Register Now for this Course

($795 non-members/$745 members)

A2LA can offer on-site training at your facility for $2500/day plus expenses.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Julie Collins, A2LA Training and Membership Manager, at 301 644 3235 or .

Schedule

Day 1: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Day 2: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

PLEASE NOTE: This class is suitable for those laboratories whose tests and/or calibrations fall within the category of Type IV or V in accordance with the Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Testing Laboratories.

INTRODUCTION:

The course is suitable for all personnel of both Calibration and Testing laboratories. It follows the same approach which the A2LA has used over the past few years , except that the duration has been extended ( on request by a number of participants ) to 2 days.

Every effort is made to eliminate unnecessary complications, to apply the GUM at its simplest level and to take away apparent mystery . Participants who have never drawn up uncertainty budgets before usually develop the required skill well before the end of the class. Others who seek explanations of GUM complexities obtain clarifications expressed in simple terms .
Measurement uncertainty problems are solved by brainstorming methods so as to generate interaction by all participants .

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Duration 2 days
25-30 participants

BENEFITS:

• the GUM is simplified
• Terminology and definitions are clarified.
• The application of statistics is made easy
• Uncertainty Budgets are developed step-by-step
• Contact is made with the laboratory community network
• The ability to draw up uncertainty budgets is established

The theory of statistics as required for the estimation of Type A uncertainties is developed as a tool at the concepts level so as to provide a thorough grounding in the essential aspects of uncertainties as laid down in the Guide to the expression of Uncertainty of Measurement ( the GUM ).

In the treatment of Type B uncertainties , the sources of Type Bs and how to estimate them from outside limits is given considerable attention and the statistical analogies contained in the GUM are explained in detail.

The course includes many examples and exercises of Type A uncertainties , Type B uncertainties , outside limits , correlated and uncorrelated uncertainties etc . so as to give participants plenty of practice in using the GUM method .
The course uses reference literature that is considerably simpler and easier to follow than
the GUM

Course Content:

• Introduction
• the need for uncertainty estimates
• References
• the GUM
• other more user-friendly material
• Definitions
• Estimating uncertainties
• general statistics , distributions , confidence levels , standard deviation
• random, systematic sources
• Type A , Type B methods
• applying corrections
• outside limit estimates
• how many measurements?
• combination of uncertainties
• correlated
• uncorrelated
• expanded uncertainty
• reduced confidence
• Drawing up an uncertainty budgetCompliance, test/calibration to specification, decision RULES
• Contracts
• Traceability of accuracy

Exercises and examples are worked out in all the above areas by the instructors , by the participants alone and by the participants in groups . Some exercises are provided as opportunities for private study.

At the end of the course , participants will be able to produce conservative uncertainty estimates .

Instructors: Richard and Barbara Turner