Innovative Test & Measurement Product of the Year
The Electrical Industry Awards are organised by Purple Media Solutions Ltd, publishers of Electrical Times.
Overall Innovative Product of the Year
Judges came from Electrical Safety Council, ECA, NICEIC, BEAMA, NAPIT.
Competing against
Megga, Fluke, Rigel Medical and Seaward
Technology Award
This award is aimed at businesses that can demonstrate effective use of technology and innovation to improve their business.
The CalCard Product
What is a CalCard?
The CalCard from TestCal (Cal Card) is a Resistance Calibration Checkbox providing a range of fixed resistance's to verify the correct readings on an Insulation and Continuity instrument.
This is one of the many compliance requirements of "competent electrician" schemes operated by bodies such as NICEIC, ELECSA and NAPIT.
Unlike other Checkboxes the CalCard is not only the most affordable but also the handiest. Its unique advantage – The CalCard fits in your instrument case; where you need it and not as another lost box in the van or toolbox
Why does an Electrician Require a CheckBox?
Is it necessary to have a checkbox of some kind whether it is a proprietary one or a simple collection of resistors?
The NICEIC and other groups have introduced into its assessment procedure a check to ensure the functionality and/or accuracy of test instruments.
Quote - If an Approved Contractor is unable to demonstrate that an effective control system is in place to ensure the accuracy of test instruments, the Inspecting Engineer will record a non-compliance in the Assessment Report.
Calibration CheckBox and the "Competent Electrician"!
Since the introduction of the Part P regulations and the associated standards, it is not difficult to get confused by the misleading manufactures statements and requirements associated by the commonly termed piece of test kit the "Calibration Checkbox".
Electricians are now being seriously misled by a lot of quality on-line forums and manufactures marketing material as to the true requirements of instrument calibration and checking.
Altogether this confusion is resulting in the electricians adopting a "belts and braises" approach to calibration and thus purchasing totally over the top, high specification calibration devices. This is purely in response to the fear of the unknown injected by sweeping statements from many sources.
Checkboxes are designed for checking the on-going accuracy of Insulation and Continuity Resistance test instruments.
What is "Ongoing Accuracy"?
It ensures that instrument measurement ability remains accurate throughout the whole Calibration Period.
Using the CalCard Resistance CheckBox a first baseline measurement is made and recorded when the instrument first returns from calibration
Thereafter the electrician checks the instrument against this reference baseline to confirm the operation of electricians’ insulation and continuity instruments is still reading correctly.
This is one of the many compliance requirements of "competent electrician".
The CalCard also functions as a simple check measurement when a dubious meter reading requires simple verification; this is particularly useful when on site carrying out testing.
Features of the CalCard
What is a Calibration CheckBox?
A calibration checkbox simply provides a suitable range of known fixed resistance sources.
Professional tradesmen working with electricity are required to routinely measuring their instruments against an identifiable source in order to ensure the instrument continues to function within specification.
Who accepts and recommends
the CalCard
The CalCard (Cal Card) is currently been used by thousands of Part P registered tradesmen who have been certified and their records checked by inspectors such as IEE, NICEIC, NAPIT, ECA, IET and ELECSA to name but a few.
Extending Calibration Periods
By checking the instruments and recording the results at least once a month, many inspectorate are extending the re-calibration period from one year to three years.
Record Keeping
On the main TestCal Web site you can download the full instructions and additional record keeping sheets.
CalCard CheckBox Technical
Contact Plates
The use of recessed sunken pads instead of panel mounted sockets eases probe location and speeds up the time to make checks there is no need to remove probe tips from instrument probes.
Small Size
Being Credit Card sized it is not hidden or buried in a van's or tool box, it can be stored with the instrument where you would need it.
Strong
Comprised of laminated layers on a multi-layered glass fibre base, it provides a very tough resilient product that is both moisture resilient and strong enough to survive the working environment.
Dependability
To ensure instrument probes connect consistently the access pads are coated firstly in copper for connectivity, then nickel to prevent hard points of the probe penetrating and breaking the pads, then finally gold to maintain the consistent measurement and protection from corrosion and tarnishing.
- Gold (0.3-0.7microns)
- Nickel (3-5 microns)
- Copper (35 microns)
.
Insulation Tests
- Five Resistance Values against either of the two common points
All tested to 1,500 Volts.
0,5MΩ
1MΩ
2MΩ
10MΩ
20MΩ
These are all the realistic values which may be encountered during actual insulation resistance testing.
0.5M , 1M & 2M are particularly relevant to BS7671 IEE 16th and 17th Edition Wiring Regulations:
Continuity tests
Five Resistance Values all measured against either common point.
0,25Ω
0.5Ω
1Ω
2Ω
5 Ω
The most critical areas of testing for R1+R2 or simply R2 are usually within the parameters of the CalCard
Frequently Asked Questions
Often on forums and within suppliers literature reference is made to three points "Precision Resistors", "Calibration Certificates" and "Traceability". Often these references are made to support and warrant over-inflated prices of other Checkboxes in the Market.
Why isn't the CalCard Traceable to Calibration Standards?
Quote 1 - "Only a calibration check on traceable equipment will determine that your test gear was inside its stated specification."
This is true for calibration of the instrument, but the fundamental stipulation of Checkboxes is "to verify the on-going accuracy", a purely relative measurement.
You do not need to employ traceability standard procedures.
Why are Precision Resistors not Required?
A lot of reputable suppliers quote their use of "Precision Resistors".
Using Precision Resistors of high tolerance is simply not required for resistance Checkboxes.
The measurements are purely relative not absolute.
All commercial resistors will provide consistancy throughout their lives. The important factor which effects repeatability is the assembly process and connections of the CheckBox; not the quality or tolerance of the resistor It is important to understand for on-going checking it is not the absolute resistance measurement; it is the relative measurements from an established instrument baseline. This Baseline is established on the first measurement; future measurements should remain the same and not drift from this reference baseline.
Why do CalCards not have a Calibration Certificates
A reputable supplier is supplying resistor Checkboxes with calibration certificates.
Resistance Checkboxes do not require certification, calibration, traceability or precision.
These check measurements are relative and not the absolute.
Can the CalCard be used for RCD Trip Testing
The CalCard is not designed for RCD testing or Zs testing. An accepted procedure for carrying out these tests are described in another document downloadable here.
Contact Information
Michelle MatthewsSales:
Stephen BrownTechnical:
+44 (0)845 643 6636Telephone:
+44 (0)1207 509 051Fax:
sales@testcal.co.uk Email: