HIGH ACCURACY

RESISTANCE DECADE
BOXES TYPE RBB
4, 5 & 6 DECADES
 CONTENTS

HIGH ACCURACY RESISTANCE DECADE BOXES ................................

4, 5 & 6 DECADES................................................................................... 2

Residual Resistance................................................................................. 3

Low Value Decades ................................................................................. 4

Operation ................................................................................................. 4

Connection ............................................................................................... 5

Operation & Maintenance......................................................................... 6

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 HIGH ACCURACY RESISTANCE DECADE BOXES – RBB
4, 5 & 6 DECADES

The RBB series of resistance boxes are available in 4, 5 & 6 decades. High Accuracy and wide
range 0.001 ohm to 11 Megohms are combined in a compact case. The switches have gold
plated contacts to ensure a low contact resistance and negligible thermal emf. Some models are
particularly suited to Pt100 simulation with resolution as low as 0.001 ohm (±0.0025°C).

The Switches Maximum Continuous Working Voltage

Cropico Type SP1 Up to 250V DC
Contact Resistance <1mΩ/Decade
Insulation Resistance (all paths >10GΩ)

Resistance Coils Noise

Temperature Co-efficient Essentially non-measurable
±5ppm maximum over -55°C to +125°C
0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 dials 10ppm/°C

Full Load Stability Thermal EMF

±35ppm/10,000 hours <0.4µV/°C typical
±50ppm/26,000 Hours <1.5µV/°C max

No Load Stability Encapsulation

±25ppm/10,000 hours Moulded Epoxy
±35ppm/26,000 hours over full temperature
range; -55°C to 125°C

Power Rating Leads

0.33 watt (+85°C) 22 SWG tinned copper
0.25 watt (+110°C)

Windings
Exclusive ‘air cushion’ technique provides
virtually stressless elements for improved
performance. Non inductively wound.
Direction of winding reversed at half turns point

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7 Models to choose from

Number of Total Residual

Model Resolution Size Weight
Decades Resistance Resistance
RBB4-A 4 1,111 Ω 0.1 Ω 0.01Ω 310x100x140 2.7 kg

RBB4-B 4 11,110 Ω 1Ω 0.01Ω 310x100x140 2.7 kg

RBB4-C 4 111,100 Ω 10 Ω 0.01Ω 310x100x140 2.7 kg

RBB5-B 5 1,112.1 Ω 0.01 Ω 1Ω 348x100x140 3.4 kg

RBB5-C 5 11,111 Ω 0.1 Ω 0.012Ω 348x100x140 3.4 kg

RBB5-D 5 111,110 Ω 1Ω 0.012Ω 348x100x140 3.4 kg

RBB5-E 5 1.1111MΩ 10 Ω 0.012Ω 348x100x140 3.4 kg

RBB5-F 5 11.111MΩ 100 Ω 0.012Ω 348x100x140 3.4 kg

RBB6-B 6 1,112.11 Ω 0.001 Ω 1Ω 450x100x140 3.85 kg

RBB6-C 6 11,112.1 Ω 0.01 Ω 1Ω 450x100x140 3.85 kg

RBB6-D 6 111,111 Ω 0.1 Ω 0.013Ω 450X100X140 3.85 kg

RBB6-E 6 1.11111MΩ 1Ω 0.013Ω 450x100x140 3.85 kg

RBB6-F 6 11.1111MΩ 10 Ω 0.013Ω 450X100X140 3.85 kg

Accuracy of Decades
Decade Accuracy of adjustment
Power Reading Temperature Coefficient
Incremental Steps
(Ohms)
10 x 1 MΩ ± 0.1 % 0.5 W 10ppm/°C

10 x 100 k Ω ± 0.1 % 0.5 W 10ppm/°C

10 x 10 kΩ ± 0.05 % 0.33 W 3ppm/°C

10 x 1 kΩ ± 0.05 % 0.33 W 3ppm/°C

10 x 100 Ω ± 0.05% 0.33 W 3ppm/°C

10 x 10 Ω ± 0.05% 0.33 W 3ppm/°C

10 x 1 Ω ± 0.2 % 0.33 W 3ppm/°C

10 x 0.1 Ω ± 0.5 % 0.75 W 10ppm/°C

10 x 0.01 Ω ±1 % 0.75 W 10ppm/°C

10 x 0.001 Ω ±2 % 0.75 W 10ppm/°C

10 x 0.0001 Ω ± 10 % 0.75 W 10ppm/°C

The RBB series of decade resistance boxes has been designed to be robust, reliable, and require
the minimum maintenance. The switches should serviced and cleaned annually to ensure best
performance. The resistance elements are factory adjusted to be within specification and it is not
possible to alter their value. In the event of a resistor becoming damaged it is necessary to
replace the whole resistor.

Residual Resistance

With all the decade dials set at 0 there will be a resistance measured at the terminals, this
resistance is made up form 2 components. The resistance of the wires connecting the decade

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switches to the terminals; this is a constant value. The contact resistance of the decade switches,
this will vary each time the switch is turned or disturbed. This residual resistance must be added
to the decade values set on the decades, it is therefore important that this residual should be as
low and constant as possible.

The CROPICO decade boxes have a low and stable residual resistance per decade. This value
is controlled by the use of special low resistance switches.

It is not practical to manufacture decade resistance boxes where the lowest decade is less than
0.1Ω. To switch in steps of 0.01Ω and lower, special techniques need to be employed.

Low Value Decades

When switching decade resistance of 0.01Ω and lower the switch contact resistance variations
become significant, this variation can be typically 10mΩ for an 4 decade unit and 13mΩ for a 6
decade unit. In addition the total residual resistance which would also include the internal wiring
of the decade box could be significantly higher than the lowest decade values. CROPICO
overcome this problem by using the Wagner Wolf decade, this technique enables higher
resistance values to be used for the decade which are then shunted to give the correct
incremental steps. The residual value of the unit is deliberately increased to 1Ω, and the 1Ω
decade will start at 1 and not zero. This is not normally a problem, because the applications that
require values to be selected with high resolution would have a much greater full scale resistance,
typical applications include the simulation of Pt100 temperatures. The Pt100 resistance
thermometers have a resistance of 100Ω at 0°C and 0.01°C is approximately equal to 0.001Ω.

Operation

To select a resistance value turn the dial of the appropriate decade until the desired value is
indicated by the switch pointers. The multiplier for each decade is shown below the dial i.e. x 0.1
or x 10 etc.

Example to select 21,234.5 Ω

9 10 9 10 9 10 9 10 9 10 9 10
8 8 8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0

x 10kΩ x 1kΩ x 100Ω x 10Ω x 1Ω x 0.1Ω

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Connection

The connections to the resistance box are made via the two 4mm
terminals marked with the resistance symbol either banana plugs
RX
or spade terminals may be used. The third terminal marked with Connection
an earth symbol is connected directly to the top panel. Terminals

Earth
Terminal

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 OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
These Resistance Boxes are supplied calibrated to specification and ready for use.

The specified accuracy refers to the dial setting. To maintain the calibrated accuracy, avoid
subjecting the box to thermal shocks or rough handling

Prior to having the box re-certified by e.g. a UKAS Laboratory, it is good practice to return the box
to us first for service of the switch contacts.

1. Before using, at all times rotate each dial twice in both directions to ensure a constant
contact resistance.

2. When using in a voltage carrying circuit, to determine the correct resistance value to be
used, always start by setting the dials at a high value. This avoids the possibility of
overloading the resistance box and possible permanent damage to the resistance coils.

3. Remember that the box has a residual resistance which must be added to the final reading.
This value is defined in the specification and is usually insignificant. The low value boxes
with decades of 10 x 0.01, 0.00 1 and 0.0001 are constructed using the WAIDNER-WOLFF
system, in which case the residual resistance is clearly defined, as the 1 ohm dial starts at
“I” and not “0”.

4. The models with low value decades are often used for resistance thermometer simulation,
in which case the following data may be useful.

Platinum resistance thermometers ballasted to give a total resistance of 100 ohms at U°C.

Fundamental interval 38.50 ohms

Degrees C Resistance Ohms

BS1904/I.E.C. 751
-100 60.25
-50 80.31
-25 90.19
0 100.00
±25 109.73
±50 119.40
±100 138.40
±150 157.31
+200 175.84
+250 194.07
+300 212.02
+350 229.67
+400 247.04
+450 264.11
+500 280.90
+550 297.39
+600 313.59

Calibration Temperature 200C

Proofing voltage to the earth connection 2kV

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Prior to despatch, each box is subjected to 100% inspection and issued with a Certificate of
Conformity. Information regarding traceability to the National Standard is also supplied.

The only maintenance that these Resistance Boxes should require is the cleaning of the switch
contacts. They should be inspected annually and if the contacts are dirty, or tarnished due to lack
of use, proceed as follows:

a) Remove the instrument from its box by unscrewing the screws around the outer edge of the
top panel. The instrument can than be removed from its case.

b) The switches can now be seen and cleaned as follows:

Clean all contacts with a lint-free cloth and lightly lubricate all contacts with “SGB Contact
Treatment Grease”. Do not use aerosol cleaning and degreasing agents unless absolutely
necessary. If they are used, make sure that the contact grease is applied to all the stud and
centre return contacts before re-assembly.

c) After greasing the switch contacts, rotate each switch rapidly backwards and forwards 10
times.

The resistors will remain within specification for many years and with normal usage should never
need attention. However, accidents do happen, and should they be burnt out due to overloading,
the connections to the faulty resistors can be unsoldered and the resistor replaced. Order
replacement resistors are as follows:

One ohm resistor for decade box type RBB or RB

Note a dial marked 10 x 100 would have 10 x 100 ohm resistors wired in series.

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 Additional Products From Cropico

DIGITAL OHMMETERS

RESISTANCE BRIDGES

RESISTANCE DECADE BOXES

RESISTANCE STANDARDS

DIGITAL THERMOMETERS

THERMOCOUPLE SIMULATORS

THERMOCOUPLE REFERENCE JUNCTIONS

THERMOCOUPLE SELECTOR SWITCHES

PT100 SIMULATORS

PRECISION WATTMETERS

INSULATION TEST SETS

UNIVERSAL CALIBRATORS

POWER ANALYSERS

HIPOT TESTERS

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TESTERS

Phone, fax or e-mail for further information on the above or for a copy of our general
catalogue:- Phone:- 020 8684 4025
Fax:- 020 8684 4094
E-mail:- enquiries@cropico.com
Website:- www.cropico.com

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