[volt-nuts] HP 3457A

[Dr. David Kirkby]

On 12 August 2013 17:43, Mike S <mikes at flatsurface.com> wrote:
> On 8/12/2013 12:21 PM, Charles Steinmetz wrote:
>>
>> No, you could not perform ANY traceable calibration with the 3458A
>> itself, much less with any instrument you had calibrated with the 3458A,
>> because *you* are not accredited
>
>
> That's simply not true. Some organizations may require a lab to be
> accredited in order to accept their services, but it is not a requirement in
> order to legitimately claim traceability.

This is the conclusion I had reached. So it would appear to me quite
easy to legitimately claim traceability to NIST.

Others seem to disagree with this, and talk about accreditation and
being able to meet original manufacturers specifications. I don't
actually see this being a requirement myself, but I'm no expert.

Of course, I would never attempt to calibrate a 8.5 digit laboratory
multi-meter using a 4.5 digit handheld one, but there does not appear
to be anything to stop me doing that, and furthermore claiming
tractability to NIST.

It is a bit like the "engineer" in England - anyone can call
themselves an engineer, irrespective of how incompetent they are. I
believe that is not so in some other countries.

Dave