A Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) is a

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

(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 known ...

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 Unit of measurement, units, crucial in linking human activities. Modern metrology has its roots in the French Revolution's political motivation to stan ...

: ''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 Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) is an alphanumeric code used by the United States Air Force to identify a specific job. Officer (armed forces), Officer AFSCs consist of four characters and Enlisted rank, enlisted AFSCs consist of five charact ...

(AFSC) of air personnel trained to work in the PMEL is

2P0X1 A Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) is a United States Air Force (USAF) facility in which the calibration and repair of test equipment takes place. This practice is also known as metrology: ''the science of measurement''. Metrology ...

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 equipme ...

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 electronics, electronic measuring instrument, instrument, or Electronic component, component of one, that is used for measuring frequency. Frequency counters usually measure the number of cycles of oscillation or pulses p ...

Oscilloscope An oscilloscope (formerly known as an oscillograph, informally scope or O-scope) is a type of electronic test instrument that graphically displays varying voltages of one or more signals as a function of time. Their main purpose is capturing i ...

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

digital multimeter A multimeter (also known as a multi-tester, volt-ohm-milliammeter, volt-ohmmeter or VOM, avometer or ampere-volt-ohmmeter) is a measuring instrument that can measure multiple electrical properties. A typical multimeter can measure voltage, res ...

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

Roles of PMEL technicians

The roles of technicians may vary from various locations but typically are divided by skill level. The

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 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130312042826/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120724-063.pdf , url-status= dead , archive-date= March 12, 2013 , 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