>
> > I accept commissioning tests require calibrated documented procedures b=
ut
> > for day to day repair (which is often getting rough battery levels or
> > seeing if there is power or no power) it is over the top.
>

A point to note, and calibration will not properly address it, is that some
meters become extremely inaccurate when battery voltage drops below a
certain level. (I've seen meters read 20% high on voltage ranges due to low
battery condition). Totally insane readings are liable to be noted. Just
significantly wrong may not be.

Many meters have "low battery" indicators, and some don't. Odds are that a
meter without a low battery indicator is too low-budget for safe use in a
general lab.
BUT people may not notice the low battery indication - and some will notice
it and not care. If serious about such think then nominating someone to
check battery indications say weekly may be wise.

But, if a meter does not auto-power-off then a battery may be flattened in
hours to days deep-ending on prior state of charge. For alkaline cells an
internal battery voltage check would be useful, but I've never seen a meter
with one. (This is different from using a meter to measure its own battery
voltage - best case this is risky and worst case potentially (pun noted)
damaging).

Best would be a meter which reported low battery AND refused to make
measurements in that state.

Better than best would be .... Hmm ... Kickstarter ... ? :-)



         Russell

Bonus: Measure DC voltage. Swap leads. Remeasure. If the readings vary even
slightly the meter itself may be of suspect design. This could be as little
as calibrated out offset voltage. But could be more. I have a large
quantity of mostly low cost meters. Some are rock steady in reading when
probes are reversed, some aren't. Does tend to vary with brand.
--=20
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