Industrial Terminology Glossary – A
Absolute Pressure
Zero referenced to a perfect vacuum, equaling the sum of gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure.
Absolute Zero (Temperature)
Theoretically, the lowest temperature possible, at which atoms would stop moving. Equivalent to 0°K, -273.15°C, and -459.97°F
Accelerometer
An instrument used for measuring acceleration, typically that of the vibration of a machine, building, or other structure. Accelerometers may measure one axis of movement or three axes of movement.
Accreditation Body
An organization that provides accreditation services. Most often this is an outside or third party that provides individuals with recognition of the ability to perform specific task. Usually delivered in the form of a certificate or diploma which defines the scope of the accreditation.
Accumulator
An energy storage device, which accepts, stores, and releases energy. Devices can store various types of energy including, thermal, mechanical, and electrical.
Accuracy is the extent to which a measurement aligns with the actual value of the quantity being assessed. It is commonly represented as a percentage relative to a standard reference. Read More…
An air sampler is a device or equipment designed to gather a precise volume of air within a designated time frame, serving to assess the quality of air in a controlled setting. Read More…
Airbag System Deployment Testing
The systematic examination of an airbag system’s functionality and dependability during deployment across diverse scenarios. Read More…
A device that uses load cells, designed to measure force or weight, to accurately determine the weight of an aircraft. Read More…
Alpha
Temperature coefficient of resistance expressed in ohm/ohm/°C. Defines the average resistance/temperature relationship over the fundamental interval of 0 to 100°C.
Alternating Current (AC)
An electrical current within a circuit which reverses the direction of flow of electrons continuously at regular intervals.
A crucial evaluation method that simulates the lower air pressure experienced at higher altitudes. Read More…
Ambient Conditions
The surrounding conditions (temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc.) that are taken in to consideration when systems are commissioned or tested.
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)
A distinguished non-profit organization that holds worldwide recognition for its role in assessing and accrediting a broad spectrum of laboratories and other organizations engaged in testing, calibration, and more. Read More…
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
The primary organization for fostering the development of technology standards in the United States. ANSI works with industry groups and is the U.S. member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
The most common format for text files on a computer. Created by using binary numbers to represent upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
American Wire Gauge (AWG)
The American Wire Gage is an index which shows, indirectly (inversely and logarithmically), the cross-sectional area of a round wire.
An ammeter is a device to measure electric current in circuits, for both DC and AC. Read More…
Ampere
The base unit of an electric current in the International Systems of Units, equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second.
Analog
Signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity such as spatial position (as an analog pressure gauge), voltage (as a needle-and-scale panel meter), etc.
A precision weighing tool, specifically designed to determine the mass of small samples with exceptional accuracy and precision. Read More…
Anemometers, ranging from cup and propeller to hot-wire and sonic variants, gauge wind speed and direction across diverse applications. Read More…
An angle block serves as a precise measuring instrument used for establishing or verifying angles. Read More…
Angular Load – Concentric (Common Center)
A load applied concentric with the primary axis at the point of application and at some angle with respect to the primary axis.
Angular Load – Eccentric (Off Center)
A load applied eccentric with the primary axis at the point of application and at some angle with respect to the primary axis.
Aperture
The opening of a lens’s diaphragm that controls the amount of light that can pass through – in metrology this is relevant in equipment such as optical comparators and vision systems where lighting can affect a measurement.
Apparent Power
a measure of alternating current (AC) power that is computed by multiplying the root-mean-square (rms) current by the root-mean-square voltage.
Associated Apparatus
A device used in intrinsically safe circuits which serves to limit the energy available in order to maintain the intrinsic safety of the circuit under prescribed conditions. Typically a “safety barrier” and is usually required to be installed in a non-hazardous location.
Asynchronous Transmission
Describes a process where transmitted data is encoded to include start and stop bits to inform the receiver where each character begins and ends. Also called start/stop transmission.
Attenuator
An electronic device that reduces the power of a signal while not distorting its waveform.
Auto Ignition Temperature (AIT)
The lowest temperature at which a material will spontaneously combust in a normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition, such as a flame.
Auto-Polarity
Automatic interchanging of connections to a digital meter when polarity is wrong; a minus sign appears ahead of the value on the digital display if the reading is negative.
Autoclave
A device that uses pressure and temperature to reach and maintain a particular environment. They are used frequently within the life sciences or chemical industry to produce environments inhabitable for any microorganisms or their spores. Other uses include production of carbon fiber components for the aerospace and motorized vehicles industry. Chambers can range in size from small table top units to industrial units sometimes up to 100 feet in length and 15 feet in diameter.
A mechanism designed to cease the functioning of a given system or device seamlessly and autonomously, eliminating the requirement for manual intervention. Read More…
Automatic Zero / Automatic Zero Maintenance (AZM)
Electronically compensates for numerous conditions that cause minor variations around zero, providing a means to have a “true zero” at all times on a digital scale or device.
Average Piece Weight (APW)
Used by counting scales to count pieces by taking the amount of weight and dividing it by the number of samples.
Avoirdupois Units
A system of measuring weight that uses pounds and ounces.
An axial load represents a force exerted along an object’s length, aligned with its central axis. Read More…
An axle scale serves as a specialized instrument for gauging the weight distribution on a vehicle’s axles. Read More…
