A Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) is a

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

(USAF) facility in which the

calibration In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of know ...

and repair of test equipment takes place. This practice is also known as

metrology Metrology is the scientific study of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units, crucial in linking human activities. Modern metrology has its roots in the French Revolution's political motivation to standardise units in Fran ...

: ''the science of measurement''. Metrology is defined as the science of weights & measures, while a PMEL is the place where technicians perform all of the metrology for the U.S. Air Force. Air personnel in this career field are primarily responsible for the repair, calibration, and modification of test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment (TMDE), including precision measurement equipment laboratory standards and automatic test equipment. They also supervise the process and use of TMDE to perform voltage, current, power, impedance, frequency, microwave, temperature, physical-dimensional, and optical measurements. They perform these functions in a strictly controlled laboratory environment where the temperature and humidity are constantly monitored. The

Air Force Specialty Code The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

(AFSC) of air personnel trained to work in the PMEL is 2P0X1 replacing 324X0 where "X" represents a variable number which denotes the level of expertise of the individual. There are also defense contractors and government civilians who perform this job. The Air Force's PMELs are governed by AFMETCAL (Air Force Metrology and Calibration Program)

Calibration sections

Typically

electronic test equipment Electronic test equipment is used to create signals and capture responses from electronic devices under test (DUTs). In this way, the proper operation of the DUT can be proven or faults in the device can be traced. Use of electronic test equipmen ...

is maintained in different calibration sections (K-Sections). The technicians who work in the PMEL will often specialize in one of these sections. The K-Sections are derived from the primary function of the TMDE. This is based upon the calibration authority. Most labs have three calibration sections divided into K1/K8, K5/K6 and K3/K4 that specialize in like test equipment. For example, the K3/K4 section would maintain

Frequency counter A frequency counter is an electronic instrument, or component of one, that is used for measuring frequency. Frequency counters usually measure the number of cycles of oscillation, or pulses per second in a periodic electronic signal. Such an instr ...

Oscilloscope An oscilloscope (informally a scope) is a type of electronic test instrument that graphically displays varying electrical voltages as a two-dimensional plot of one or more signals as a function of time. The main purposes are to display repetiti ...

, Synthesized Signal Generator and power sensor. While K1/K8 would maintain

digital multimeter A multimeter is a measuring instrument that can measure multiple electrical properties. A typical multimeter can measure voltage, resistance, and current, in which case it is also known as a volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM), as the unit is equipped w ...

high voltage probe A test probe is a physical device used to connect electronic test equipment to a device under test (DUT). Test probes range from very simple, robust devices to complex probes that are sophisticated, expensive, and fragile. Specific types include ...

and resistance standards. Lastly K5/K6 would deal with truck scales, pressure gauges, optics and micrometers. The sections are as follows:
K1, K2, K8 DC/Electrical Standards Section
K3, K4 Frequency/RF Section
K5 Temperature/Humidity
K6, Physical Dimensional Test Equipment
K7, RADIAC
K9 Automated Test Equipment

Roles of PMEL technicians

The roles of technicians may vary from various locations but typically are divided by skill level. The 2P0X1 AFSC is broken down by skill levels. The five skill levels are 1,3,5,7,and 9. This skill level is determined by qualifications, rank and experience. In addition, this AFSC feeds into Chief Enlisted Manager code of 2P000. The following are typical roles for the various skill levels. More information can be found in the PMEL CFET

External links

* {{cite book , title= TO 00-20-14 Technical Manual Air Force Metrology and Calibration Program , url= http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120724-063.pdf , date= 30 September 2011 , quote= This Technical Order (TO) ... implements AFI 21-113, ''Air Force Metrology and Calibration (AFMETCAL) Management''. , accessdate= 23 January 2014

Air Force Metrology Homepage United States Air Force

Calibration sections

Roles of PMEL technicians

See also

External links