Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Rectifier calibration
Q. Hi Folks,
Does anyone know of a standard to which electroplating and anodising rectifiers can be calibrated.
None of our customer specs so much as mention amps or volts in relation to the processes.
If we set any limits we would surely need some standard reference to back up our choice.
Thanks and Best regards
Mark Lees
- A dull grey rock in the Irish Sea
October 25, 2023
A. Hi Mark. I don't exactly know of any such standards, but it would seem that the meters can be calibrated and certified.
Rectifiers always have a shunt which drives the ammeter, usually a 50 mV one (a drop of 50 mV across the shunt when the rectifier is operating at maximum nameplate capacity). So it should be possible to temporarily attach a known & certified ammeter across the shunt to compare to the meters on the rectifier.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Thanks Ted, as you say there are no industry specs that give actual calibration limits. We have always used a calibrated ammeter, but the question was asked, to what standard are the rectifiers held. So the can of worms is opened.
Given that the closest any of our specs come to mentioning plating electronics is to say that we use equipment capable of achieving the coating to the defined quality standard, then what ever we do can not be found to be non-conforming.
The only aspect that is perhaps specified is the test frequency, and that they stay within the rectifier manufacturers claims. So I guess we continue to comply with that.
Best regards
Mark
- A dull, cloudy rock in the Irish sea
October 26, 2023
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