TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL COURSE

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL COURSE CURRICULUM MODULE 1 Introduction MODULE 2 Laws & Regulations MODULE 3 Enforcement Procedures MODULE 4 Legal Action MODULE 5 Legal Metrology MODULE 6 Field Standards & Test Equipment MODULE 7 Basic Weighing / Measuring Principles

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL COURSE CURRICULUM MODULE 8 Device Type Evaluation MODULE 9 Weighing Devices MODULE 10 Measuring Devices MODULE 11 Weighmaster Enforcement MODULE 12 Petroleum Products MODULE 13 Quantity Control MODULE 14 Service Agencies and Agents

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL Module Six “Field Standards and Test Equipment” Sixth in a series of 14

General Overview This module will introduce you to the types of standards and equipment you will use in your profession. It will also explain the appropriate care and use of each.

Module Objectives Be familiar with the standards and equipment you will use Understand which standards and equipment to use for a particular application Know the importance of maintaining and caring for your test standards and equipment

Your Standards and Equipment What will you use to test commercial weighing and measuring A variety of standards and equipment using units of: Weight Length Volume Time and Energy

Your Standards and Equipment NIST Handbook 44 regulates commercial W&M equipment Other handbooks from NIST address inspector’s standards NIST Handbook 105 series determines: design materials construction marking tolerances

Your Standards and Equipment Systems of Weights and Measures Used “US Customary” is the most common Gallons, ounces, cubic feet, etc. “System International” (SI) is also legal Liters, grams, meters Large Metric Standards are rarely used

Your Image Professionalism is Important Don’t use slang terms for your standards Carry a copy of the certificate of accuracy Evidence of accuracy is reassuring Maintain integrity of your equipment & standards Remember: “Clean Equipment is Accurate Equipment”

Mass (Weight) Standards Mass and Weight Are Different Mass is quantity Weight is force (Force as referenced in Module 5, Legal Metrology) In this module we will treat the terms as synonymous

Mass (Weight) Standards There are Many Types of Mass Standards n Ounces or grams n Tons and kilograms n Materials are generally stainless steel or cast iron n NIST Handbook 105 -1 discusses mass standards

Mass (Weight) Standards Inspector’s Weight Kits US Customary Metric

Mass (Weight) Standards

Mass (Weight) Standards Weight Carts NIST Handbook 105 -8 applies

Volumetric Standards Many terms are used for these standards for uniformity Standard: Refers to all sizes and types of volume standards Test Measure: Sizes up to and including 50 liters or 10 gallons Prover: Sizes larger than 50 liters or 5 gallons Flask, measuring cylinder, graduate: Generally describes glassware Cubic Measure: Used for measuring dry products Avoid using slang terms

Using Volumetric Standards n Usually requires reading a meniscus n Meniscus – curve of the surface of a liquid confined in a measuring cylinder or sight glass n Most liquids curve up – mercury curves down n Reading a meniscus correctly is a skill you must acquire

The Meniscus How you read a meniscus will affect the accuracy of the measurement Read the bottom of the curve

To Deliver or Contain Volumetric Standards fall into two types: To “Contain” To “Deliver” Abbreviations TC, TD or IN, EX are often used

To Deliver or Contain” n One standard will hold or “contain” its stated volume, the other delivers it n Each type must be used correctly for accurate measurement

To Contain n A “to contain” standard must be clean and dry to measure accurately n When drained after use, liquid residue inside reduces the volume n The next measurement would be in error because of the volume of residual liquid

To Deliver n These standards are designed to hold in excess of their stated volume n The excess is equal to the residual n If filled and emptied correctly, it will “deliver” its stated volume n In a wet condition it will hold its stated volume n Standard can be reused without drying between measurements

Conditioning a “To Deliver” Flask A “to deliver” flask must be conditioned or “wetted down” before use n n Flask is emptied in a specific way tilted to 80 degrees Then and drained for ten seconds emptied during 30 Filled flask seconds

Temperature Considerations n Temperature must be considered when making any volumetric measurement n Make adjustments if necessary

Types of Volumetric Standards § Volume standards come in many shapes, sizes, and forms § They are generally designed for specific tasks

Glassware, Graduates and Flasks Most common for checking quantity of packaged goods ranging from: 2 fl oz (50 ml) to 1 gal (4 L) When smaller volumes are needed, pipettes and burettes are used Handbook 105 -2 discusses glassware

Test Measures For testing gas dispensers 1, 5, or 10 gallon sizes NIST Handbook 105 -3 discusses test measures and provers Five gallon test measure

Test Measures Vehicle mounted test measures

Provers Larger volume standards, because of size and weight are either stati

Bell Prover Specialized prover for testing vapor meters Kept and used in a temperature controlled environment

Cubic Measures Used to measure dry products Available in convenient sizes 1 cubic foot – 1 cubic yard, or metric equivalent

Precise Volume Measures A measure with precise volume is often called a pycnome Used to determine density of viscous fluids Weigh product and use density to calculate volume

Length Standards of length can take many forms: tapes, rulers, calipers, micrometers, depth gauges, premeasured distances, etc.

Tapes and Rulers Tapes Flexible metal 25 – 100 ft. Smaller tapes (6 – 25 ft ) may not have been certified. Be sure to check Fabric tapes are available to test fabric measuring devices “Decimal” tapes with feet divided into tenths instead of inches are useful for calculation

Micrometers Used for measuring small distances, up to about ½ inch

Calipers Used to determine either internal or external dime

Depth Gauge Used to determine fill level of liquids Example: Measuring the level of paint in cans

Distance Simulators Used for testing taximeters

Pre-Measured Distances Another method to check taximeters A Pre-measured Mile

Fifth Wheel Once used for testing taximeters

Stopwatches Taximeters Parking Meters Verify flow rates of volume meters Coin Operated Laundry Machines NIST Handbook 105 -5 applies to stopwatches

Thermometers Two principle types: n Mercury-in-glass n Electronic NIST Handbook 105 -6 applies to thermometers

Mercury-in-Glass Thermometers Two types: Partial-immersion (left) is immersed to a line or graduation Total-immersion (right) is designed to be read at the mediums su Know which type you are using

Electronic Thermometers n May have an analog or digital readout n Digital is the most common

Electronic Thermometers Sensors can be: Thermocouple: Economical and easy to use Thermistor: Great accuracy and sensitivity 32°F to 212°F Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTD): Are the most precise, stable and repeatable

Electric Watthour Standard uses a high precision watthour meter and resistors

Weighing Devices Electronic Primarily used for package inspection

Weighing Devices Equal Arm Balance: Is fast, accurate, and reliable In use before digital electronic scales Still valid for package checking

Weighing Devices Large platform scales with 1000 lb capacity

Pressure Gauges Used when checking compressed gases in cylinders

Zeltec® Octane Analyzer Screens gasoline samples Results cannot be used to remove product from sale

Trap Tanks False tanks use fill pipe of original tank for undercover screening for accuracy of fuel dispensers

Water Finding Paste Detects presence of water in fuels Changes color in presence of water

RFI/EMF Producing Equipment Electronic devices should not be affected by RFI/EMF interference

Vapor Recovery Nozzle Tester Simulates vehicle gas tank to determine vapor, not liquid, is recovered

Tools and Safety Gear Specialized clothing and equipment needed for: Electric meters LPG meters Heavy capacity scales Chemicals and contaminants Don’t forget a first aid kit!

Care of Equipment n Keep equipment clean n Store it correctly n Exercise care when using

Summary Familiar with the standards you will use Know the importance of maintenance Know which standards are used for what task Have confidence in their accuracy

Conclusion This training module has provided you with a better understanding of your standards, their use, and integrity.

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL This Concludes Module 6 “Field Standards & Test Equipment”