Accredited Voltage Meter Calibration Services
In electrical engineering and facility maintenance, a millivolt error can lead to incorrect diagnostics or safety hazards. At DRS Technologies, we provide expert voltage meter calibration services to ensure your measuring tools—from simple handheld voltmeters to high-precision benchtop units—provide absolute accuracy. Our laboratory utilizes high-stability multifunction calibrators to verify your instrument’s performance across its entire operational spectrum.
Why Voltage Accuracy is the Foundation of Electrical Safety
Voltage meters are susceptible to drift caused by component aging, battery depletion, and environmental temperature fluctuations. In high-voltage environments, an uncalibrated meter may fail to detect “live” circuits or misreport phase-to-ground potentials. Regular calibration by DRS Technologies confirms that your equipment meets ANSI and IEC standards, providing the documented proof required for OSHA compliance and quality audits.
Our Technical Voltage Calibration Process
Our metrology specialists follow a rigorous protocol to ensure your meter is linear and responsive:
- Zero-Point and Offset Verification: We ensure the meter reads exactly zero when inputs are shorted, eliminating any internal electronic noise or residual charge.
- DC Voltage Linearity: We test the meter at multiple points (e.g., 100mV, 1V, 10V, 100V, 1000V) to verify that the internal voltage dividers are functioning correctly across all ranges.
- AC Voltage and Frequency Response: Using stable AC sources, we verify the meter’s accuracy at various frequencies (50Hz to 100kHz+), ensuring it correctly handles True RMS calculations for non-linear loads.
- Input Impedance Audit: We verify that the meter’s input impedance (typically 10M$\Omega$) remains within spec to prevent “loading errors” that can drag down the voltage of the circuit being measured.
- Certification and NIST Traceability: Every service concludes with a detailed certificate featuring “As-Found” and “As-Left” data, uncertainty measurements, and a formal statement of traceability to national standards.
Specialized Support for Voltage Measurement Tools
We provide professional calibration for a wide array of voltage-sensing technology:
- Digital Voltmeters (DVM): High-resolution handheld and benchtop models.
- Analog Voltmeters: Verification of needle tracking, damping, and parallax error.
- Non-Contact Voltage Detectors: Ensuring safety thresholds for “proximity” sensing.
- Voltage Recorders and Data Loggers: Verifying time-stamped voltage stability.
- High-Voltage Dividers and Probes: Specialized calibration for measurements up to 50kV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Voltmeter and a Multimeter?
A voltmeter is dedicated solely to measuring electrical potential (Volts), whereas a multimeter (DMM) can measure voltage, current, and resistance. While the voltage function is identical, a dedicated voltmeter is often used in specialized laboratory settings for higher precision or high-voltage safety.
How often should a voltage meter be calibrated?
The standard calibration interval is twelve months. However, if a meter is dropped, exposed to an electrical surge, or used in extreme temperatures (above 40°C or below 0°C), immediate recalibration is recommended to ensure the internal reference diode has not shifted.
Why does my meter read a small voltage when the leads are not connected?
This is often “ghost voltage” caused by capacitive coupling from nearby energized wires. During calibration, DRS Technologies verifies the meter’s “High-Z” (high impedance) and “Low-Z” (low impedance) modes to ensure it can distinguish between stray phantom voltage and real circuit potential.