In general, running the self calibration is better than not running it. It is not as good as doing a factory calibration.
If you have not run it for a while, or if the lab temperature is more than 5 Degrees C from the calibration temperature, then it is probably worth the time.
In general, running the self calibration is better than not running it. It is not as good as doing a factory calibration.
If you have not run calibration for a while, or if the lab temperature is more than 5 Degrees C from the calibration temperature, then it is probably worth the time.
To expand: - Users of some equipment, such as a VNA, do a calibration every time they turn the equipment on. - If you are planning on making accurate measurements, you should calibrate. - If your lab temperature is more than 5 degrees C from the previous calibration temperature, you should calibrate. - If you're not sure, you should calibrate.
Is the "self calibration" you are talking about the same as the "User Calibration" described in the DSO-X 3014A User's Guide, the one that uses five BNC terminated cables?
My oscilloscope is almost two years old and I liked to run it but the User's Guide sentence "... performing User Cal will invalidate your Certificate of Calibration ..." worries me quite a bit. Is it a problem to invalidate the Certificate of Calibration before the 3-years warranty expires?
'Self calibration' is the terminology used on the 1000 series and 'User calibration' is used on the 2000X, 3000X, and 4000X series.
Performing the 'User Calibration' on your 3000X product will invalidate the certificate of calibration shipped with the product. The certificate of calibration came in a yellow envelope and lists the date of calibration, calibration temperature and humidity conditions, and a list of test equipment used in the procedure. This is only an issue if you require traceability to international standards. When the product is shipped from the factory the user calibration is performed and then the calibration is validated using the 'performance verification' outlined in the service guide. This process sets the certificate of calibration because the instrument is validated with equipment that can be checked for traceability. For the 2000X, 3000X, and 4000X the certificate of calibration is valid for two years assuming that you are operating in the same temperature and humidity ranges that are listed on the certificate of calibration (the 1000 series is good for one year).
If you need traceability, you will need to perform the 'performance verification' procedure using traceable equipment after running the 'self calibration'.
If you do not need traceability, you can perform the user calibration at any time with no issues assuming your hardware is functioning properly.
Peforming user calibration will not invalidate your warranty.
What scope, what conditions?
In general, running the self calibration is better than not running it. It is not as good as doing a factory calibration.
If you have not run it for a while, or if the lab temperature is more than 5 Degrees C from the calibration temperature, then it is probably worth the time.
Al