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Metrology
Metrology
Lord Kelvin, the renowned scientist, had the following to say about metrology:-
"When you can measure what you are speaking about and express it in numbers, you
know something about it, but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in
numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind".
Measurements have been carried out by humans for as long as civilization has existed.
From the primitive population who lived in caves to modern man, the need has always
been there to measure and know. Of course, all these measurements were approximate.
With the development of civilization the need for more acceptable measurement grew.
This led to the evolution of the standards of measures. For example, the standard of
length evolved from the foot of the "King", to the Egyptian cubit, to the metallic metre
and finally to the monochromatic, highly stabilized light source. Interestingly enough,
even though we can now measure with much greater precision, the measurements are still
"approximate" and will always have an element of "uncertainty".
Today, reliable measurements are required over a much wider range of activities. As
industry undergoes major new developments with new materials, techniques and the
miniaturization of products, measurements become more critical. The increasing trend to
sub-contract assembly or sub-systems means that each location needs to have the same
measurement system; otherwise the various parts would not fit together. New areas in
metrology, such as nanotechnology, optical techniques, material sciences, and metrology
in chemistry, healthcare, food safety and testing have developed rapidly. And today the
requirements of law enforcement, fraud, forensics and environmental sciences also need
accurate and traceable measurements to be able to function properly.
The further globalization of trade needs traceable, comparable and mutually acceptable
measurements across the world, not only in the trade of manufactured products and raw
materials but in all aspects of international trade. Society now demands that it can have
confidence in the results of measurements. Decisions based on the data that comes from
measurements are increasingly seen to have a direct influence on the economy, human
safety and welfare. The only way for this to be assured is for measurements in all areas of
science to be made in terms of a well defined system of units and verified measurement
procedures.
The SI (Systeme International d'Unites) is a globally agreed system of units based on the
metric system. There are seven base measurement units from which all other
measurement units are derived. These base units are the metre (length), the second (time),
the mole (amount of substance), the candela (light intensity), the ampere (current), the
kelvin (thermodynamic temperature), and the kilogram (mass).
Measurement science is vital for trade and commerce and is the basis of modern science
and technology. (See references made in the Accreditation section to the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) and technical barriers to trade (TBTs)). Reliable and traceable
measurements are required by every country to ensure that they remain a player in the
world market, whether they are selling goods and services or buying them. It is the
responsibility of all the countries of the world to ensure they have a practical system to
provide their markets with the appropriate levels of traceable metrology to underpin their
trade activities. This does not mean that they need to be able to realise the base units of
the SI system. What they need is to be able to provide a practical traceable solution, one
level higher than the industry is generally operating at.
Several countries have fallen into the trap of planning a national laboratory at the highest
level and then finding that they are unable to provide for the requirements of their own
industry and academia. The correct way to establish the appropriate level for the national
laboratory is to survey the industry and to cater for the general requirements. There will
always be one customer who needs an above-average traceable calibration but these
should be treated as special and sent to another laboratory that can provide the service,
even if it is in another country.
To cater for the demands of its country, the national laboratory also needs to evaluate the
cost-effectiveness of maintaining the required level in each discipline of metrology. In
Europe, the various countries have recognised that, even in their environment, not every
national laboratory can be everything to everybody and they have agreed to have
different areas of speciality while maintaining the general requirements for their industry.
In some developing counties, the national laboratory is no more than a "post office"
which co-ordinates the flow of work to suitable, accredited laboratories in other countries
or even economies. The national laboratory also ensures that the work being performed is
what is required by their customers and is recognised by the various regulating bodies of
their country.
The biggest challenge that faces all metrology laboratories is the availability of suitably
qualified staff. It is often said that the head of a national laboratory should at least have a
PhD but this is clearly not correct. The staff level needs to be such that they can provide
consistently good measurement results and be competent to know what is required to
achieve this. So, if the country only has a "post office", it does not need much more than
a clerical person with a good understanding of how the international traceability and
accredited facilities work. On the other hand, if the organisation is of national research
institute level, it will need to have people with suitable qualifications to manage the
complicated mathematics and system requirements.
Similarly, if the workload at the national laboratory is such that it does not require
specialist staff for every discipline, it is quite easy to combine several of the disciplines
under one or two fields. Many high level laboratories group the electro-magnetic and
mechanical fields simply as two sections with appropriate cross-trained staff in each
group.
Having the correct workspace makes the job much easier. Care must be given to having
stable, non-static and deep work surfaces at a convenient level above the floor (this varies
depending on the country and the average height of the staff). The metrologists will
frequently need to stand and sit, so the right chairs or stools are also required. It is very
useful to have the external work brought into the laboratory on a trolley that is at the
same height as the work surface so that the work can be left on the trolley while being
calibrated. This is obviously not possible in all cases but, where it is, it can save a great
deal of time and physical effort.
The pre-calibration storage area needs to be at the same temperature as the laboratory and
preferably have power available on the storage racks so that equipment due to be
calibrated is allowed to soak at the laboratory temperature under power.
The power must be checked to ensure that all the plug points per workstation are fed from
the same phase of the electrical supply. Various phases can cause earth loops, which will
result in erratic readings and are difficult to find. The mains voltage should be at the
normal supply level (e.g. 230 Vac) ± 10% and have sufficient power available to supply
all the equipment without causing any voltage drops. Care must also be taken to keep
items such as air conditioners and other heavy equipment on a different circuit from the
laboratory equipment. It is also essential to test and confirm the earth bonding of the
laboratory supply and, if it is not sufficient, then an additional "earth" system must be
installed. This is particularly so in high-level electrical and temperature laboratories.
There are several books on the market which relate to all sorts of general laboratory
requirements and procedures. It would be well worth the expense of getting some of these
books before you finalise the plans for the laboratory. Two that are commonly used are a)
Calibration: Philosophy in Practice - ISBN 0-9638650-0-5 b) The Metrology Handbook -
ISBN 978-0-87389-620-7
So, the real industry requirements need to be established in each discipline of metrology
and then people, equipment and facilities chosen that can cater appropriately to industry.
As the industry grows in competence, the national laboratory may need to upgrade its
facilities to cater for the new demands, but this is generally not an overnight requirement.
The most important issue is that the national laboratory is capable of producing traceable
calibration with competence and efficiency at the level required by its market.
Establishing a national facility with the highest level of accuracy and then being unable to
calibrate basic products will mean that industry will lose faith in the national laboratory
and seek traceable calibrations from another source.
1. Mass Metrology
2. Volume Metrology
3. Pressure Metrology
4. Length & Dimensional Metrology
5. Thermometry
6. Definitions of the frequently used Metrology Terms
7. Accommodation and environmental conditions
8. Calibration procedure for calibration of External micrometer
9. Metrology Lab Layout
10. ElectricalMetrology
1.Mass Metrology
1. Introduction
2. Definition
3. Scope
4. Equipment Required
5. Environmental conditions in the laboratory
6. Manpower required
7. Space required
1. Introduction
Mass is one of the most important quantities of the physico-mechanical system. The
concept of mass constitutes a universal characteristic of bodies. Newton described mass
as a physical quantity that could be determined in relationship with other physical
quantities. Experimentally, it was found that if the same force was applied to different
bodies, they showed different acceleration directly proportional to their mass. As a result,
we see traceablity related to mass in the fields of force and pressure as well.
2. Definition
Mass is defined as the mass of the iInternational pPrototype of the kilogram kept under
the custody of the International Bureau of Weights & Measures (BIPM) at Paris in
France. It is a right circular cylinder of height 39 mm and equal diameter. It is made of
single-phase alloy of platinum-iridium with 10% iridium by weight. Currently the
prototype kilogram is the last remaining artifact that forms part of the SI units. Work is
currently underway to redefine the kilogram in terms of an invariant of nature. Till then,
many cCountries have copies of the prototype that are regularly inter-compared with the
standard artifact at the BIPM. The SI unit of mass is known as the kilogram (kg).
3. Scope
This document covers the establishment of a mass metrology laboratory for calibration
of weights generally required by Industrial level laboratories and the industry.
Classes of Weights:
The OIML has defined certain classes of weights and given a brief description of each. In
summary, they are the following
Class E1 - Inter-comparison between international mass standards & calibration of class
E2 weights.
Class E2 - Typical laboratory standards to be used to calibrate class F1 weights
Class F1 - Used to calibrate class F2 weights & class 1 accuracy instruments
Class F2 - Used to calibrate class M1 & M2 weights & class 2 accuracy instruments
Class M1 - General work with class 2 accuracy weighing instruments
Class M2 - General work with class 3 accuracy weighing instruments
Class M3 - General work with class 3 & 4 accuracy weighing instruments
4. Equipment Required
4.a. Balances and Mass Comparators
Mass comparators and balances are used to inter-compare the various levels of mass
pieces and so the traceablity chain is maintained. Lower accuracy devices are typically
referred to as weighing instruments, and these range from tiny scales right through to
heavy vehicle weigh bridges. The laboratory needs to select the correct instruments to
calibrate the requirements from industry and then the class of mass pieces chosen to be
the laboratory standards. They need to be at least one class above the industry
requirements.
Normally all weights are made in compliance with the OIML International
Recommendation R111, which prescribes constructional requirements and specified
materials, tolerances, surface conditions, density and markings. The highest precision
weights, Classes E1 and E2, are solid stainless steel, with a prescribed density. These
have no weight markings as the marking would itself attract dirt. Lower grade weights
are usually adjustable and may be of materials other than stainless steel, including
chrome-plated brass, brass or painted cast iron. Except for the lowest grade of weights,
stainless steel is the preferred material because of its several advantages as given below:-
(i) Stability
(ii) Ability to be polished during manufacture
(iii) Density
Smaller weights may be of stainless steel, germanium, nickel, silver or aluminium.
Because of its density and softness, aluminium is only used for weights up to 10 mg. In
an ideal case a calibration laboratory should have a minimum of two sets of standards, to
ensure that there is no dependence on a single standard weight whose value may change
between calibrations without the knowledge of the laboratory.
For higher accuracy work, a simple one-to-one calibration is sufficient, with calibration
in groups using a restraint or check standard (usually 1, 10 or 100 level). When a large
number of low accuracy weights are calibrated, it may be necessary to have other low
grade weights to avoid wear on the laboratory's main standards
ClassM1- ClassM2-
NominalValue ClassE1 ClassE2 ClassF1 ClassF2 ClassM1 ClassM2 ClassM3
2 3
2 500
5 000 kg 25 000 80 000 250 000 500 000 800 000 1 600 000
000
1 000
2 000 kg 10 000 30 000 100 000 200 000 300 000 600 000
000
1 000 kg 1 600 5 000 16 000 50 000 100 000 160 000 300 000 500 000
500 kg 800 2 500 8 000 25 000 50 000 80 000 160 000 250 000
200 kg 300 1 000 3 000 10 000 20 000 30 000 60 000 100 000
100 kg 160 500 1 600 5 000 10 000 16 000 30 000 50 000
50 kg 25 80 250 800 2 500 5 000 8 000 16 000 25 000
20 kg 10 30 100 300 1 000 3 000 10 000
10 kg 5.0 16 50 160 500 1 600 5 000
5 kg 2.5 8.0 25 80 250 800 2 500
2 kg 1.0 3.0 10 30 100 300 1 000
1 kg 0.5 1.6 5.0 16 50 160 500
500 g 0.25 0.8 2.5 8.0 25 80 250
200 g 250 0.3 1.0 3.0 10 30 100
100 g 0.05 0.16 0.5 1.6 5.0 &bsp; 16 50
50 g 0.03 0.10 0.3 1.0 3.0 10 30
20 g 0.025 0.08 0.25 0.8 2.5 8.0 25
10 g 0.020 0.06 0.20 0.6 2.0 6.0 20
5g 0.016 0.05 0.16 0.5 1.6 5.0 16
2g 0.012 0.04 0.12 0.4 1.2 4.0 12
1g 0.010 0.03 0.10 0.3 1.0 3.0 10
500 mg 0.008 0.025 0.08 0.25 0.8 2.5
200 mg 0.006 0.020 0.06 0.20 0.6 2.0
100 mg 0.005 0.016 0.05 0.16 0.5 1.6
50 mg 0.004 0.012 0.04 0.12 0.4
20 mg 0.003 0.010 0.03 0.10 0.3
10 mg 0.003 0.008 0.025 0.08 0.25
5 mg 0.003 0.006 0.20 0.06 0.20
2 mg 0.003 0.006 0.20 0.06 0.20
1 mg 0.003 0.006 0.20 0.06 0.20
The nominal weight values in the table specify the smallest and largest weight permitted
in any class of R 111 and the maximum permissible errors and denominations shall not
be extrapolated to higher or lower values. For example, the smallest nominal value for a
weight in class M2 is 100 mg while the largest is 5 000 kg. A 50 mg weight would not be
accepted as an R 111 class M2 weight and instead should meet class M1 maximum
permissible errors and other requirements (e.g. shape or markings) for that class of
weight. Otherwise the weight cannot be described as complying with R 111.
Level of Relative
Temperature Air Pressure
Calibration humidity
(20 to 25)°C at a set point ± 1 °C
Class E1 and 40 to 60% ±
maximum rate of change of 10 Pa
E2 5% per 4 hour
temperature: 0.5 °C/hour
(20 to 25)°C at a set point ± 2 °C
Class F1 and 40 to 60% ±
maximum rate of change of 10 Pa
f2 10% per 4 hour
temperature: 1.0 °C/hour
Normal
Class M1, M2, (18 to 27)°C maximum rate of 40 to 60% ±
atmospheric
M3 change of temperature 2.0°C/hour 15% per hour
pressure
5.b. The instruments required to measure the barometric air pressure, air temperature and
relative humidity
Level of
Barometric pressure Temperature device RH
calibration
Class E1 and E2 ± 65 Pa (± 0.5 mmHg) ± 0.1 °C ±5%
Class F1 and F2 ± 135 Pa (± 1.0 mmHg) ± 0.5 °CC ± 10 %
The laborator y maintains documented uncertainty measurements
Class M1, M2, M3
results
6. Manpower required
7. Space required
The approximate area of about 90 sq meters may be adequate for housing the mass and
volume metrology laboratory
2.Volume Metrology
1. Introduction
2. Scope
3. Equipment required
4. Environmental conditions in the laboratory
5. Man power
1. Introduction
The uncertainty of measurement will vary depending upon the balance used, the purity of
the water, the ability to make accurate temperature measurements, the nominal value of
the volume standard being calibrated/tested and the ability to make adequately accurate
mass measurements.
There is a good book that covers in detail the various aspects of volume and capacity
measurements, titled - Comprehensive Volume and Capacity Measurements - ISBN 81-
224-1819-8, 9788122418194.
2. Scope
Facility for volume measurements and calibration of metallic measures .
3.Equipment required
For volume measurements by the gravimetric method, standard weights and balances are
needed. The working standard weights, balances and mass comparators from a standard
mass metrology laboratory are typically used until such time as the workload requires a
separate set just for this purpose.
5. Man power
Initially the manpower deployed for mass metrology may also be sufficient for
organizing the calibration of volume measures.
3.Pressure Metrology
1. Preamble
2. Pressure standards requirement
3. Scope
4. Items which can be calibrated
5. Instruments required for the laboratory
6. Space required
7. Environmental conditions required
8. Man power required
1. Preamble
In view of globalization and international competitiveness in trade and commerce and the
introduction of ISO 9000, the quality of products and services has emerged as the
forerunner of all activities in industries. Measurement and calibration play an important
role in fulfilling the requirements of industries to produce quality products. Measurement
is the technical basis for development of the economy and trade. Uniform and
internationally compatible measurements are beneficial in eliminating technical barriers
to trade and promoting international cooperation.The validity of precise and accurate
pressure measurements is essential in trade, efficiency, quality and safety. The role of
pressure measurements is now well established in many industries. These applications are
found in industries as diverse as nuclear, power, gas, fertilizer, pesticide, chemical,
petrochemical, biological, hot and cold forging of steel, pharmaceutical and drugs,
synthesis of super hard materials like diamond, optimization of domestic appliances like
pressure cookers and filling cooking gas cylinders, assessment of health like blood
pressure monitors, optical, aerospatial, defense, meteorological, automotive,
semiconductor, environmental, ventilation, filtration and process control in general.The
introduction of quality systems stipulates that all the critical instruments and apparatus
being employed for calibration and testing activities should be periodically checked,
calibrated and inter-compared against each other to establish and build up mutual
confidence and to estimate the uncertainty associated with the measurements. In order to
achieve the goals defined above, the new industrial pressure calibration laboratory should
be established, keeping in view the following technical requirements.
3. Scope
The proposal covers the measurement of pressure and calibration of pressure measuring
devices.
b. Accessories
New Technology
It should also be noted that there are some modern pressure controllers/calibrators
available for both hydraulic and pneumatic systems. These controllers allow the operator
to "dial up" the pressure required through an electronic controller and display unit. This
makes day-to-day calibrations much simpler at accuracies very similar or better than the
traditional working standards.
6. Space required
The approximate space or area required for the pressure calibration laboratory is
estimated to be about 90 sq meters, including laboratory space, storage and handling of
instruments received for calibration, and office space.
7. Environmental conditions required
The room temperature and humidity in the calibration laboratory should be controlled
within 23 ± 2° C and relative humidity within 50 ± 10 %, using air conditioners and
de/humidifiers. The barometric pressure in the laboratory should be recorded. The value
of local acceleration due to gravity (g) local should be measured/ known to the best
possible measurement uncertainty.
Man power:
The laboratory requires adequate managerial and technical personnel and resources to
maintain and upgrade national standards and provide calibration services to industry. All
the personnel involved in the calibration and testing work should be professionally
qualified and trained and experienced in the use and application of the instruments and
standards and the latest technology and measurement techniques in pressure metrology.
They should also be trained in evaluating the errors and measurement uncertainty. The
suggested qualifications are given below:
1. Preamble
2. Instruments and artifacts required to be calibrated
3. Instruments/Artifacts recommended for Length laboratory
4. Space required
5. Manpower required
1. Preamble
The current standard for length is based on the speed of light. By using frequency
stabilized lasers, a system of traceable length measurements has been developed. The
instruments are known as laser interferometers. There are various grades of
interferometers, with the highest being used in national research institutes, and many
others down the accuracy scale. There are also three-dimensional machines known as
coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).
However, the bulk of length and dimensional measurements are done using a vernier
caliper and/or a micrometer. Laboratory-type vernier calipers incorporate a main scale
and a sliding vernier scale which allow readings to the nearest 0.02 mm. This type of
vernier can be used to measure outer dimensions of objects using the main jaws, and the
inside dimensions using the smaller inverted jaws, and depth by using the stem.
The micrometer uses a screw gauge principle and is used to measure smaller dimensions
than the vernier calipers. They also have two scales and are able to measure to a
resolution of 0.001 mm. Both verniers and micrometers need special care when using
them in high precision applications, as it is easy to make mistakes.
Verniers and micrometers are calibrated using gauge (sometimes referred to as gage)
blocks and ring gauges, which, in turn, are calibrated by interferometers. There are many
other instruments involved in dimensional metrology (analogue and digital) all working
on basically the same systems but measuring other things, such as angle, screw threads
etc.
Critical to dimensional metrology is an absolutely flat surface to work on, as close to zero
vibration as possible and good temperature control. As usual, procedures play an
important part, as it is easy for two metrologists to get two different results even when
using the same equipment.
2. Instruments and artifacts required to be calibrated
Line standards
(a) Steel scale 0-1000 mm ±0.050 mm
(b) Glass scales 0-300 mm 0.01 mm
7. (c) Glass graticules 0-10 mm 0.003 mm
(d) Tape measures 0-50 m 0.100 mm
(e) Standard metre 1m 0.010 mm/ 0.005 mm
bars
8. Precision Levels All ranges Sensitivity: 0.2 " to 2 "
200 mm diameter
10. Roundness ±0.05 µm, 0.1 µm
component
4. Space required
The size of the laboratory will vary greatly, depending on the amount of work that it is
required to do and how many workstations it has. It is likely to vary from 45 m2 up to 90
m2
5. Manpower required
Please refer to the Introduction to the metrology section for more information
5.Thermometry
1. Preamble
2. Scope
3. User Industries requiring calibration of temperature measuring devices
1. Preamble
Temperature is the state, which determines the direction of flow of heat from one body to
another. In other words temperature is the measure of hotness or coldness of a given body
and the thermometer is the device to measure this. Temperature is not directly measurable
by comparison with a standard, as in the case of length or mass. We can infer the
temperature of a body by measuring
(i) length of mercury column in a capillary tube
(ii) the electric resistance of a platinium wire
(iii) the pressure of an ideal or non-ideal gas
(iv) the equilibrium pressure of a gas above a boiling liquid
(v) the thermoelectric emf between the dissimilar metals
(vi) the speed of a sound in a gas and
(vii) the magnetic susceptibility of a paramagnetic salt
The International Temperature Scale ITS-90 is the reference scale for the range of
temperature. The practical implementation of ITS-90 requires the ability to transfer the
scale from standard instruments to other secondary instruments either by comparison
calibration or by using fixed points.
2. Scope
Range: 0 °C to 1200 °C
Accuracy: ±0.5 ºC to 1 ºC
2.1(a). Items which need to be calibrated for most industrial needs, their range and
accuracy of temperature measurement:
Sl.
Item Range (mm) Accuracy
No.
-50 °C to 300
1. Liquid-in-glass thermometer ± 5 °C to 1 °C
°C
Industrial (Hg) mercury and
(i)
Alcohol glass thermometers
(ii) Low range thermocouples
Digital thermometers with -50 °C to
(iii)
thermocouple sensors or RTD 1200 °C
Dial gauge (analogue)
--50 °C to 300
(iv) thermometers with bi-metal
°C
sensors
--50 °C to 300
(v) Liquid calibration bath
°C
-50 °C to
2. Thermocouples R, S and K type
1600 °C
± 1 °C to 3 °C (Pt/Pt 50%
(i) Type S & R thermocouples -0 – 1600 °C
Rh and
(ii) Type K thermocouples -0 – 1200 °C Cr, Al alloys
-50 °C to
3. T, C Indicators
1200 °C
Resistance, Temperature -50 °C to 600
4.
devices RTDs °C
(a) Standards:
Approximate
Sl.
Item Range Resolution Quantity cost
No.
(Rs. in lakh)
Glass
1 --50°C to 20 °C 0.1 °C 1 0.02
thermometers
2 0°C to 25°C 0.05 °C 1 0.05
3 25°C to 50°C 0.05 °C 1 0.05
4 50°C to 75 °C 0.05 °C 1 0.05
5 75°C to 100 °C 0.05 °C 1 0.05
100°C to 200 °C in
6 0.02 °C 10 0.50
span of 10°C
100°C to 200 °C in
7 0.05 °C 4 0.12
span of 25°C
8 200°C to 300 °C in 0.1 °C 2 0.06
span of 50°C
Sl. ApproximateCost
Item Range Resolution Stability
No. (Rs. in lakh)
±0.005
1 Ice Point cell 0.000 °C -- 0.10
°C
2 Annealing Furnace 1200°C -- ±2 °C 10.00
High temperature 100°C to
3 -- ±0.5°C 16.00
tubular furnace 1200°C
61/2 Digit 0 to 50 0.1 µV
4 ±0.5°C 5.00
Voltmeter mV or 1 µV
2.2(b-3) Accessories required:
The BIPM Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM) has the responsibility for
the following two documents:
The JCGM-WG1 has recently completed its first supplement to the GUM and a revised
edition of the VIM, prepared by JCGM-WG2, are now both available on the BIPM
website.
We recommend that readers use these two documents as the definitive source for
uncertainty calculations and statements and for general metrology vocabulary.
The full copy of the GUM is available on the ISO website and a free copy of the VIM on
the BIPM website.
The definitions below are an extract from the VIM and are placed here for convenience.
1. Quantity
2. Measurement unit, unit of measurement, unit
3. Base unit
4. Derived unit
5. International System of Units SI
6. Quantity value, value of a quantity, value
7. Measurement
8. Metrology
9. Measurand
10. Measurement method, Method of measurement
11. Measurement procedure
12. Reference measurement procedure
13. Measurement result, result of measurement
14. Measured quantity value, measured value of a quantity, measured value
15. True quantity value, true value of a quantity , true value
16. Conventional quantity value, conventional value of a quantity, conventional value
17. Measurement accuracy, accuracy of measurement, accuracy
18. Measurement trueness, trueness of measurement, trueness
19. Measurement precision, precision
20. Measurement error, error of measurement , error
21. Systematic measurement error, systematic error of measurement , systematic error
22. Measurement bias, bias
23. Random measurement error, random error of measurement , random error
24. Repeatability condition of measurement, repeatability condition
25. Measurement repeatability, repeatability
26. Reproducibility condition of measurement , reproducibility condition
27. Measurement reproducibility, reproducibility
28. Measurement uncertainty, uncertainty of measurement , uncertainty
29. Type A evaluation of measurement uncertainty, Type A evaluation
30. Type B evaluation of measurement uncertainty, Type B evaluation
31. Standard measurement uncertainty, standard uncertainty of measurement, standard
uncertainty
32. Combined standard measurement uncertainty, combined standard uncertainty
33. Uncertainty budget
34. Expanded measurement uncertainty, expanded undertainty
35. Coverage factor
36. Calibration
37. Calibration hierarchy
38. Metrological traceability
39. Verification
40. Validation
41. Input quantity in a measurement model, input quantity
42. Output quantity in a measurement model, output quantity
43. Influence quantity
44. Correction
45. Measuring instrument
46. Measuring system
47. Indicating measuring instrument
48. Material measure
49. Measuring transducer
50. Sensor
51. Detector
52. Reference condition
53. Sensitivity
54. Discrimination threshold
55. Stability
56. Instrumental drift
57. Instrumental uncertainty
58. Maximum permissible error, limit of error
59. Measurement standard, etalon
60. Internal measurement standard
61. National measurement standard, national standard
62. Primary measurement standard, primary standard
63. Secondary measurement standard, secondary standard
64. Reference measurement standard, reference standard
65. Working measurement standard, working standard
66. Traveling measurement standard, traveling standard
1 Quantity
Property of a phenomenon , body, or substance, to which a number can be assigned with
respect to a reference.
It is a scalar quantity, defined and adopted by convention, with which any other quantity
of the same kind can be compared to express the ratio of the two quantities as a number.
3 Base unit
4 Derived unit
Coherent system of units based on the International System of Quantities, their names
and symbols, and a series of prefixes and their names and symbols, together with rules
for their use, adopted by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM). The
SI is founded on the seven base quantities of the ISO and the base units contained in the
following table.
7 Measurement
8 Metrology
9 Measurand
11 Measurement procedure
Measurement procedure accepted as providing measurement results fit for their intended
use in assessing measurement trueness quantity values obtained from other measurement
procedure for quantities of the same kind, or in characterizing reference materials
Set of quantity values being attributed to a measurand together with any other available
relevant information
a) A measurement generally provides information about the set of quantity values, such
that some may be more representative of the measurand than others.This may be
demonstrated in the form of a probability density function (PDF).
b) A measurement result is generally expressed as a single measured quantity value
and a measurement uncertainty. If the measurement uncertainty is considered to be
negligible for some purpose, the measurement result may be expressed as a
single measured quantity value. In many fields this is the common way of expressing
a measurement result.
Closeness of agreement between a measured quantity value and a true quantity value of
the measurand
Systematic measurement error or its estimate, with respect to a reference quantity value
Standard measurement uncertainty that is obtained from the measurement results of the
input quantities in measurement model
33 Uncertainty budget
Product of a combined standard measurement uncertainty and a factor larger than the
number one
Expanded measurement uncertainty is termed “overall uncertainty”
The term ‘factor’ in this definition refers to a coverage factor.
35 Coverage factor
36 Calibration
Operation that, under specified conditions, in a first step establishes a relation between
the quantity values with measurement uncertainties provided by measurement standards
and corresponding indications with associated measurement uncertainties and, in a
second step, uses this information to establish a relation for obtaining a measurement
result from an indication
37 Calibration hierarchy
38 Metrological traceability
Property of measurement result whereby the result can be related to a stated reference
through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the
measurement uncertainty
39 Verification
Provision of objective evidence that a given item fulfils specified requirements, taking
any measurement uncertainty into consideration
Examples
Confirmation that a given reference material as claimed is homogeneous for the quantity
and measurement procedure concerned , down to test portion having a mass of 10 mg
Confirmation that stated performance properties or legal requirements of a measuring
system are achieved.
40 Validation
Verification, where the specified requirements are adequate for a stated use
Example
A measurement procedure, ordinarily used for the measurement of nitrogen concentration
in water may be validated also for the measurement of nitrogen concentration in human
serum.
Quantity that must be measured, or a quantity, the value of which can be otherwise
obtained in order to calculate a measured quantity value of a measurand
Example
When the length of a rod is being measured, temperature, length, and the linear thermal
expansion coefficient of the rod are input quantities in a measurement model.
Quantity, that the measured value of which is calculated using the values of input
quantities in a measurement model
43 Influence quantity
Quantity that, in a direct measurement, does not affect the quantity that is actually
measured, but affects the relation between the indication and the measurement result
44 Correction
45 Measuring instrument
46 Measuring system
Set of one or more measuring instruments and often other devices, including any reagent
and supply, assembled and adapted to give measured quantity values within specified
intervals for quantities of specified kinds ( a measuring system may consist of only one
measuring instrument)
Measuring instrument providing an output signal carrying information about the value
of the quantity being measured
For example
Ammeter, micrometer , thermometer, electronic balance
48 Material measure
49 Measuring transducer
50 Sensor
Element of a measuring system that is directly affected by the phenomenon, body, or
substance carrying the quantity to be measured
Examples
a) Sensing coil of a platinum resistance thermometer
b) rotor of turbine flow meter
c) Bourden tube of a pressure gauge
d) Float of a level-measuring instrument
e) Photocell of a spectrometer
f) Thermotropic liquid crystal which changes color as a function of temperature
51 Detector
52 Reference condition
53 Sensitivity
Quotient of the change in the indication and the corresponding change in the value of
the quantity being measured
54 Discrimination threshold
Largest change in the value of a quantity being measured that causes no detectable
change in the corresponding indication
55 Stability
56 Instrumental drift
57 Instrumental uncertainty
Extreme value of the measurement error, with respect to a known reference quantity
value, permitted by specifications or regulations for a given measurement, measuring
instrument, or measuring system
Realization of the definition of a given quantity, with stated quantity value and
measurement uncertainty, used as a reference
Example
a) 1 kg mass standard
b) 100 ohm standard resistor
c) Cesium frequency standard
d) Reference material
Measurement standard whose quantity value and measurement uncertainty are assigned
though calibration with respect to a primary measurement standard for a quantity of the
same kind
1. Laboratory rooms
2. Suggested environmental conditions
3. General Precautions
4. Electric Power and Compressed Air
5. Laboratory Accessories and Furniture
On the basis of the findings and suggestion to procure the various measuring instruments
and standards for
1. Laboratory rooms
Sl. Temperat-
Condition Mass Volume Length Pressure
No. ure
1 Temperature 23 ± 0.5 23 ± 0.5 23 ± 0.5 23 ± 0.5 23 ± 0.5
Max per day : per day : per day : per day : per day :
2 Temperature 1°C per 1°C per 0.5°C per 1°C per 1°C per
change hour : 0.5°C hour : 0.5°C hour : 0.2°C hour : 0.5°C hour : 0.5°C
Temperature
3 1°C 1°C 1°C 1°C 1°C
gradient
Uncertainty
in
4 measurement ± 0.1C ± 0.1C ± 0.1C ± 0.1C ± 0.1C
of
temperature
0.3 to 1.0 0.3 to 1.0 0.3 to 1.0 0.3 to 1.0 0.3 to 1.0
Permissible µm 0.0035 µm 0.0035 µm 0.0035 µm 0.0035 µm 0.0035
5 ground mm/s mm/s mm/s mm/s mm/s
vibration velocity velocity velocity velocity velocity
over any 1 over any 1 over any 1 over any 1 over any 1
hour0.0025 hour0.0025 hour0.0025 hour0.0025 hour0.0025
mm/s mm/s mm/s mm/s mm/s
velocity velocity velocity velocity velocity
over any 8 over any 8 over any 8 over any 8 over any 8
hour hour hour hour hour
6 Humidity 50 ± 5 % 50 ± 5 % 50 ± 5 % 50 ± 5 % 50 ± 5 %
better than better than better than better than better than
7 Cleanliness Class Class Class Class Class
100000 100000 100000 100000 100000
Differential
8 > 10 Pa > 10 Pa > 10 Pa > 10 Pa > 10 Pa
air pressure
9 Air velocity ~ 0.2m/sec ~ 0.2m/sec ~ 0.2m/sec ~ 0.2m/sec ~ 0.2m/sec
~ 400 lux ~ 400 lux ~ 400 lux ~ 400 lux ~ 400 lux
10 Illumination (400 ± 50 (400 ± 50 (400 ± 50 (400 ± 50 (400 ± 50
lux lux lux lux lux
11 Noise level < 45 dBA < 45 dBA < 45 dBA < 45 dBA < 45 dBA
12 Head rooml 3.5 to 4 m 3.5 to 4 m 3.5 to 4 m 3.5 to 4 m 3.5 to 4 m
Power ± 10% ± 10% ± 10% ± 10% ± 10%
13
supply regulated regulated regulated regulated regulated
Frequency
14 ± 3% ± 3% ± 3% ± 3% ± 3%
fluctuation
3. General Precautions
Measures are needed for vibrational insulation and influences from temperature
fluctuations. Separate air-conditioning system may be installed in all the measuring
rooms. Alternately the location of the laboratories may be organized/restructured in such
a way so that a composite air-conditioning system with separate Air Handling Units
(AHUs) exhausting the air at different temperatures for the different parameters could be
installed.
Additional insulation of the walls, roof and flooring of rooms is desired.
Shielding of the rooms against temperature radiation form the rooms walls, windows by
means of an enclosure of the instruments, which could be made from simple insulating
and transportable wall elements. This chamber simultaneous serves the purpose of
shielding the instruments from direct air current when doors are open.
The air stream from the air-conditioning system may be directed from the ceiling to the
floor (or as advised by air-conditioning expert)
Cold light sources with filters against thermal and infrared radiation may be used to
minimize the heating by the luminaries.
Lights/luminaries may be located in the areas close to the outgoing air outlets.
All major instruments generating large heat may be equipped with the hot air exhaust
pipe.
Lights in the measuring room should be just sufficient to provide prescribed illumination
and should not be switched on and switched off in order to guarantee a maximum
consistency of room's climate
Installation of easy to service dust filters in the air-conditioning system and generating of
a slight over pressure in the measuring rooms is desirable
Automatic shoe cleaning machine, and using overshoes, and dust adhesive mats at the
entry door may also be installed. Entry to the measuring rooms should be restricted.
Measuring rooms should have air-locks at the entry door
Preparation of job for calibration (measurement, e.g. dispatching, cleaning etc. should be
done outside the measuring rooms/anterooms maintained at a reasonably comfort
temperature (say 0 to +2°C over and above the temperature in the measuring room)
Supply of electric power to measuring rooms and to the measuring instruments should
be made through a separate feeder line and processing units, in order to avoid voltage
drops and voltage surges. Additionally, a voltage conditioner/uninterrupted power supply
system is recommended.
A separate air compressor with appropriate ratings and all the required accessories to
separate, water, dust may be installed so that dry, clean and controlled pressure air can be
supplied to the pneumatic systems of the instruments (if there are any in the measuring
rooms). However a dedicated air supply line may be provided in each measuring rooms
for air cleaning.
1. Scope
2. Purpose
3. Calibration Procedure
4. Methodology
5. Staff Authorized to Perform Calibration
6. Location
7. Calibration Certificate
8. List of Supporting Documents
1. Scope
i) 10 µm
ii) 2 µm
iii) 1 µm
iii) 2 µm
3.Calibration Procedure
3.1 Principle
Accuracy is determined by comparison with calibrated slip gauges and wires. Flatness
and parallelism of anvils is determined by calibrated optical flats (flatness l/10).
Visual inspection
Ratchet functioning
Zero error
Repeatability
Flatness and parallelism of anvils
Accuracy of scale
The micrometer anvil, slip gauges (mike-check set), standard wires and optical flat are
degreased, cleaned with benzene and lint free cloth and left on the surface plate for about
two hours so that the temperature of all these is nearly the same.
Table 2
Temperature (controlled) : 20 ± 2 °C
Relative Humidity (uncontrolled) : 50 ± 10%
4. Methodology
Ratchet function
Zero error
(scratch marks, dents etc.)
Status of markings of linear and circular scales
Ratchet functioning is checked by moving the ratchet and seeing that it does so smoothly. Zero
check is done by moving the movable anvil close to the fixed anvil in contact position and seeing
that zero reading is correct or, if not so, zero error is noted (setting of zero is recommended).
The micrometer having smooth wratchet function lapped & flat anvils, free of scratches, dents
and chipped edges can be calibrated by this calibration procedure.
The micrometer with only slightly damaged anvils can also be calibrated.
In such cases (ii) The micrometer can be calibrated by using standard wires instead of slip gauges
and optical flat.
Any malfunctioning of wratchet and too much visual damage of anvils if any.
After receiving the micrometer, clean it with benzene/methane or any other cleaning reagent
which do not leave any residue. Keep the micrometer for temperature stabilization. Standard slip
gauges and optical flat which are used for the calibration of micrometer are also cleaned and kept
for temperature stabilization.
The zero error of micrometer is checked and if zero error is observed the same may be adjusted
by adjusting the barrel to zero of the thimble if possible, zero error should be indicated in the
calibration results and compensated for in the final report.
The error in scale is determined by measuring the slips of the following sizes:
2.5, 5.1, 7.7, 10.3, 12.9, 15.0, 20.0, 17.6, 20.2, 22.8 and 25 mm (IS 2967:1983)
(b) Flatness
The flatness error is checked by keeping the optical flat on each anvil under monochromatic light.
A number of coloured interference fringes will be seen on their surfaces. The flat is adjusted in
such a way so that minimum number of bands are obtained. For the specified tolerance on
faltness, maximum four bands should be formed .Flatness is determined as n x l/2, where n is
number of bands and l is the wavelength of the light used.
© Parallelism
Parallelism error between two anvils is tested by gripping optical parallels of three different
thickness covering different positions of circular scale.
In each case the total number of fringes appearing on both anvils are counted together. Out of
three cases, the parallelism assessment is done on the basis of maximum number of fringes.
The flat is placed between the measuring faces and adjusted in a way so that number of
interference bands visible on one face are minimum. The number of bands on other face are
counted which in general should not exceed 8, for 0-25 mm. The thickness of optical flats
recommended are 12.5, 12.625, 12.750 and 12.875 mm.
Where ‘N’ is the maximum number of fringes appearing on both anvils and λ is the wavelength of
light used.
(e) The temperature before starting the calibration is recorded on data sheet.
(f) The slip gauges are measured one by one in increasing order and then in the corresponding
readings of micrometer (estimated to 1/5th division of circular scale are recorded on the data
sheet. The same procedure is followed in the decreasing order and readings of micrometer are
recorded on the data sheet. This forms one set of measurement. Two such sets of measurements
are taken making total of four observations on each slip gauge.
DATA SHEET
Observations:
Beginning 25.2 °C
1. Room temperature……………………………. .. Mean 24.6 °C
End 24.0 °C
2. Zero error…………………………………………………………………..Nil
3. Optical flat……………………………………………. 1 fringe on each anvil.
4. Ten readings against 12.9 mm slip gauge
12.9004
12.9000
12.8998
12.8998
12.9000
12.9006
12.9000
12.9000
12.9002
12.9000
Note:-
Reading upto 4 decimal is observed by eye estimation.
5. Readings with 10 slip gauges of size as specified in IS:2967-1983 as indicated in
table below are observed in increasing and decreasing order.
Nominal size of Reading of micrometer Mean Error
slip gauge Increasing Decreasing (mm) (mm)
(mm) order (mm) order (mm)
2.5 2.5000 2.4992 2.4996 -0.4
5.1 5.1006 5.0998 5.1004 +0.4
7.7 7.7002 7.7006 7.7004 +0.4
10.3 10.2994 10.2994 10.2994 -0.6
12.9 12.8998 12.8990 12.8994 -0.6
15.0 15.0010 15.0004 15.0007 +0.7
17.6 17.6006 17.6008 17.6007 +0.7
20.2 20.1992 20.1990 20.1991 -0.9
22.8 22.8008 22.8008 22.8008 +0.8
25.0 25.0000 25.0004 25.0002 +0.2
( mm)
(i)Error due to deviation of mean calibration temperature from 20ºC on account of different
coefficients of linear expansions (α) of slip gauges and micrometer for the entire range
(ii) Error due to variation in temperature (± 0.6 ºC) for the entire range
as reported in the
calibration certificate of slip gauges
(v)Error due to difference of temperature (2 ºC) between slip gauge and micrometer for the entire
range,
Results of calibration:
Maximum error in the entire range of micrometer
Uncertainty of measurement at 95% confidence level
4.5 Traceability
Slip gauges used for calibration of micrometer are traceable to National Standard
Mike check slip gauge set and optical flats are calibrated periodically. (Every two years) Against
wavelength of light recommended for the realization of flatness parallelism and length of gauge
blocks using interferometric method Or by comparison against interferometric calibrated slip
gauges using gauge block comparator.
4.6 Precautions
The micrometer and slip gauges and other aids should be thoroughly cleaned and wiped off with
silk/linen cloth
The system should be thermally soaked for sufficient time to ensure equalization of temperature
Avoid rapid movement of wratchet while measuring the slip gauges
Slip gauges and optical flat should be handled carefully to avoid scratches on these
6. Location
7. Calibration Certificate
The following links will provide the layout designs for a metrology lab,
10.ElectricalMetrology
This section has been limited to what is commonly known as DCLF, which stands
for dc to low frequency (≤ = 1MHz) electrical metrology and excludes the more
specialist and complicated sections that use higher frequencies·
In turn, the users then maintain a group of zener references and, by periodic inter-
comparison of them, maintain their laboratory standard for dc voltage. Some
laboratories prefer to use the absolute value of one of the zeners, while most use
the mean value of the group of zeners. If a laboratory wants to improve its dc
capability, it simply increases the number of zener references in the group·
However the zener references only have an output voltage fixed at a nominal 10
Vdc, and they need to be treated well and not loaded with low impedance
measuring devices. This means that, in most cases, the zener references are used to
transfer the 10 Vdc standard into a more robust electrical multifunction calibrator
which will then source any voltage (ac or dc) from zero up to approximately 1100
V. These calibrators have a one-year specification of 3.5 ppm on their basic Vdc
function·
b
Resistance capability, at this level, is maintained by having a series of standard
resistors. In some very high-accuracy cases, special standard resistors are placed in
a stirred oil bath, but the more modern "air resistors" are quite stable enough at <3
ppm per year. One or two of the set (1, 10, 100, 1k, 10k, 100k, 1M & 10MΩ ) are
then sent to a high-level laboratory once a year to import traceability, and the
imported value is compared against the rest of the set in the laboratory, by inter-
comparison. Once again, the standard resistors are of a fixed value and their value
is also transferred into a multifunction calibrator to allow general high-level
calibration over a wide range·
Following down the calibration chain, there is another step before the general
purpose test equipment level is reached. For example, a simple 3½ digit
multimeter used by the thousands in industry is difficult (almost impossible) to
calibrate using only a multifunction calibrator because the multifunction calibrator
is not designed to do this level of work. Even though the multifunction calibrator
is very accurate, it lacks the range and additional functions required by the typical
multimeter, such as 20 amps, thermocouple simulation, capacitance, frequency etc.
To calibrate all of these functions on a DMM, a multi-product calibrator is used·
The multi-product calibrator has a Vdc specification of about 12 ppm per year and
is thus suitable for calibrating most DMMs up to 6½ digits, as well as many of the
other lower level calibrators, DMMs, panel meters etc. typically seen in industry·
There are many countries that simply use a multi-product calibrator with a few
accessories as their national standard and, invariably, even the highest-level
laboratory requires the lower level equipment to be able to perform their tasks
adequately. So the decision about what to install is usually based from the bottom
up, starting with a multi-product calibrator and then, if the market requires the
laboratory to calibrate other laboratory's multi-product calibrators, installing a
multifunction calibrator with a few accessories. In limited cases, the national
laboratory will need to go to fixed values such as zener references and standard
resistors and, very rarely, a Josephson junction system· The tables below show
how traceability is derived and the typical equipment and workload associated
with each level of laboratory. Do not be misled by the terminology used that a
national laboratory has to be a primary level laboratory. The most important issue
is that the national laboratory is capable of producing traceable calibration at the
level required by its market, with competence and efficiency·
Laboratory Level Typical Workload
Lab standards
2 x Reference standards (8 zener reference cells)
1 x External battery and charger (required for inter-comparison journeys)
1 x Transit case (to hold one zener and one ext battery for inter-comparison)
1 x Set standard resistors (1, 10, 100, 1k, 10k, 100k, 1M & 10MΩ )
1 x Transit case (to hold two/three standard resistors for inter-comparison)
High-level station
1 x Reference DMM (8½) with Ratio function
1 x Multifunction calibrator