EN ISO 14978:2006

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2006
6SHFLILNDFLMDJHRPHWULMVNLKYHOLþLQL]GHOND*362VQRYHLQ]DKWHYH]DPHULOQR
RSUHPR*36,62
Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - General concepts and requirements for GPS
measuring equipment (ISO 14978:2006)
Geometrische Produktspezifikation (GPS) - Allgemeine Begriffe und Anforderungen für
GPS Messeinrichtungen (ISO 14978:2006)
Spécification géométrique des produits (GPS) - Concepts et exigences généraux pour
les équipements de mesure GPS (ISO 14978:2006)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 14978:2006
ICS:
17.040.30 Merila Measuring instruments
17.040.40 6SHFLILNDFLMDJHRPHWULMVNLK Geometrical Product
YHOLþLQL]GHOND*36 Specification (GPS)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 14978
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2006
ICS 17.040.30
English Version
Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - General concepts
and requirements for GPS measuring equipment (ISO
14978:2006)
Spécification géométrique des produits (GPS) - Concepts Geometrische Produktspezifikation (GPS) - Allgemeine
et exigences généraux pour les équipements de mesure Begriffe und Anforderungen für GPS Messeinrichtungen
GPS (ISO 14978:2006) (ISO 14978:2006)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 June 2006.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
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EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 14978:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 14978:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 213
"Dimensional and geometrical product specifications and verification" in collaboration with
Technical Committee CEN/TC 290 "Dimensional and geometrical product specification and
verification", the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of
an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2007, and conflicting national
standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by January 2007.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of
the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 14978:2006 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 14978:2006 without any
modifications.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14978
FIrst edition
2006-07-01
Geometrical product specifications
(GPS) — General concepts and
requirements for GPS measuring
equipment
Spécification géométrique des produits (GPS) — Concepts et
exigences généraux pour les équipements de mesure GPS

Reference number
ISO 14978:2006(E)
©
ISO 2006
ISO 14978:2006(E)
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ii © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 2
4 Abbreviations . 12
5 Design characteristics. 13
5.1 General. 13
5.2 Indicating measuring equipment . 14
5.3 Material measures. 14
6 Metrological characteristics . 15
6.1 General. 15
6.2 Identification, definition and choice of metrological characteristics. 16
6.3 Indicating measuring equipment — identification of general metrological characteristics. 17
6.4 Material measures — Identification of general metrological characteristics. 19
7 Types of presentation and types of specifications for characteristics. 21
7.1 General. 21
7.2 Presentation of characteristic curves — Fixed and floating zero . 21
7.3 Presentation of a characteristic — Statistical . 24
7.4 Specifications for single-value metrological characteristics. 25
7.5 Specification for metrological characteristics defined in a range. 25
7.6 Specification for metrological characteristics defined in a two- or three-dimensional
range . 29
8 Calibration of metrological characteristics. 29
8.1 Manufacturer and supplier of measuring instruments . 29
8.2 User of measuring instruments. 29
8.3 Measurement uncertainty . 29
9 Marking . 30
Annex A (normative) General minimum requirements and guidance for clauses in GPS standards
for specific measuring equipment . 31
Annex B (informative) Data sheet for measuring equipment requirements. 33
Annex C (normative) Relation to the GPS matrix model. 35
Bibliography . 37

ISO 14978:2006(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 14978 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 213, Dimensional and geometrical product
specifications and verification.
iv © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
Introduction
This International Standard is a geometrical product specification (GPS) standard and is to be regarded as a
global GPS standard (see ISO/TR 14638). It influences chain links 5 and 6 of all chains of standards in the
general GPS matrix.
For more detailed information of the relation of this International Standard to other standards and the GPS
matrix model, see Annex C.
This International Standard contains guidance for writing the standards for specific measuring equipment.
This International Standard is intended to give the user a basic understanding of the use of ISO standards for
GPS measuring equipment. This International Standard presents and defines general concepts to be used in
connection with GPS measuring equipment to avoid multiple repetitions in the ISO standards for specific GPS
measuring equipment. This International Standard is also intended as guidance for the manufacturer to
evaluate and present specifications for characteristics for GPS measurement equipment.
This International Standard should be close at hand when reading and using ISO standards for a specific GPS
measuring equipment.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14978:2006(E)

Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — General concepts
and requirements for GPS measuring equipment
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the general requirements, terms and definitions of characteristics of
simple GPS measuring equipment, e.g. micrometers, dial gauges, callipers, surface plates, height gauges,
gauge blocks, but not necessarily excluding more complicated equipment. It forms the basis for standards
defining and describing the design characteristics and metrological characteristics for measuring equipment. It
also gives guidance for the development and content of standards for GPS measuring equipment.
This International Standard is intended to ease the communication between manufacturer/supplier and
customer/user and to make the specification phase of GPS measuring equipment more accurate. This
International Standard is also intended as a tool to be used in companies in the process of defining and
selecting relevant characteristics for measuring equipment to be used in the quality assurance of measuring
processes, i.e. in calibration and in workpiece measurements.
This International Standard also includes terms which are frequently used in connection with the
characterization of specific measuring equipment.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1:2002, Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Standard reference temperature for geometrical
product specification and verification
ISO 1101:2004, Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS — Geometrical tolerancing — Tolerances of form,
orientation, location and run-out
1)
ISO 5459:— , Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Geometrical tolerancing — Datums and datum
systems
ISO 14253-1:1998, Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Inspection by measurement of workpieces
and measuring equipment — Part 1: Decision rules for proving conformance or non-conformance with
specifications
ISO/TS 14253-2:1999, Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Inspection by measurement of
workpieces and measuring equipment — Part 2: Guide to the estimation of uncertainty in GPS measurement,
in calibration of measuring equipment and product verification
ISO/TS 17450-2, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — General concepts — Part 2: Basic tenets,
specifications, operators and uncertainties
International vocabulary of basic and general terms in metrology (VIM), BIPM, IEC, IFCC, ISO, IUPAC, IUPAP,
1) To be published. (Revision of ISO 5459:1981.)
ISO 14978:2006(E)
International vocabulary of basic and general terms in metrology (VIM), BIPM, IEC, IFCC, ISO, IUPAC, IUPAP,
Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM), BIPM, IEC, IFCC, ISO, IUPAC, IUPAP, OIML,
2)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14253-1, ISO/TS 14253-2,
ISO/TS 17450-2, VIM and GUM and the following apply.
3.1
measuring equipment
ME
any instrument, measurement standard, reference material and/or auxiliary apparatus or any combination
thereof necessary to implement a measurement process for carrying out a specified and defined
measurement
NOTE 1 This definition is necessarily wider than that of a measuring instrument [VIM:1993, 4.1] since it includes all the
means necessary for producing a measurement result.
NOTE 2 The concept measuring equipment includes, for example, indicating measuring instruments (3.2) and
material measures (3.3).
3.2
indicating measuring instrument
measuring equipment that displays an indication
NOTE 1 The display can be analog (continuous or discontinuous) or digital.
NOTE 2 Values of more than one quantity can be displayed simultaneously.
NOTE 3 A displaying measuring instrument can also provide a record.
[VIM:1993, 4.6]
EXAMPLES
a) Analog mechanical dial gauge,
b) digital calliper,
c) micrometer.
NOTE 4 The examples given in VIM are changed here to examples in length units.
3.3
material measure
device intended to reproduce or supply, in a permanent manner during its use, one or more known values of a
given quantity
NOTE 1 The quantity concerned can be called the supplied quantity.
[VIM:1993, 4.2]
2) Corrected and reprinted in 1995.
2 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
EXAMPLES
a) Gauge block,
b) ball plate,
c) angle block,
d) limit gauge (e.g. gap gauge),
e) functional gauge,
f) surface texture standard,
g) reference ring,
h) tape measure.
NOTE 2 Material measure is included in the concept measuring equipment.
NOTE 3 The examples given in VIM are changed here to examples in length units.
3.4
mono-characteristic measuring equipment
measuring equipment which can be characterised by a single metrological characteristic
NOTE 1 Mono-characteristic measuring equipment is a simplifying theoretical concept which is described in this
standard as a contrast to the case of actual multi-characteristic measuring equipment.
NOTE 2 For simplification, especially when evaluating uncertainty contributions, multi-characteristic measuring
equipment (3.5) can be considered as a “black box” and therefore can be assumed to be a mono-characteristic
measuring equipment.
3.5
multi-characteristic measuring equipment
measuring equipment which is characterised by two or more metrological characteristics
NOTE All GPS measuring equipment is multi-characteristic (see 3.4 NOTE 2).
3.6
measurement process
set of interrelated resources, activities and influences which produce a measurement
NOTE 1 This term is commonly used for the calibration of measuring equipment and the measurement of workpieces.
NOTE 2 Resources can be human or material.
3.7
intended use
〈measuring equipment〉 measurement process in which specific measuring equipment is to be used
NOTE 1 Knowledge about intended use usually reduces the number of metrological requirements to be calibrated.
NOTE 2 Knowledge about intended use of the maximum permissible errors (MPE, see 3.21) for the metrological
requirements that need to be calibrated usually allows adjustment to more economical and less restrictive values.
3.8
calibration
〈measuring equipment〉 set of operations that establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between
values of quantities indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system, or values represented by a
material measure or a reference material, and the corresponding values realized by standards
NOTE 1 The result of a calibration permits either the assignment of values of measurands to the indications, or the
determination of corrections with respect to indications.
NOTE 2 A calibration can also determine other metrological properties, such as the effect of influence quantities.
ISO 14978:2006(E)
NOTE 3 The result of a calibration can be recorded in a document, sometimes called a calibration certificate or a
calibration report.
[VIM:1993, 6.11]
NOTE 4 The VIM definition of calibration only applies to mono-metrological characteristic measuring equipment and
therefore usually does not apply to GPS measuring equipment (see 3.4 and 3.5).
3.9
calibration of a metrological characteristic
set of operations that establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values of quantities of a
metrological characteristic, and the corresponding values realized by standards
NOTE Metrological characteristics can be defined and calibrated as quantities that need mathematical or geometrical
transformations to be compatible with the measurement result of the measuring equipment, e.g. flatness and parallelism of
the measuring faces of an external micrometer.
3.10
global calibration
〈measuring equipment〉 calibration of all metrological characteristics for measuring equipment
NOTE 1 Global calibration can be used if the intended use of the equipment is not known at the time of calibration, or
as an acceptance test to verify the agreed specifications in connection with the delivery of new measuring equipment.
NOTE 2 In cases of daily operation of the metrology system in a company, global calibration is usually not needed
(see 3.11).
3.11
task-related calibration
〈measuring equipment〉 calibration of only those metrological characteristics which influence the measurement
uncertainty for the intended use
NOTE 1 Usually a task-related calibration will include the calibration of only those metrological characteristics that have
a major influence on the measurement uncertainty for the intended use.
NOTE 2 Task-related calibrations can be performed using other, more economical procedures than those used in
global calibration; and a task-related calibration can be designed to deliver information (values and conditions) optimised
for use in the specific uncertainty budget.
NOTE 3 This definition of task-related calibration is intentionally formulated differently from that in ISO 12179, but the
meaning is the same. The difference in the text indicates a development in the GPS field.
3.12
metrological characteristic
MC
〈measuring equipment〉 characteristic of measuring equipment, which may influence the results of
measurement
NOTE 1 The influence on the results of measurement is an immediate (short-term) uncertainty contribution (see
Clause 6).
NOTE 2 A metrological characteristic is expressed in numerical values and can be evaluated in a unit other than that of
the measurement result of the actual measuring equipment.
NOTE 3 Measuring equipment usually has several metrological characteristics.
NOTE 4 Metrological characteristics can be subject to calibration (see 3.10 and 3.11).
4 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
3.13
design characteristic
DC
〈measuring equipment〉 characteristic of measuring equipment which does not influence the measurement
directly, but which may be of interest for other reasons when the measuring equipment is used
NOTE 1 Design characteristics can influence interchangeability, readability of line scales and digital read-outs, wear
resistance, etc. (see Clause 5).
NOTE 2 Some design characteristics can influence the equipment’s long-term capacity to make measurements
(influencing design characteristics), e.g. its wear resistance, its environmental resistance, etc. Other design characteristics
have no influence the measurements (non-influencing design characteristics).
3.14
metrological requirement
MR
〈measuring equipment〉 requirement for a metrological characteristic
NOTE 1 Metrological requirements can be derived from specified requirements for a product/feature to be measured,
or can be decided on a general basis.
NOTE 2 A metrological requirement can be presented as a maximum permissible error (MPE, see 3.21) or as
permissible limits (MPL, see 3.20).
NOTE 3 Measuring equipment usually has several metrological requirements, one for each metrological characteristic.
3.15
design requirement
DR
〈measuring equipment〉 requirement for a design characteristic
NOTE 1 Design requirements can be derived from the intended use of the measuring equipment or decided on a
general basis, and can be given in a standard.
NOTE 2 A design requirement can be given in the form of dimensions, material requirements, interface protocols, etc.
(see Clause 5).
3.16
error (of indication)
〈measuring equipment〉 indication of measuring equipment minus a true value of the corresponding input
quantity
NOTE 1 Since a true value cannot be determined, in practice a conventional true value is used (see VIM:1993, 1.19
and 1.20).
NOTE 2 This concept applies mainly where the instrument is compared to a reference standard.
NOTE 3 For a material measure, the indication is the value assigned to it.
[VIM:1993, 5.20]
NOTE 4 The VIM term and definition generally do not apply to set-up specifications for GPS measuring equipment and
certainly not to the concept of a metrological characteristic in multi-characteristic measuring equipment. Term 3.18 is used
instead.
3.17
value of the actual metrological characteristic
value found by calibration and characterising the metrological characteristic
ISO 14978:2006(E)
3.18
error (deviation value) of a metrological characteristic
error value characterising the actual metrological characteristic (actual value minus ideal value of the
characteristic)
NOTE 1 An error of a metrological characteristic can be evaluated in a unit other than that of the measurement result of
the actual measuring equipment.
NOTE 2 This term is used for multi-characteristic measuring equipment (see 3.16, NOTE 4).
3.19
maximum permissible errors
〈measuring equipment〉 extreme values of an error permitted by specifications, regulations, etc. for a given
piece of measuring equipment
See 7.5 and Figures 9 to 12.
NOTE 1 This definition is a parallel to VIM:1993, 5.21 for measuring instruments.
NOTE 2 This term is only applicable to mono-metrological characteristic measuring equipment.
NOTE 3 This term and definition generally do not apply to specifications for GPS measuring equipment and certainly
not to the concept of a metrological characteristic in multi-characteristic measuring equipment. Term 3.20 or 3.21 is used
instead.
3.20
permissible limits of a metrological characteristic
MPL
extreme values of a metrological characteristic permitted by specifications, regulations, etc. for a given piece
of measuring equipment
See 7.5.5 and Figure 12.
NOTE MPL can be a value or set of values or a function (MPL-function).
3.21
maximum permissible errors for a metrological characteristic
MPE
extreme values of an error of a metrological characteristic permitted by specifications, regulations, etc. for a
given piece of measuring equipment
See 7.5 and Figures 9 to 12.
NOTE 1 This definition is a parallel to VIM:1993, 5.21 for measuring instruments (see 3.19).
NOTE 2 MPE can be a value or set of values or a function (MPE-function).
3.22
repeatability
〈measuring instrument〉 ability of a measuring instrument to provide very similar indications for repeated
applications of the same measurand under the same conditions of measurement
NOTE 1 These conditions include:
⎯ reduction to a minimum of the variations due to the observer,
⎯ the same measurement procedure,
⎯ the same observer,
⎯ the same measuring equipment, used under the same conditions,
6 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
⎯ the same location,
⎯ repetition over a short period of time.
NOTE 2 Repeatability can be expressed quantitatively in terms of the dispersion characteristics of the indications.
[VIM:1993, 5.27]
NOTE 3 This term and definition generally do not apply to specifications for GPS measuring equipment and certainly
not to the concept of a metrological characteristic in a multi-characteristic measuring equipment. Term 3.23 is used
instead.
3.23
repeatability of a metrological characteristic
ability of measuring equipment to provide very similar values for repeated measurements of a particular
metrological characteristic under the same conditions
NOTE 1 This definition is parallel to 3.22 for the total measurement equipment.
NOTE 2 Repeatability can be expressed quantitatively in terms of the dispersion characteristics of the indications.
3.24
hysteresis
property of measuring equipment, or a characteristic whereby the indication of the equipment or value of the
characteristic depends on the orientation of the preceding stimuli
NOTE Hysteresis can also depend, for example, on the distance travelled after the orientation of stimuli has changed.
3.25
discrimination (threshold)
largest change in a stimulus that produces no detectable change in the response of a measuring instrument,
the change in the stimulus taking place slowly and monotonically
NOTE The discrimination threshold can depend, for example, on noise (internal or external) or friction. It can also
depend on the value of the stimulus.
[VIM:1993, 5.11]
3.26
resolution (of a displaying device)
smallest difference between indications of a displaying device that can be distinguished meaningfully
NOTE 1 This concept also applies to a recording device.
[VIM:1993, 5.12]
NOTE 2 See 6.3.2.3.
NOTE 3 For a digital displaying device, the resolution is equal to the digital step.
3.27
digital step
in a digital displaying device, the smallest possible change in the least significant digit
3.28
analogue scale
See Figures 1 and 2.
NOTE For detailed definitions of 3.28.1 to 3.28.10, see VIM:1993, 4.16, 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.28 and
VIM:1987, 4.17.
ISO 14978:2006(E)
Key
a
scale division (3.28.1)
b
scale interval (3.28.2): in this example, 0,1 cm for the minor scale marks or
1 cm for the major scale marks
c
scale spacing: in this example, 0,1 cm for the minor scale marks or 1 cm for
the major scale marks
d
scale length: in this example, 7 cm
e
scale range: in this example, 0 to 7 cm
scale span: in this example, 7 cm
f
units marked on the scale (in this example, cm)
g
index
h
face dial
i
scale numbering: in this example 0, 1,…,7
j
scale mark
Figure 1 — Terms related to an analogue straight scale

Key
a
scale division (3.28.1)
b
scale interval (3.28.2): in this example, 0,01 mm for the minor scale
marks or 0,1 mm for the major scale marks
c
scale spacing: in this example, 1 mm for the minor scale marks or
10 mm for the major scale marks
d
scale length: in this example, approximately 100 mm
e
scale range: in this example, 0,00 to 1,00 mm
scale span: in this example, 1 mm
f
units marked on the scale (in this example, 0,01 mm)
g
index
h
face dial
i
scale numbering: in this example there are two sets of scale numbering
j
scale mark
Figure 2 — Terms related to an analogue circular scale
3.28.1
scale division
part of a scale between any two successive scale marks
[VIM:1993, 4.20]
NOTE i.e. the space between two successive scale marks
8 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
3.28.2
scale interval
distance between the values corresponding to two successive scale marks, in the units marked on the scale
NOTE Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.22
3.28.3
scale spacing
distance between two successive scale marks
NOTE 1 Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.21
NOTE 2 i.e. the physical distance between two successive scale marks
3.28.4
scale length
〈analog straight scale〉 physical length between the first and the last scale marks
NOTE Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.18.
3.28.5
scale length
〈analog circular scale〉 physical length of the circle passing through the centres of all the shortest scale marks
NOTE Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.18
3.28.6
scale range
set of values bounded by the extreme indications
NOTE 1 The lower limit of the scale range is not necessarily zero, e.g. in the case of an internal micrometer whose
scale range starts at 5 mm.
NOTE 2 Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.19
3.28.7
scale span
modulus of the difference between the two limits of a scale range (see also 3.37)
3.28.8
index
pointer
NOTE Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.16
3.28.9
face dial
physical part (surface) which carries the scale
NOTE Adapted from VIM:1993, 4.27
3.28.10
scale numbering
ordered set of numbers associated with the scale marks
[VIM:1993, 4.28]
3.28.11
scale mark
lines on the face dial
NOTE Adapted from VIM:1987, 4.17 and from VIM:1993, 4.17
ISO 14978:2006(E)
3.29
fixed zero
fixed reference point of indication or value (of a metrological characteristic of measuring equipment), where
the error of the characteristic is zero
3.30
floating zero
floating reference point of indication or value (of a metrological characteristic of measuring equipment), where
the error of the characteristic is zero
3.31
fixed zero error or value
indication or value error referenced to a fixed zero (of a metrological characteristic of measuring equipment)
3.32
floating zero error or value
indication or value error referenced to a floating zero (of a metrological characteristic of measuring equipment)
3.33
reference point
setting point for indication error evaluation in the range of measuring equipment
3.34
nominal range
range of indications obtainable with a particular setting of the controls of a measuring instrument
[VIM:1993, 5.1]
See Figure 3.
NOTE 1 Nominal range is normally stated in terms of its lower and upper limits, e.g. "24,5 mm to 50,6 mm". Where the
lower limit is zero, the nominal range is commonly stated solely in terms of its upper limit.
NOTE 2 The examples given in VIM are changed in Figure 3 to examples in length units.
3.35
nominal span
modulus of the difference between the two limits of a nominal range
NOTE 1 In some fields of knowledge, the difference between the greatest and smallest values is called range.
See Figure 3.
NOTE 2 Adapted from VIM:1993, 5.2. The word “nominal” is added here to distinguish “nominal span” from the three
other types of span (see 3.37, 3.39 and 3.41)
NOTE 3 The example given in VIM is changed in Figure 3 to an example in length units.
EXAMPLE For a nominal range of 24,5 mm to 50,6 mm, the nominal span is 26,1 mm.
3.36
measuring range
set of values of measurands for which the error of a measuring instrument is intended to lie within specified
limits
NOTE 1 Error is determined in relation to a conventional true value.
[VIM:1993, 5.4]
See Figure 3.
10 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
NOTE 2 The example given in Figure 3 is in length units.
NOTE 3 Specified limits can be given as a set of MPEs or MPLs.

Key
1 nominal range (3.34): 24,5 mm to 50,6 mm
nominal span (3.35):
26,1 mm (50,6 mm − 24,5 mm = 26,1 mm)
measuring range (3.36):
2 25 mm to 50 mm
measuring span (3.37): 25 mm (50 mm − 25 mm = 25 mm)
3 pre-range (3.38): 24,5 mm to 25 mm
pre-span (3.39):
0,5 mm (25 mm − 24,5 mm = 0,5 mm)
post-range (3.40):
4 50 mm to 50,6 mm
post-span (3.41):
0,6 mm (50,6 mm − 50 mm = 0,6 mm)
NOTE A 25mm – 50 mm external micrometer has been used as an example.
Figure 3 — Range and span terms
3.37
measuring span
modulus of the difference between the two limits of a measuring range
[VIM:1993, 5.2]
See Figure 3.
NOTE The example given in VIM is changed in this standard to an example in length units.
3.38
pre-range
range of indications obtainable with a particular setting of a measuring instrument from the lowest possible
indication to the lower limit of the measuring range
See Figure 3.
NOTE The example given in Figure 3 is in length units.
3.39
pre-span
modulus of the difference between the two limits of a pre-range
See Figure 3.
NOTE The example given in Figure 3 is in length units.
3.40
post-range
range of indications obtainable with a particular setting of a measuring instrument from the upper limit of the
measuring range to the highest possible indication
See Figure 3.
ISO 14978:2006(E)
NOTE The example given in Figure 3 is in length units.
3.41
post-span
modulus of the difference between the two limits of a post-range
See Figure 3.
NOTE The example given in Figure 3 is in length units.
3.42
serialised identification
unique alphanumeric identification used to identify the individual measuring equipment or part of measuring
equipment
NOTE 1 Manufacturers' serial numbers are an example of serialised identification.
NOTE 2 A serialized identification of measuring equipment is a quality assurance requirement.
3.43
acceptance test
〈measuring instrument〉 set of operations agreed upon by the measuring instrument manufacturer and the user
to verify that the performance of a measuring instrument is as stated by the manufacturer
3.44
verification test
〈measuring instrument〉 test to verify that the performance of a measuring instrument is as stated by the user
and executed according to the same procedures as those of the acceptance test
4 Abbreviations
For the purpose of this International Standard, the abbreviations of Table 1 apply.
Table 1 — Abbreviations
Abbreviation Term Reference
DC Design characteristic 3.13
DR Design requirement 3.15
MPL Permissible limits of a metrological characteristic 3.20
LSL Lower specification limit ISO 14253-1:1998
ME Measuring equipment 3.1
MC Metrological characteristic 3.12
MR Metrological requirement 3.14
MPE Maximum permissible error 3.21, see also 3.19
USL Upper specification limit ISO 14253-1:1998

12 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

ISO 14978:2006(E)
5 Design characteristics
5.1 General
5.1.1 Characteristics
Design characteristics for measuring equipment may be of interest even if they do not have a short-term
influence on the measurement results (i.e. errors and uncertainty of measurement). Important design
characteristics may be subject to specification by the manufacturer/supplier and/or the user/customer of the
measuring equipment. The kinds of important design characteristics are dependent on the type, design and
intended use of the measuring equipment.
Some design characteristics may have an influence on the equipment’s long term ability to measure: for
example, wear may influence some of the metrological characteristics.
5.1.2 Standards
Relevant important design characteristics are subject to standardization in the specific ISO GPS standards
concerning the individual types of measuring equipment.
For the sake of interchangeability, this standardization shall be limited to the most important design
characteristics, so as not to limit development of measurement technology and measuring equipment.
The specific ISO standards concerning the individual types of measuring equipment can use two
levels/options for design characteristics:
⎯ listing by the manufacturer/supplier of the design characteristics to be explicitly stated, and indicating
nominal values if necessary and possible;
⎯ listing of the design characteristics and associated values and/or tolerance limit values to be standardised.
NOTE This is the only case in future standards where values of characteristics and tolerances are standardised in
ISO GPS standards for specific measuring equipment.
Those design characteristics, if any, which are of uppermost importance and therefore are to be standardised
in one of the two levels/options, shall be evaluated and decided in each specific case (measuring equipment).
The lists in 5.2 and 5.3 shall be used as guidance for the ISO standards on specific measuring equipment.
Generally speaking, when proving conformance or non-conformance to stated and/or chosen limit-values for
design characteristics, the rules in ISO 14253-1:1998 apply.
5.1.3 Measuring equipment — Commerce
In their product documentation, data sheets, etc., intended to give customers information on the product,
manufacturers and suppliers of GPS measuring equipment shall at least present the suggested design
characteristics given in the relevant specific standard.
It may be in the interests of the manufacturer/supplier to supply additional relevant information about design
characteristics (see Annex B).
A customer may have special requirements for additional design characteristics. This International Standard
may be used as a tool to establish these specifications.
5.1.4 Measuring equipment — Internal use in a company
Design characteristics and possible requirements in MPE or MPL values shall be used in trade, but not
necessarily used or verified in daily operation in a company.
ISO 14978:2006(E)
Design characteristics and possible requirements standardised in an ISO standard for a specific GPS
measuring equipment shall not be taken as mandatory in the daily operation of the metrology system, unless
specific decisions in the organisation/company make them mandatory.
Generally speaking, an organisation or a company may establish a set of design characteristics, based on
local needs and conditions, or for each group of measuring equipment. These technical decisions should also
be evaluated in terms of costs and communicated on a data sheet (see Annex B).
5.2 Indicating measuring equipment
Typical design characteristics for indicating measuring equipment are related to the importance of the
characteristics in the use of the equipment. The following non-exhaustive list of reasons and design
characteristics shall only be considered as examples. In many cases, very specific design characteristics exist
for a specific use and for specific types of measuring equipment.
⎯ Interchangeability
EXAMPLES Overall and detail measures, measuring range, clamping and or mounting system, etc. and relevant
geometry/tolerances.
⎯ Wear resistance
EXAMPLES Material, hardness, etc. of relevant parts of the equipment.
⎯ Environment protection
EXAMPLES Water protection, dust protection, electrical protection, corrosion protection.
⎯ Electrical requirements
EXAMPLES Interface protocols, power supply, etc.
⎯ Special operating features
EXAMPLES Hoisting/lifting devises, alignment devices.
⎯ Operating limitations
EXAMPLES Maximum speed of travel, temperature range, power and air supply stability.
⎯ Special auxiliary equipment
EXAMPLES Surface plate, v-block, clamping devices.
5.3 Material measures
Typical design characteristics for material measures are related to the importance of the characteristics in the
use of the equipment. The following non-exhaustive list of reasons and design char
...