In need of a voltage reference

[Windows9]

Nothing too crazy, 3 to 4 digits would be ideal. Also should be relatively inexpensive. Something like this but precalibrated. Just want to tune in my multimeters. Also do you have to let them sit for a week or two, so they warm up or something

[Hackentosher]

Assuming you got a reputable meter, the default calibration will be more than good enough. If super precision matters, you're probably doing it for work, and if you're doing it for work, your work will buy you a nice bench meter like one of these. https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/precision-measurement/bench-instruments/fluke-8845a-8846a. I've checked my UNI-T 210D against a 6.5 digit bench meter and it was within 1 hundredth on voltage and resistance, which is more than good enough for me.

 

Semiconductor devices begin working instantly, they're not like vacuum tubes that need to warm up before they can operate normally. 

[Windows9]

3 hours ago, Hackentosher said:

Assuming you got a reputable meter, the default calibration will be more than good enough. If super precision matters, you're probably doing it for work, and if you're doing it for work, your work will buy you a nice bench meter like one of these. https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/precision-measurement/bench-instruments/fluke-8845a-8846a. I've checked my UNI-T 210D against a 6.5 digit bench meter and it was within 1 hundredth on voltage and resistance, which is more than good enough for me.

 

Semiconductor devices begin working instantly, they're not like vacuum tubes that need to warm up before they can operate normally. 

My maplin meter is 2 volts out in a year

[Hackentosher]

15 hours ago, Windows9 said:

My maplin meter is 2 volts out in a year

 might be time for a new meter then, the money you would spend on a calibrated voltage source would pay for a better meter.

[mariushm]

No need, just get a newer multimeter

 

I personally have a Uni-T UT61E meter ad can vouch for quality : https://www.tme.eu/en/details/ut61e/portable-digital-multimeters/uni-t/

The DC voltage precision is something like +/- 0.1% +2 digits and it's a 22000 count meter with data logging, so you get lots of decimals at low voltage

Lots of thorough reviews on Youtube for it, if you want something you'll use for 10+ years it's a good investment.

 

There's cheaper models without data logging, like Uni-T 139C for ~ 45$ with 0.5% precision and 6000 count display : https://www.tme.eu/en/details/ut139c/portable-digital-multimeters/uni-t/

 

Can probably get better prices on eBay.

 

And even cheaper models can be found for 10-20$ and typically have better than 1% accuracy.

[artuc]

Keysight is good, have an older Agilent 1272 myself. Can recommend, mine outclassed workmate's Flukes in the same price range.