Performance Check Kits – Frequently Asked Questions
Is your cable tester still meeting calibration requirements? A performance check kit from Cirris is a valuable tool that can provide answers to your calibration concerns. Performance check kits will evaluate your cable tester’s performance to confirm that it still meets our product specifications. At Cirris we receive a lot of questions about calibration and performance check kits. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers to help you better understand how to use this tool.
- Why do I need to check the calibration of my tester?
- How much does a performance check kit cost?
- What does a performance check kit look for?
- Does a performance check kit calibrate my tester?
- How often should I check my tester’s calibration?
- How long is certification good for?
- Why did Cirris change the certification from five years to two years?
- How often should I replace my kit?
- Do I need a separate kit for every tester model?
- What happens if my tester fails verification?
Why do I need to check the calibration of my tester?
To ensure quality, the industry uses certain standards of measurement. Cirris testers are calibrated in accordance with ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 and ISO-10012 at the factory. After a certain period of time a tester can fall out of calibration and drop below quality standards. This can be due to passive and active components falling out of tolerance, mechanical wear, or vibration and general use. A performance check kit from Cirris will let you know if your tester is still in compliance with factory standards.
How much does a performance check kit cost?
The price of a performance check kit varies depending on the type of tester. For information on pricing, contact your Cirris representative.
What does a performance check kit look for?
Performance check kits verify three main systems.
- Signal Routing System
- Resistance Measurement System
- Capacitance Standards
Kits also perform a hipot check for High voltage testers ensuring that they pick up hipot failures at various performance thresholds. Further details on the verification of these systems can be found on our Calibration page under the tab, “What Do They Do?”
Does a performance check kit calibrate my tester?
No. A kit tells you if your tester is still operating within calibration standards set at the factory. If your tester needs to be calibrated you must send it to either Cirris or a third party calibration lab to make needed hardware modifications or replacements that will bring it back into calibration.
How often should I check my tester’s calibration?
It varies by tester. Testers that do not have programmable resistance thresholds only need to be verified every two years. Testers that have programmable resistance thresholds as well as any high voltage testers need to be verified every year. The CR is currently the only Cirris tester that will alert you when its calibration is due. For other Cirris testers you will have to remember to check periodically.
How long is certification good for?
Each performance check kit comes with a certificate of calibration that can be used to verify the kit for two years before needing to be replaced.
Why did Cirris change the certification from five years to two years?
When Cirris first introduced performance check kits, ISO-9000 and other quality systems did not exist. As more of our customers implemented quality systems, the 5-year service period of our PCHK’s was becoming problematic. (Specifically for customers who must perform a final certification before a kit can be taken out of service.) If a kit fails final certification it can render invalid all testing that was performed on testers verified with the kit since its last certification. A shorter interval was needed to save work (and panic) at a customer site. For more information, see the tab, “What’s Included in the Kit?”, on our Calibration page.
How often should I replace my kit?
A kit is good for two years. During that period of time you can use it to verify calibration and other test purposes as you see necessary. At the end of the two years Cirris recommends purchasing a new kit rather than recalibrating the kit.
Do I need a separate kit for every tester model?
While a kit is available for every tester model, in some cases one kit may apply to multiple testers. Ask your Cirris representative for information on how you can potentially save costs when you have multiple tester types.
What happens if my tester fails verification?
If your tester fails verification it means your tester no longer meets factory standards and must be recalibrated. You may either send your tester to Cirris for calibration or to a third party calibration lab. To learn how to send your tester to Cirris for calibration, see “Recalibrating Your Cirris Tester.”
Some customers choose not to use a performance check kit but to simply send their tester to Cirris for calibration. Whether you choose to use a performance check kit first or send your tester directly to Cirris for calibration, you can be sure your tester will receive the best support from our team of experts.
If you have additional questions you can visit the calibration page or contact Cirris.