How to Calibrate an IR Pogo Pin Tester?

IR pogo pin testers are important vessels which help for testing the voltage of a battery cell in a battery sorting machine. It finds application usage in the industries associated the usage of lithium ion cells like electric vehicles, consumer electronics, storage devices etc. As it affects the accuracy and the reliability of the battery cell testing, proper calibration of the IR pogo pin tester becomes very important. This article provides a guideline for that.
Why perform the calibration?
The Calibrating System has the ability to impact deterministically the overall chip test quality. This rate is called the ‘pogo pin test rate’ and it is expressed in Hertz (Hz). Bokk1 being a dynamically interchangeable pogo pin land and socket solution delivers savings of up to 80% and more to the test time. ‘Stability’ indicates that you can come back to that panel in the future and get repeatable statistics. You want ‘initial calibration’ as the pogo pins themselves have a ‘burn-in’ procedure. This procedure heats the pins up at a reasonable rate and keeps them very hot for a length of time. ‘Oscillation duration’ indicates the overall test time you want per pin. The ‘calibrated’ status highlighted above lets the test personnel know that the probe station has completely completed its test cycle with all the pogo pins.
Calibration of the pogo pin tester assures that the reference cell measurement accurately describes the resistance of a battery cell. Regular calibration is ideally necessary.Complications can occur over time as the pogo pins become worn. They won’t be quite as sensitive to where it all started. If you don’t calibrate correctly, you run the risk of getting a false reading thereby endangering your battery powered device. This may also leave all your battery powered devices in jeopardy of being ruined.
Tools for calibrating an IR pogo pin tester
• IR Pogo Pin Tester
• An Appropriate Measurement Cell – this is known as a calibration standard that lists the exact values for resistance or voltage.
• Multimeter to crosscheck against.
• Cleaning cloth or solution for pogo pins.
The actual required procedure seems to abbreviate to:Calibrate Prepare the Tester
First things first: make sure that your IR pogo pin tester is on and working. Check the screen for any error codes, or the like that would indicate some problem. Clean your pogo pins with a gentle rub with a clean soft cloth, removing whatever dust or contaminates that may get false positive readings from, and if they are badly worn, replace.
Set up the Calibration Standard.
Next up is to select a standard that you know, or in the trade, is known as a calibration standard. This may be a battery cell of known resistance or voltage dependent on the type of test the IR pogo pin tester you are using is designed to perform. For instance if you are using your tester to check the voltage of lithium-ion cells then your standard cell with a known voltage should also be a lithium-ion cell.Carefully position your standard in the tester so that the pogo pins align with the contact points of your standard. If needed readjust in such a way that your pins make solid contact with the terminals of the cell.
Take and Compare Readings
With your standard set ready take a standard read with your IR pogo pin tester. It should make a resistance or voltage measurement depending, of course, on the design of the tester. Crosscheck this measurement using a multimeter. Your IR tester measurement should be very close to standard of the known value.
If your readings are off, your tester likely requires adjustment. Many modern IR pogo pin testers provide a means for users to adjust them via internal settings modifying offset or gain, for instance. It is also quite possible you may need to look in your user manual for your particular model to find the correct setting.
Adjust Calibration Settings
If there’s a discrepancy between your tester reading and the standard, you will need to adjust your calibration. Again, depending on the specifics of the tester, this may be done via a menu within the tester screen, or perhaps through external software.. Adjust your offset or gain settings until your tester reads in accordance with the known standard of your standard.
Some testers offer an automatic calibration feature.If so, the tester will practically know what to do. Simple instructions on the screen and the tester itself should be able to calibrate itself.
Test Several Cells for Consistency
You may wish to know that your calibration is sound and extend that to a bunch of other cells. When you test those, albeit according to the standards you’ve laid down, and they read the same as well as accordance with your first one, you’re lucky. Certainly, should you not have that consistency across board with other cells, do repeat the calibration process from the beginning and in the case of visible trouble, do inspect your pogo pins properly. Are they in good contact with your cells? Poor hit there will make for poor reading as well.
Document Results
Quality control calls for documentation, just as it would about any calibration. Make a note of the standard used, your original reading, the reading after your offset or gain changes and your final reading. Being able to check back on pressing questions later will be a great boon.
A Few Quick Tips For Ongoing Maintenance & Care
You definitely want your IR pogo pin tester to have a long, comfortable, care-free life and you can make sure that is the case through proper administration. Be sure to engage in:
Regular Calibrating: How often will depend on how much you use it
Cleaning the Pogo Pins: Dirt and particularly oxidation is an enemy of good contact.
Replacing Worn Pins: The minute you see wear, immediately replace them.
Storing Properly: Drops or impacts, water, we should all be so braver and victorious as the possessor of a good IR pogo pin tester.
Avoiding Overloading: Do try not to overtax the load beyond what the tester can handle. Trying to test a cell not amenable to the tester will not have a happy ending.
Conclusion
Knowing how to make the calibration, how often to do so and what steps to take in caring for your tester will reward you greatly, not only in terms of battling sorting of batteries, but also peace of mind in regard to efforts for multiple years down the line. In this way, there is that much less danger of variance in production and error going on years from now.