In this article we will try to compactly analyze a whole set of topics: metrology, standardization associated with it, Russian state metrological centers, and also measuring instruments — their characteristics, types, classification and use. Let's start with the most general introductory topic - science, called metrology.
Metrology: definitions, goals, laws
Metrology, measurements, measuring instruments are interconnected concepts. Metrology (dr. Greek μέτρον + λόγος - "measure" + "science") is the science of measures and weights, namely, measurement, its methods and means to help ensure the unity and accuracy of measurements.
The fundamentals of metrology imply the following goals and objectives:
- development of a unified theory of measurements;
- the formation of a number of systems of units of physical quantities ;
- development and subsequent standardization of measuring instruments and methods, methods for determining their accuracy, striving for uniformity and unification;
- development of clear systems of standards, measurement samples, which are based on physical constants;
- the study of a system of measures and weights in historical retrospective.
There are three main laws of metrology:
- Any dimension is a comparison.
- No measurement is possible without a priori data.
- The results of any measurement without rounding the values are just a random variable.
Metrology sections
Science is divided into several components:
- Theoretical. The fundamentals of metrology are based on theory. This section studies the most common problems of quantitative measurements, and also directly develops theoretical dogmas.
- Legislative. Social science that defines the mandatory legal and technical conditions for the use of units, methods and means of measurement.
- Applied. The experimental, practical section of metrology, introducing the development of the theoretical component into life, as well as dealing with metrological support.
- Historical. It studies the units of measurement of the past, their progression in time, determines their names, as well as the relationship with the standards of measures and weights of the present.
- Specialized directions. This includes “special” metrology - medical, chemical, aviation, biological (biometrics).
Standardization in metrology
Metrology and standardization are closely related. Standardization in this aspect is the general and particular rules of metrological support that accompanies the production process. The objects of the discipline will be everything related to the product: regulatory documents with quality requirements, tolerance standards, as well as methods for achieving a reference result. At the same time, the developed standards can be applied not only at a particular enterprise, but also become generally useful.
The objectives of standardization in metrology are as follows:
- Determination of the main characteristics of high-quality reference products, first of all, components and source material are standardized for this.
- The development of certain criteria for the quality of the resulting product, while the means of metrological control are determined.
- The desire for uniformity of products.
- Creating a system of standards, ensuring the unity of all measurements in the enterprise.
Metrology and standardization operate on two main documents:
- A standard is a normative and technological act with certain norms, rules and requirements for production and the finished product. The current standard is approved by an authorized organization.
- TU (technical conditions) - a series of rules, norms and requirements for a specific type of product.
Scale of standardization in metrology:
- International. International centers of standardization and metrology are created by the forces of several states, united by trade, common scientific developments, building a joint defense, etc.
- State. The standardization in metrology is carried out by state authorities, which also build prospects for its development.
- National. Again, the state scale, but without the direct intervention of power structures.
The main Russian center for standardization and metrology is the GSS (state standardization system). This complex combines all the developed requirements into a single whole, helps to standardize the production and products of all domestic plants and combines.
State centers of metrology and certification
According to the Federal Law "On ensuring the uniformity of measurements" at the state level, the State Standard of the Russian Federation manages activities to ensure the unification of measurements. He is also responsible for the HMS - the state metrological service. It includes the following components:
- Departments of the central apparatus of Gosstandart of the Russian Federation are responsible for planning, managing and monitoring the uniformity of measurements at the state intersectoral level.
- GNMC (state scientific metrological centers) - are responsible for the development, storage and application of standard standards, as well as for the preparation of regulatory documentation that ensures the uniformity of measurements.
- HMS units of the scale of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation - implementation of metrological control in specific territories.
Centers of standards in the Russian Federation
The main center of state metrology is VNIIMS - the All-Russian Research Institute of Metrological Service. He carries out scientific and methodological management of all metrological services, coordinates their activities, and also develops the most diverse (economic, organizational, scientific) fundamentals of metrological support.
In addition to VNIIMS, important centers of standards in the Russian Federation will also be:
- VNIIM. Almost all the standards of the World System of Weights and Measures are created and stored here, excluding samples of frequency and time units. More than 50% of all Russian state standards are concentrated at the institute.
- VNIIFTRI. In addition to the time standard, this institute also has a sample of magnetic, radio engineering quantities, units of frequency, hardness, pressure, ionizing radiation, low temperatures, etc.
- VNIIOFI. Measurements of various parameters of lasers, medical indicators, spectrometry, optical values, etc.
- SNIM. Standards of electrical, magnetic, radio engineering quantities, etc.
Activities of metrology centers
The main vector of the HMS is to ensure the unity of all dimensions in the state. Also, she shares responsibility for the metrological support of measurements in Russia, state control in the field of metrology. Directions of work of the HMS is also:
- creation of standards, state and secondary;
- the formation of systems for broadcasting or transmitting the parameters of units of FB workers SI;
- state supervision of the manufacture / use / condition / repair of measurement systems;
- metrological examination of various products;
- methodological support of subordinate metrological services.
Rosstandart functions
Rosstandart and metrology - this institution performs the following functions:
- Coordination of work on ensuring the uniformity of measurements.
- Development of rules for the creation, storage, approval and operation of standards of quantities.
- Metrological state supervision.
- Management of the HMS and other services responsible for the uniformity of measurements.
- Approval of standards and normative acts ensuring the uniformity of measurements.
- Recognition of technical devices as measuring instruments.
- Development and approval of measurement methods.
- Accreditation of centers experiencing SI.
- Type approval SI.
- Maintaining the SI State Register.
- Approval of SI lists to be verified.
- Development of a licensing process for individuals and legal entities manufacturing, repairing, selling or renting SI.
- Planning and organization of various metrological activities, etc.
SI is ...
Let's move closer to metrology and measurements. Measuring instruments (SI) are the technical devices by which measurements are taken. It is characterized by the fact that it reproduces or stores in itself the unit of measurement of a physical quantity.
Federal Law of the Russian Federation No. 102 defines SI as a means, one of the purposes of which is measurement. Only a federal agency for technical regulation and metrology can attribute a device to measuring instruments in our country.
SI classification
Here are the most common classifications of measuring instruments in metrology and measurements:
- By measuring parameters to determine:
- pressure
- temperature
- quantity;
- level;
- solution concentration, etc.
- By the significance of the measured:
- fixed assets;
- auxiliary means.
- By SI standardization:
- standardized;
- not related to standardized.
- According to the situation in the verification scheme:
- By automation level:
- hand held;
- automated;
- automatic.
- For technical use:
- measure of physical quantity - SI, reproducing or storing a value of one / several sizes;
- measuring device - SI, with which you can find out the value of the measured in a certain range;
- measuring transducer - SI, which converts one measured quantity into another;
- measuring installation - a complex that combines several measuring transducers, devices or measures, which is located in a specific location;
- measuring system - a complex that combines several measures, instruments, installations and transducers, capable of taking measurements in different parts of the object;
- measuring and computing complex - a system that combines several SIs, computers, designed to solve one or more complex measurement tasks.
Measurements: types and methods
Measurement is called finding the value of the desired value empirically by means of SI. There are two main methods - direct assessment and comparison with a measure. The latter is further subdivided into the differential, zero, method of coincidence and opposition. Relatively used SI distinguish organoleptic, heuristic, expert and instrumental method.
Speaking of metrology and measurements, we present a classification of the types of the latter:
- According to the characteristic of accuracy: equal and unequal. Or maximum accuracy, test and technical.
- By the method of obtaining data: contact and non-contact.
- By the number of measurements: single and multiple.
- By type of change in the measured value: static and dynamic.
- By destination: metrological and technical.
- By variety of presentation of the result: relative and absolute.
- By methods for obtaining effective data: direct, indirect, aggregate and joint.
SI applications
In conclusion of the topic "Metrology, measurements, measuring instruments" we denote the scope of SI, dictated by the Federal Law No. 102:
- environmental protection;
- occupational Safety and Health;
- state control;
- areas of activity in the defense complex;
- hydrometeorology;
- financial, tax, customs, banking operations;
- sport;
- road safety;
- veterinary medicine;
- judicial system;
- telecommunication, post office;
- conformity assessment;
- the medicine;
- production control;
- geography, geodesy;
- product packaging;
- trade;
- areas of nuclear energy.
Standards and metrology are of paramount importance for both scientific and experimental activities, and for all spheres of society. If without standardization in metrology it is difficult to imagine production, then measuring instruments all the more have become an integral part of human life.