Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 107 Mathematical Models for Evaluating the Measurement Uncertainty of Analogue AC Ammeters and Voltmeters Dorin ŢICUDEAN, Ioan G. TÂRNOVAN and Gheorghe TODORAN Abstract: In this article, are presented shortly the analogue AC ammeter and voltmeter, the calibration method of this measuring apparatus and their admissible errors expression. It is presented also the mathematical model for evaluating and expressing the measurement uncertainty and the importance of this parameter for the quality of metrological measurements. Keywords: analogue ammeter and voltmeter, admissible error, measurement uncertainty 1. Introduction An analogue instrument is defined as a measuring instrument whose output or display (readout) is a continuous function of the measurand or the input. 2. Calibration of AC analogue ammeter and voltmeter The ammeter is used to measure the electric current flowing through an electric circuit, and the voltmeter is used to measure the electric voltage across two terminals of an electric circuit. A calibration means a set of operations performed in order to determine the relationship between the values displayed by a measuring instrument, a measuring system, or the values represented by a material or a reference material, and the corresponding values realized using standards. The calibration of an AC analogue ammeter and voltmeter consists in: - verifying of technical conditions regarding the construction and the operation of the instrument; - verifying of metrological conditions. The verification of the technical conditions regarding the construction consists in: - verifying the overall status of the instruments (inscriptions, general cleanness, etc.); - verifying the state of graduated scale, pointer, dial, terminals, and protective glass of the case. The verification of the technical conditions regarding the operation refers to: - the panel used for calibration - the friction associated with the moving coil - the settling time of the pointer - the mechanical resonance - the residual indication The calibration of the analogue ammeter and voltmeter is performed under reference and repeatable conditions. The intrinsic error represents the error of a measuring instrument under reference condition. The errors of indication determined under reference conditions must not exceed the permissible errors for any indication within the measuring range under the following conditions: © 2008 – Mediamira Science Publisher. All rights reserved. ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA 108 - the thermal balance between the instrument and the environment is set at the reference temperature the mechanical zero positioning of the pointer is done the instrument has been connected into a circuit through which 80%...100% of the current is flowing, for a period of time between half an hour to one hour, depending on the accuracy class of the instrument. The standard used for the calibration of the instrument must meet the following conditions: - it is stable - it operates within the current and frequency range limits that are necessary for the calibration - for each value of the measurand used to calibration the analogue ammeter and voltmeter, the standard must have a permissible error that is at least five time lower than that of the instrument to be calibrated. An instrument with permissible errors that are up to three times lower than those of the instrument to be calibrated when the values of the current indicated by the standard will be corrected (using the correction of the standard). The calibration is done for all the marks of the graduated scale, typically using the lowest measuring range and only for 3...5 scale marks, uniformly distributed, for the other measuring ranges. The intrinsic error is computed using the expression: I −I εR(I) = i a ×100 [%] [for ammeter] (1.1) Ic εR(V) = Vi − Va ×100 [%] [for voltmeter] Vc (1.2) where: Ii (Vi) – value of the current (voltage) indicated by the ammeter (voltmeter) Ia (Va) – value indicated by the standard corresponding to the value of the current Ii (voltage Vi) when the current (voltage) is increasing (decreasing) Ic (Vc) – fiducial value, which can be, for example, the upper limit of the measuring range or another clearly stated value. The permissible errors of the measuring instrument are expressed in terms of relative errors (in percentages of a conventionally true value): Ε εT(I) = + ×100 [%] [for ammeter] (2.1) Ic εT(V) = + Ε ×100 [%] [for voltmeter] (2.2) Vc where: εT – permissible relative error Ε – module of the absolute permissible Ic error (Vc) – fiducial specifications) value (set by 3. Data processing and the uncertainty budget For the calibration of an analogue AC ammeter and voltmeter measurements are made for each calibration point under repeatability conditions using: - same measurement method - same operator - same measuring instrument , operated under the same conditions - same location - repeated measurements over a short time interval The mathematical model used to determine the error is represented by the equation: Ammeter (Ix): Ix = IE + δIE + δIET + δIED + δIR + δIZ + δIC + δIH + δIXT (3.1) Voltmeter (Vx): Vx = VE + δVE + δVET + δVED + δVR + δVZ + δVC + δVH + δVXT (3.2) Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 where: ►Ix (Vx) – the reading of the analogue ammeter (voltmeter) to be calibrated ►IE (VE) – the mean value of the n values of the current (voltage) indicated by the standard ammeter (voltmeter) n IE = ∑I i =1 i [for ammeter] (4.1) n n ∑V i =1 i [for voltmeter] (4.2) n The uncertainty associated to IE[VE] is u(IE) [u(VE)], and his expressions are: VE = n u(IE) = ∑(I i =1 − IE ) i n u(VE) = [for ammeter] (5.1) n × I E n × I max + 100 = n × ( I E + Imax ) u(δIED) = = 100 2 3 2 3 200 3 Dmax1 [for voltmeter] (5.2) The uncertainty associated to δIE (δVE) is u(δIE) [u(δVE)], and is given in the calibration certificate. ►δIET (δVET) – the correction applied to IE (VE), due to the deviation of the ambient temperature from the reference temperature (as the case may be) δIET = (T – To) [for ammeter] (6.1) δVET = (T – To) [for voltmeter] (6.2) The uncertainty associated to δIET [δVET] is u(δIET) [u(δVET)], and his expressions are: α1 2 3 α1 2 3 n × VE n × Vmax + 100 = n × (VE + Vmax ) u(δVED)= = 100 2 3 2 3 200 3 DmaxV [for voltmeter] (8.2) ►δIE (δVE) – the correction applied to IE (VE), as given in the calibration certificate u(δVET) = The uncertainty associated to δIED (δVED) is u(δIED) [u(δVED)], and is estimated based on the history of the previous calibrations of the standard. In case that there are insufficient data or no data regarding the history of the standard, the uncertainty is estimated based on the specification from the technical manual of the standard. 2 E n ( n − 1) u(δIET) = ►δIED (δVED) – the correction applied to IE (VE), due to the drift of the standard, which is determined based on the history of the standard [for ammeter] (8.1) ∑ (V − V ) i =1 where CET - temperature coefficient. 2 n ( n − 1) i 109 = = CET × (T − T0 ) 2 3 [for ammeter] (7.1) CET × (T − T0 ) 2 3 [for voltmeter] (7.2) where: Imax (Vmax) – the upper limit of the measuring range - current (voltage) Dmax - drift coefficient based on the value of the Imax (Vmax) and IE (VE) n - number of the value measuring range ►δIR (δVR) – the correction applied to Ix (Vx), due to the zero indication of the analogue ammeter (voltmeter) to be calibrated The uncertainty associated to δIR (δVR) is u(δIR) [u(δVR)], and his expressions are: u(δIR) = α I 2 3 [for ammeter] (9.1) u(δVR) = αV 2 3 [for voltmeter] (9.2) where αI, αV - can be estimated: 0,1 division ►δIZ (δVZ) – the correction applied to IX (VX), due to zero indication of the analogue ammeter (voltmeter) to be calibrated The uncertainty associated to δIZ (δVZ) is u(δIZ) [u(δVZ)], and his expressions are: u(δIZ) = Z I 2 3 [for ammeter] (10.1) 110 u(δVZ) = ZV 2 3 ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA [for voltmeter] (10.2) where ZI (ZV) – can be estimated: 0,1 division ►δIC (δVC) – the correction applied to IX (VX), due to the reading error of the operator The uncertainty associated to δIC (δVC) is u(δIC) [u(δVC)], is given by: u(δIC) = CI 2 3 [for ammeter] (11.1) u(δVC) = CV 2 3 [for voltmeter] (11.2) where CI (CV) – can be estimated: 0,1 division ►δIH (δVH) – the correction applied to IX (VX), due to the hysterezis of the instrument to be calibrated H(I1) = I X 1 − I Egrow ; H(I2) = I X 2 − I Edim [for ammeter] (12.1) H(V1) = VX 1 − VEgrow ; H(V2) = VX 2 − VEdim [for voltmeter] (12.2) and 1 H(I) = [ H(I1) + H(I2) ] 2 [for ammeter] (13.1) 1 H(V) = [ H(V1) + H(V2) ] 2 [for voltmeter] (13.2) The uncertainty associated to δIH (δVH) is u(δIH) [u(δVH)], is given by: u(δIH) = H I 2 3 [for ammeter] (14.1) u(δVH) = HV 2 3 [for voltmeter] (14.2) ►δIXT (δVXT) – the correction applied to IX (VX), due to the deviation of the ambient temperature from the reference temperature (as the case may be) δIXT = (T – To) [for ammeter] (15.1) δVXT = (T – To) [for voltmeter] (15.2) The uncertainty associated to δIXT (δVXT) is u(δIXT) [u(δVXT)], and his expressions are: u(δIXT) = u(δVXT) = where CXT α2 2 3 α2 2 3 = = C XT × (T − T0 ) 2 3 [for ammeter] (16.1) C XT × (T − T0 ) 2 3 [for voltmeter] (16.2) - temperature coefficient After all these components of the uncertainty (both type A and type B) were estimated, the standard uncertainty uc(X) is computed, using the expression: uc(X) = n ∑u i =1 2 i (17) (Y ) The expanded uncertainty is given by: U = k × uc(E) (18) where k represents the coverage factor. 4. Calibration of an analogue AC ammeter The calibration of an analogue AC ammeter of nominal value 5 A is carried out by direct comparison to a reference standard of the same nominal value, using a digital multimeter whose performance characteristics have previously been determined. Measuring appliance (gauge): Analogue AC Ammeter, PsLL model Series/Number: 6068321 Characteristics (parameters): 0–5 A; AC; METRA manufacturer 0,2 Accuracy class: Standards: Digital multimeter Keithley Nr. 0595894, CE 000356-DKD-K-39701/ 06.2007 Method of calibration: direct comparison Measured values: Initial terminals Ambient temp. [°C] 27.5 27.5 Air humidity [%] 63.3 62.9 Atm. pressure [mbar] 966.4 966.6 Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 111 4.1. Measuring values of current of the analogue ammeter to be calibrated [A]: Vn [A] 0,0 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 Run of values: 1 ↑ ↓ 0,0735 0,0666 2,0298 2,0143 2,5425 2,5244 3,0717 3,0588 3,5485 3,5936 4,0558 4,0380 4,5288 4,5841 5,0412 5,0341 Run of values: 2 ↑ ↓ 0,0676 0,0699 2,0102 2,0427 2,5537 2,5917 3,0346 3,0353 3,5755 3,5793 4,0217 4,0278 4,5468 4,5786 5,0041 5,0257 Run of values: 3 ↑ ↓ 0,0674 0,0698 2,0542 2,0050 2,5988 2,5301 3,0256 3,0548 3,5637 3,5908 4,0138 4,0229 4,5574 4,5592 5,0968 5,0971 Run of values: 4 ↑ ↓ 0,0675 0,0701 2,0540 2,0052 2,5985 2,5304 3,0255 3,0586 3,5638 3,5912 4,0142 4,0231 4,5573 4,5591 5,0967 5,0972 Run of values: 5 ↑ ↓ 0,0679 0,0684 2,0543 2,0049 2,5986 2,5302 3,0254 3,0585 3,5642 3,5909 4,0139 4,0231 4,5575 4,5591 5,0966 5,0971 Run of values: Scale 6 marks ↑ ↓ 0,0668 0,0674 0 2,0489 2,0146 40 2,5941 2,5483 50 3,0472 3,0564 60 3,5754 3,5952 70 4,0209 4,0239 80 4,5578 4,5589 90 5,0969 5,0984 100 where: Vn - current rating, [A]. 4.2. Calculated values for evaluating of the uncertainty type A: Mean value (average) Vn [A] IUi 0,0685 2,0419 2,5810 3,0383 3,5652 4,0234 4,5509 5,0721 0,0 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 [A] Standard deviation (SIu)2 0,0000 0,0003 0,0007 0,0003 0,0001 0,0003 0,0001 0,0016 ICi 0,0687 2,0145 2,5425 3,0543 3,5902 4,0265 4,5665 5,0749 Standard uncert. uA (IX) 0,0021 0,0165 0,0256 0,0146 0,0081 0,0123 0,0116 0,0376 (SIc)2 0,0000 0,0002 0,0006 0,0001 0,0000 0,0000 0,0001 0,0012 Scale marks 0 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 4.3. Valuation and observed values for evaluating of the uncertainty type B: Vn (A) CET 0,0 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 T 0 [ C] 27,5 27,5 27,5 27,5 27,5 27,5 27,5 27,5 T0 [0C] 20,0 20,0 20,0 20,0 20,0 20,0 20,0 20,0 Valuation and observed quantity Dmax a Z div α 0 [ C] [mA] [mA] [A] [A] 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 7,5 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,05 C [A] 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 Hi [A] - 0,0002 0,0275 0,0385 - 0,0160 - 0,0250 - 0,0031 - 0,0156 - 0,0029 Scale marks 0 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 4.4. Calculated values for evaluating of the uncertainty type B: Vn [A] 0,0 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 IE 0,00000 2,00001 2,50001 3,00001 3,50002 4,00002 4,50002 5,00002 δ IE 0,00000 0,00001 0,00001 0,00001 0,00002 0,00002 0,00002 0,00002 δ IET 0,00000 0,00000 0,00000 0,00000 0,00000 0,00000 0,00000 0,00000 Calculated quantity [A] δ IED δ IR δ IZ 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 0,01 0,001 0,0686 δ IC 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 0,005 δ IDR - 0,0001 0,0137 0,0193 - 0,0080 - 0,0125 - 0,0015 - 0,0078 - 0,0014 Scale δ IXT marks 0,0000 0 0,0000 40 0,0000 50 0,0000 60 0,0000 70 0,0000 80 0,0000 90 0,0000 100 ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA 112 4.5. Calculated values of the uncertainty type B: Vn [A] 0,0 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 u(IE) 0,0150 0,0300 0,2500 0,3000 0,3500 0,4000 0,4500 0,5000 u(δIE) 0,0000 0,0050 0,0050 0,0050 0,0100 0,0100 0,0100 0,0100 u(δIET) 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 0,0000 Uncertainty type B u(δIED) u(δIR) u(δIZ) 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 2,88675 0,2887 1,9796 u(δIC) 1,4434 1,4434 1,4434 1,4434 1,4434 1,4434 1,4434 1,4434 u(δIDR) 0,0000 0,0040 0,0056 - 0,0023 - 0,0036 - 0,0004 - 0,0022 - 0,0004 Scale u(δIXT) marks 0,0000 0 0,0000 40 0,0000 50 0,0000 60 0,0000 70 0,0000 80 0,0000 90 0,0000 100 4.6. The budget of the uncertainty for the current values Ix: Vn 0,0 [A] Quantity Estimate Uncertainty X(i) x( i ) u( xi ) Estimate for type B 0,00000 0,0300 IE 0,00000 0,00000 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC -0,0001 -0,0001 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0000 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,0150 0,00000 0,00000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 0,0000 0,0000 normal 0,0021 6,61336 43,73648 IX Vn 2,0 [A] 0,084 Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u( xi ) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 2,00001 0,0600 IE 0,00001 0,00001 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC 0,0040 0,0137 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0003 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,0300 0,00500 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 0,0040 0,0000 normal 0,0165 6,63735 44,05474 IX 2,089 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,01500 0,00000 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 -0,00004 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,00205 6,61336 2 13,23 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,03000 0,00500 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 0,00396 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,01648 6,63737 2 13,27 Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 Vn 2,5 [A] Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u(xi) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 2,50001 0,5000 IE 0,00001 0,00001 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC 0,0193 0,0193 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0007 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,2500 0,00500 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 0,0056 0,0000 normal 0,0256 6,85895 47,04587 IX Vn 3,0 [A] 2,605 Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u(xi) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 3,00001 0,6000 IE 0,00001 0,00001 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC - 0,0080 - 0,0080 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0002 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,3000 0,00500 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 - 0,0023 0,0000 normal 0,0146 6,90108 47,62515 IX Vn 3,5 [A] 3,077 Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u(xi) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 3,50002 0,7000 IE 0,00002 0,00002 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC - 0,0125 - 0,0125 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0001 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,3500 0,01000 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 - 0,0036 0,0000 normal 0,0081 6,95479 48,36911 IX 3,572 113 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,25000 0,00500 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 0,00556 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,02562 6,85900 2 13,72 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,30000 0,00500 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 - 0,00231 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,01462 6,90110 2 13,80 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,35000 0,01000 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 - 0,00361 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,00807 6,95479 2 13,91 ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA 114 Vn 4,0 [A] Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u(xi) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 4,00002 0,8000 IE 0,00002 0,00002 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC 0,0015 0,0015 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0002 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,4000 0,01000 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 - 0,0004 0,0000 normal 0,0123 7,00795 49,11147 IX Vn 4,5 [A] 4,083 Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u(xi) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 4,50002 0,9000 IE 0,00002 0,00002 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC - 0,0078 - 0,0022 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0001 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,4500 0,01000 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 - 0,0022 0,0000 normal 0,0116 7,05615 49,78932 IX Vn 5,0 [A] 4,577 Quantity Estimate Uncertainty u(xi) X(i) x( i ) Estimate for type B 5,00002 1,0000 IE 0,00002 0,00002 δIE 0,00000 0,0000 δIET 0,0100 0,0100 δIED 0,0010 0,0010 δIR 0,0686 0,0686 δIZ 0,0050 0,0050 δIC - 0,0014 - 0,0014 δIDR 0,0000 0,0000 δIXT Estimate for type A 0,0014 δIx Probability distribution Standard uncertainty u(xi) normal rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular rectangular 0,5000 0,01000 0,0000 2,8868 0,2887 1,9796 1,4434 - 0,0004 0,0000 normal 0,0376 7,10798 50,52473 IX 5,085 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,40000 0,01000 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 - 0,00045 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,01226 7,00796 2 13,80 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,45000 0,01000 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 - 0,00225 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,01165 7,05615 2 14,11 Sensitivity Uncertainty coefficient Ci contribution ui (y) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,50000 0,01000 0,00000 2,88675 0,28868 1,97959 1,44338 - 0,00042 0,00000 1 uC K U 0,03759 7,10808 2 14,22 115 Volume 49, Number 1, 2008 4.7. Summarization of the final values for the current Ix : Current rating (Vn) [A] 0,0 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 Uncertainty (U) [mA] 13,23 13,27 13,72 13,80 13,91 14,02 14,11 14,22 Conventionally true values (VC) [A] 0,084 2,089 2,605 3,077 3,572 4,083 4,577 5,085 5. Conclusions REFERENCES In order to have consistent measurements, a metrological traceability chain has to be established for the measurement results, that is a chain of alternating measuring systems with associated measurement procedures and standards. A metrological traceability chain is defined through a calibration hierarchy from the measurement result to the stated metrological reference, which means that establishing a metrological traceability chain involves a series of comparisons with standards of higher and higher accuracy. Within each of these comparisons, the uncertainty associated with the corresponding reference standards has to be significantly lower than the uncertainty associated with the analogue ammeter and voltmeter to be calibrated. If follows that no traceability chain can be established without estimating the corresponding uncertainty for each performed measurement. In order to have a coherent metrological system, it is also important to use procedures (ISO Guide – GUM) to evaluate and calculate the measurement uncertainty. 1. EN 60051-1, Direct acting indicating analogue electrical measuring instruments and their accessories. Part 1: Definitions and general requirements common to all parts. 2. EN 60051-2, Direct acting indicating analogue electrical measuring instruments and their accessories. Part 2: Special requirements for ammeters and voltmeters. 3. EA - 4/02, Expression of the uncertainty of Measurement in Calibration. 4. SR ENV 13005/2003, Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. 5. VIM 13251/1996, International vocabulary of basic and general terms in metrology. Eng. Dorin ŢICUDEAN Regional Direction of Legal Metrology Metrological Laboratory of Turda Prof. Dr.ing. Ioan G. TÂRNOVAN Prof. Dr.ing. Gheorghe TODORAN Department of Electrical Measurements Faculty of Electrical Engineering Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania