needs to be accurate as the counter which is due to be calibrated will be calibrated to meet the same figures as displayed from the master frequency counter. Once set up correctly the frequency counter can be trimmed to show the same figures as the master counter. The counter can then be signed off by the appropriate parties and be confidently used in the workforce, until the date of expiry or any incident that may require the counter to be recalibrated. 1.2) Describe the need of requirement for the calibration of the frequency counter. It is a requirement for frequency counters to be calibrated to ensure that the value which is being displayed is the actual value of the frequency. If a counter was displaying an inaccurate reading, an electrical engineer could make a calculation using the information, with the resultant answer being incorrect. The electrical engineer can confidently use the measuring device, as long as the devices calibration certificate is still within date. If the device does not have a calibration certificate it is extremely important for one to be obtained before using the device.

Brendan Burr

BTEC National Certificate in Electronics

Calibration & Configuration of Test Equipment

Task 2
2) Explain the health, safety and configuration issues that need to be considered when connecting test equipment to an item of electronic equipment that requires testing. It is important to ensure that all of the correct working procedures are used when connecting test equipment. This ensures that the calibration of the test equipment is not compromised by over exceeding the specifications of the equipment. If the specifications were exceeded the device would have to be recalibrated to ensure that the values which are being displayed are correct and accurate. For this reason it is necessary for the specified limits to be checked and worked to. Failure to do this could also result in injury, as exceeding the recommended input voltage/current could open a new hazard which is unexpected.

Brendan Burr

BTEC National Certificate in Electronics

Calibration & Configuration of Test Equipment

Task 3
Calibrated Standard: TG320 Function Generator Output Waveform 1KHz Sinewave @ 5 V pk-pk Frequency Display Reading: 999.9083 Hz Equipment to be Calibrated: TF200 Frequency Counter Frequency Display reading before calibration: 0.99719 KHz Frequency Display reading after calibration: 0.99719 KHz

Calibrated Trim Calibrated By: Brendan Burr Signed: Checked By: Alan Dyson Signed:

Serial Number: 078298 Date: 2nd June 2008 Date: 2nd June 2008

Brendan Burr

BTEC National Certificate in Electronics

Calibration & Configuration of Test Equipment

Task 4
4.1 On the TG320 Function Generator:The calibration and test procedure is as follows: a) Set the external counter to off.

b) Set the frequency to approximately 1 KHz Sine wave. c) Set the amplitude of the output to 5 Volts Peak-Peak.

d) Set the external counter to on.

e) Set the gate time of the counter to 5 seconds (i.e 6 decimal places on the display.)

f) Connect a BNC T piece to the MAIN (50) OUTPUT.

Brendan Burr

BTEC National Certificate in Electronics

Calibration & Configuration of Test Equipment

g) Using a BNC lead, connect one side of the T piece to the COUNT IN input of the TG320 External Counter.

h) Record the frequency display reading of the TG320 in the appropriate table. On the TG810 200MHz Frequency Meter:i) Turn the power of the TF810 Frequency Meter to off.

j) Connect BNC lead to the 5Hz-200MHz.

k) Turn the power of the TF810 Frequency Meter to on. l) Set the gate time of the counter to 10-20 seconds. m) Set the range to 10MHz.

n) Adjust the multi-turn trimmer until the correct reading on the TF810 meter is obtained. o) Attach a new calibration label to the TF810 Frequency Meter.

Brendan Burr

BTEC National Certificate in Electronics

Calibration & Configuration of Test Equipment

Calibrated Standard: TG320 Function Generator Output Waveform 1KHz Sinewave @ 5 V pk-pk Frequency Display Reading: Hz Equipment to be Calibrated: TF810 200MHz Frequency Meter Frequency Display reading before calibration: Hz Frequency Display reading after calibration: Hz

4.2 Calibrated Trim Calibrated By: Brendan Burr Signed: Checked By: Alan Dyson Signed: Serial Number: 026224 Date: 16th June 2008 Date: 16th June 2008