Time Electronics 1030 MicroCal User manual

User Manual
1030 MicroCal
Voltage and Current Source
Version 1.2
02-23
Time Electronics Ltd
Unit 5, TON Business Park, 2-8 Morley Road,
Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1RA, United Kingdom.
T: [phone] | F: [phone]
[e-mail] | www.timeelectronics.com

© 2023 Time Electronics Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Nothing from this manual may be multiplied, or made public in any form or manner, either
electronically or hard copy, without prior written consent from Time Electronics Ltd.
This also applies to any schematics, drawings and diagrams contained herein.
This manual provides operating and safety instructions for the Time Electronics product.
To ensure correct operation and safety, please follow the instructions in this manual.
Time Electronics reserves the right to change the contents, specifications and other
information contained in this manual without notice.

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1030 MicroCal Voltage and Current Source User Manual
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Contents
1Introduction....................................................................................................................................2
2Specifications ................................................................................................................................4
3Controls..........................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Description of Controls ..........................................................................................................................6
4Operation........................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Voltage Ranges .....................................................................................................................................7
4.2 Output Voltages above 1 V....................................................................................................................8
4.3 Current Ranges .....................................................................................................................................8
4.4 Output Resistance ................................................................................................................................. 8
5Applications ...................................................................................................................................9
5.1 Four Terminal Resistance Measurements.............................................................................................9
5.2 Thermocouple Simulation....................................................................................................................10
6Battery Replacement and Recharging ....................................................................................... 11
7Calibration....................................................................................................................................12
7.1 Preparing for calibration ...................................................................................................................... 12
7.2 Module and Trimmer Location ............................................................................................................. 13
8Maintenance and Repair. ............................................................................................................14
8.1 Dismantling the Instrument.................................................................................................................. 14
8.2 Battery Replacement. ..........................................................................................................................14
8.3 Repair .................................................................................................................................................. 14
9Warranty and Servicing............................................................................................................... 15

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1Introduction
The 1030 MicroCal is a portable voltage and current calibrator for general purpose signal
injection. It is suitable for voltage and current loop signal simulation as well as thermocouple
simulation. Being both cost-effective and simple operation, it is a popular instrument used in
various applications across industries.
The compact (115 x 62 x 55 mm) and durable design makes it ideal for use in both the lab
and field, with carry case supplied as standard. Typically, alkaline battery life is 60 hours. An
optional rechargeable NiMH battery pack is available, complete with external mains charger,
Useable time between charges typically 18 hours.
The MicroCal is designed for traditional and quick analogue control. The precision 10-turn
dial provides a conventional feel to selecting the required output with a setting resolution of 1
part in a 1000 (0.1 %).
Three voltage ranges give an adjustable output from 10 μV to 1 V and two current ranges for
10 μA to 100 mA. An additional 0 to 8V output can be obtained by using a precision 1 kΩ
resistor that is supplied with the unit. The resistor is connected across the output terminals
and the 10 mA current range selected. This allows the output to be set between 0 and ± 8 V
with a 10 mV resolution and an accuracy of 0.3% of full scale.
The 1030 is simple to operate and does not require any standardisation prior to use. The
operator needs only to switch on, check the battery condition, and set the required range
and output value. The unit is a pocket-sized, practical test tool for engineers and technicians
requiring a precision compact solution for low range V/I sourcing.

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Features
•10 mV, 100 mV, 1 V ranges
•10 mA, 100 mA ranges
•Accuracy 0.1 %
•Linearity 0.15 %
•Up to 8 V output (using 1 kΩ resistor)
•Precision 10-turn dial
•60 hours typical battery life
•Battery level indicator
•Supplied with carry case
Ordering Information and Options
Order Code Description
1030 MicroCal Voltage and Current Source
1031 Rechargeable Battery Pack (NiMH Battery and 240V Mains Charger)
1032 Rechargeable Battery Pack (NiMH Battery and 110V Mains Charger)
C155 Traceable Calibration Certificate (Factory)
C110 Accredited Calibration Certificate (ISO 17025)

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2Specifications
Voltage Ranges: 0 to 1 V (1 mV resolution).
0 to 100 mV (100 µV resolution).
0 to 10 mV (10 µV resolution).
8 Volts (10 mV resolution) using external precision 1KΩresistor supplied.
Current Ranges: 0 to 100 mA (100 µA resolution).
0 to 10 mA (10 µA resolution).
Accuracy:
1 Volt range: ± 0.1 % of FS ± 30 µV.
100mV range: ± 0.1 % of FS ± 3 µV.
10mV range: ± 0.2 % of FS ± 0.3 µV.
100mA range: ± 0.2 % of FS ± 3 µA.
10mA range: ± 0.2 % of FS ± 0.3 µA.
8 Volt range: ± 0.3 % of FS.
Linearity: 0.15 % of setting.
Temperature Coefficient: 150 ppm of FS/ºC (Outside 18 to 28 ºC).
Noise: 30 ppm of full scale.
Battery: 9 V Alkaline PP3 type. Approx. 60 hours life depending on output current.
NiMH rechargeable available as an optional extra.
Battery Condition: Continuously monitored by front panel Led indicator.
Green = good battery, Red = change battery.
Output Polarity: Positive or Negative (Norm – Rev), switch selectable.
A centre Off position is also provided, which shorts the output terminals together.
Maximum Output Current:
1V, 100mV Ranges: Typically 20 mA.
10mV Range: Up to short circuit value. Note that loads of less than 1 kΩ will give > 0.1% error.
Maximum Output Voltage:
(Current Ranges): 8 V.
Output Protection: The 1030 can withstand continuous short circuit or open circuit on all ranges.
Output Resistance: 0.2 Ωon 1 V and 100 mV ranges.
10 Ωon 10 mV range.
1 kΩwhen using the current shunt resistor.
Dimensions: 115 x 62 x 55 mm.
Carry Case: A black carry case is supplied.

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3Controls
Note: Models built before March 2020 feature a different type of battery level indicator.
Output Terminals
Output polarity switch
Selects
Normal/Off/Reverse
Recharge Socket (on top)
For recharging NiMH battery (if fitted)
10 turn potentiometer
Selects required output.
Potentiometer lock
Right position is free,
left is locked.
Battery level indicator
Warns of low battery.
6 position rotary switch
Selects range and turns
instrument on.

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3.1 Description of Controls
Output Terminals
Output Voltage and Current is available on two front panel terminals which are suitable for
either wire compression or 4mm standard plug insertion.
Polarity Switch
Normal or reverse polarity is selected by a toggle switch. The centre position is OFF which
provides an open circuit on the output terminals.
6-way Position range switch
Switch Position
Switch Function
1
OFF
Voltage Ranges
2
0 – 1V (1mV resolution)
3
0 – 100mV (100µV resolution)
4
0 – 10mV (10µV resolution)
0 – 8V (10mV resolution), using external precision 1kohm resistor (included)
Current Ranges
5
0 – 100mA (100µA resolution)
6
0 – 10mA (10µA resolution
10 Turn potentiometer fine adjust dial
Scaled 0-100. Linearly output from 0 – 100% of selected output range.
10 Turn dial potentiometer lock
Enables the set output to be temporary locked.
Battery Level Indicator
This continuously monitors the battery voltage. The battery should be replaced or recharged
when the LED battery level indicator changes from green to red.
Recharge Socket
The mains recharger is a separate unit, the output of which is supplied via a flying lead fitted
with a non-reversible plug. Recharge time is between 12 and 14 hours.
CAUTION
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MUST AN ADDITIONAL VOLTAGE BE CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH THE
OUTPUT OF THE 1030 IN AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THE VOLTAGE CAPABILITY AS THIS WILL CAUSE
DAMAGE TO THE OUTPUT CIRCUITRY.

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4Operation
4.1 Voltage Ranges
Suggested operation procedure is as follows:
Select Off position on output switch.
Turn on and select required range.
Check battery level indicator for high enough reading, or when fitted, LED is Illuminated
green (see Battery Replacement Section 6).
Select required output on the ten-turn potentiometer, which can then be locked by pushing
the lever at the bottom to the left. The ten-turn potentiometer linearly adjusts the output from
zero to full scale on any range. The number of complete turns is displayed in the dials
window, parts of a turn are red on the inner scale, (calibrated 0-9 with 100 divisions), using
the red indent as a pointer.
EXAMPLE: To set 56.2 mV:
1) Select 100 mV range.
2) Turn dial until 5 appears in the centre of the window.
3) Set inner scale to 6.2.
The table below shows the effect of the dial on each range.
Range 1 Turn 1/10th of a Turn 1 Division
(1/100)
Voltage Output
1 V
100 mV
10 mV
1 mV
100 mV 10 mV 1 mV 100 µV
10 mV
1 mV
100 µV
10 µV
Current Output
100 mA 10 mA 1 mA 100 µA
10 mA 1 mA 100 µA 10 µA
NOTE: 0.001 V = 1 mV = 1000 µV
0.001 A = 1 mA = 1000 µA
4) Switch output to Normal or Reverse as required.

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4.2 Output Voltages above 1 V
To use the 8V range, connect the supplied 1 kΩresistor across the output terminals, and
switch to the 10mA range. The 1030 will act as a voltage source, the output being adjusted
with the 10-turn dial, with a scale of 1 volt per turn up to a maximum of about 8 volts with a
good battery.
This allows the output to be set between 0 V and ± 8 V with a 10 mV resolution and an
accuracy of 0.3 % of full scale.
4.3 Current Ranges
On the current ranges, the drive voltage available at the terminals is governed by the battery
voltage. Care should be taken not to exceed the 1030 voltage limit, as large errors will result
if the load/current product exceeds the 1030 8 V drive capability.
This can easily be checked by either measuring the voltage across the 1030’s terminals
when under load, or by checking using ohms law that R x I is less than 8 volts.
4.4 Output Resistance
The table below illustrates how the voltage appearing at the output terminals of the calibrator
will be affected by load resistance:
Ratio of Load Resistance to Calibrator Error in selected
Output Resistance Output Voltage
1,000:1 0.1 %
100:1 1.0 %
10:1 9.0 %
1:1 50.0 %