Replace a KEE probe when the manufacturer’s check indicates it is no longer functioning properly, not simply because an unfamiliar item gives an unexpected result. Troubleshooting the reference first can prevent both unnecessary spending and unreliable testing.
Separate a probe problem from a sample problem
Begin with your known reference. If the reference behaves normally but one piece does not, investigate that piece’s surface and construction. If familiar samples are now inconsistent, review the tester setup before drawing conclusions about any unknown jewelry.
Write down what changed. Was the instrument moved? Was the probe left uncapped? Did the problem begin after testing a dirty item? A brief history helps a supplier give useful advice instead of guessing from “it reads wrong.”
Use the KEE check
The KEE FAQ describes a probe-health test using clean 18K material on the platform and the calibration control turned fully counterclockwise while maintaining probe contact. It specifies the expected needle region; use that illustrated or written reference directly when judging the result.
This is a maintenance check, not your normal calibration setting. Restore the correct operating calibration before returning to routine testing. If you are unsure how to interpret the result, contact the supplier with the model information and your observations.
Protect the next probe
KEE emphasizes keeping the cap on, avoiding contamination and using light contact. Do not try to extend probe life by adding an improvised liquid or crushing the tip to obtain a reading. Those actions introduce new uncertainties.
Store the spare in its original packaging according to the supplier’s instructions. Record the date it enters service, but do not treat age alone as a performance measurement. Usage and storage can differ considerably between owners.
Decide what to buy
Confirm that the replacement is specified for your KEE unit. Similar-looking probes from another brand are not evidence of compatibility. Compare delivered cost and availability, and ask whether the supplier can help if the new probe does not resolve the problem.
Gold Kings recommends replacing the consumable before replacing a sound instrument when the documented checks identify the probe as the issue. If a new compatible probe still cannot support a consistent reference reading, stop testing unknowns and have the complete setup assessed.
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Sources and further reading
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