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Reference

International Laboratory Weights & Precision Mass Standards Weight Classification


Excerpts from the Standard Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision
Mass Standards as Regulated by the Organization Internationale De Metrologie Legale
(OIML): 2004 Edition (E) Publication OIML R 111
This specification covers various classes of weights and mass standards used in laboratories, and weights used
for field standards and commercial measurement.

OIML Weight Classification and Selection Weights used for the verification
of weighing instruments
OIML is a worldwide, intergovernmental organization whose
primary aim is to harmonize the regulations and metrological The classes of accuracy of the weights used for the verification
controls applied by national metrological services, or related of weighing instruments shall be specified in the appropriate
organizations of member states. International Recommendations relating to these instruments.
The two main categories of OIML publications are: Weights used for the verification of weights
• International Recommendations (OIML R), which are model of a lower class of accuracy
regulations that establish the metrological characteristics E1 Weights intended to ensure traceability (see OIML R
required of certain measuring instruments and which specify 33, paragraph A.3) between national mass standards
methods and equipment for checking their conformity; the OIML (with values derived from the International Prototype
Member States shall implement these Recommendations to of the kilogram) and weights of class E2 and lower.
the greatest possible extent. Class E1 weights or sets of weights shall always be
• International Documents (OIML D), which are informative in nature accompanied by a calibration certificate.
and intended to improve the work of metrological services.
E2 Weights intended to be used for the initial verification of
Reference

International Recommendations and International Documents weights of class F1. They may be used as class E1 weights
are published in French (F) and English (E), and are subject if they comply with the requirements for surface roughness
to revision. and magnetic susceptibility of class E1 weights and if their
OIML publications may be obtained from the Organization’s calibration certificate gives the appropriate data.
headquarters: F1 Weights intended to be used for the initial verification of
Bureau International de Metrologie Legale 11 weighs of class F2.
Rue Turgot - 75009 Paris F2 Weights intended to be used for the initial verification of
France Telephone: 33 (1) 48 78 12 82 and 42 85 27 11 weights of class M1 and possibly M2.
Fax: 33 (1) 42 82 17 27
Telex: 234 444 SVP SERV F ATTN. OIML M1 weights intended to be used for the initial verification
www.OIML.org of weights of class M2.
General Information on Weight Classes: E1, F1, F2 Weights used with instruments of accuracy class I.
E2, F1, F2, M1, M2 F2 Weights intended to be used for important commercial
This Recommendation contains the principle physical characteristics transactions (e.g. gold and precious stones) on weighing
and metrological requirements for weights which are used: instruments of accuracy class II.
•For the verification of weighing instruments, M1 Weights intended to be used with weighing instruments
of accuracy class II.
•For the verification of weights of a lower class of accuracy.
M2 Weights intended to be used in normal commercial
The nominal values of mass of the weights covered by this
Recommendation range from 1 milligram (mg) to 50 kilograms (kg). transactions and on weighing instruments of accuracy
class III.
This recommendation applies to weights in classes of accuracy
as follows: E1, E2, F1, F2, M1, M2 and M3. M3 Weights intended to be used on weighing instruments of
accuracy classes III and IIII.
The accuracy of weights used with weighing instruments shall
be chosen in accordance with the requirements of OIML R 76
“Nonautomatic weighing instruments.”

218 • Precision Solutions To place an order call 800-472-6703 or visit ricelake.com/precision


© 2008 Rice Lake Weighing Systems • Prices & specifications subject to change without notice
Reference

International Laboratory Weights & Precision Mass Standards Weight Classification


Excerpts from the Standard Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision
Mass Standards as Regulated by the Organization Internationale De Metrologie Legale
(OIML): 2004 Edition (E) Publication OIML R 111
This specification covers various classes of weights and mass standards used in laboratories,
and weights used for field standards and commercial measurement.

Construction Recalibration or Periodic Verification


Class E1 and E2 Weights The categories of weights which are subject to calibration
Class E1 and E2 weights shall be solid and have no cavity open or initial verification should either be recalibrated or have a
to the atmosphere. They shall have an integral construction, i.e., periodic verification. This makes it possible to verify that the
consist of a single piece of material. weights maintain their metrological properties. Any weights
found defective at the time of the periodic verification shall be
Class F1 and F2 Weights discarded or readjusted.
Class F1 and F2 weights from 1g to 50 kg may be one or more
pieces from the same material. Class F1 and F2 weights may
Uncertainty of Measurement
contain an adjusting cavity; however, the volume of this cavity Standard uncertainty
shall not exceed one-twentieth of the total volume of the weight, Uncertainty of the result of a measurement expressed as an
and the cavity shall be closed either by means of the lifting knob estimated standard deviation.
or by any other suitable device.
Combined standard uncertainty
Calibration or Initial Verification Standard uncertainty of a measurement result. When that result is

Reference
Certain categories of new weights may either be calibrated obtained from the values of a number of quantities, it is equal to
individually or be subject to initial verification, depending on their the positive square root of the appropriate sum of the variances
intended use and the national legislation of the country. and covariances of these quantities. The variance of quantity is
the square of its standard deviation.
Calibration weights shall be accompanied by a certificate
which gives at least the conventional mass of each weight, its Expanded uncertainty
expanded uncertainty and the value of the coverage factor k The expanded uncertainty U is obtained by multiplying the
(see coverage factor k). combined standard uncertainty by the coverage factor k. U =
Class E1 weights shall always be accompanied by certificates. k . uc
The certificate for class E1 weights shall mention at least the Coverage factor k — level of confidence
values of conventional mass, the expanded uncertainty and the In most cases, it is appropriate to use the factor k = 2.
coverage factor k, and the density or volume for each weight.
For the normal distribution, the factor k = 2 signifies that the
The optional certificate for class E2 weights shall mention at least: limits of expanded uncertainty apply when the confidence level
• T he values of conventional mass of each weight is approximately 95%.
and the extended uncertainty and the coverage factor k,
or
Uncertainties for Weights
u2 = u2 ÷ u2 with uA, uB: standard uncertainties of category
• The information required for class E1 weights certificates
A and B, respectively.
(under the conditions of the above paragraph).

To place an order call 800-472-6703 or visit ricelake.com/precision Precision Solutions • 219


© 2008 Rice Lake Weighing Systems • Prices & specifications subject to change without notice

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