Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory
Encyclopedia
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. The Air Force Specialty Code
(AFSC) of airmen 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.
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 (Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment). 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
, Oscilloscope
, Synthesized Signal Generator and power sensor. While K1/K8 would maintain digital multimeter, high voltage probe 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,K7 Physical Dimensional Test Equipment
K9 Automated Test Equipment
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
(USAF) facility in which the calibration
Calibration
Calibration is a comparison between measurements – one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one device and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device....
and repair of test equipment takes place. This practice is also known as metrology
Metrology
Metrology is the science of measurement. Metrology includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. The word comes from Greek μέτρον , "measure" + "λόγος" , amongst others meaning "speech, oration, discourse, quote, study, calculation, reason"...
: the science of measurement. The Air Force Specialty Code
Air Force Specialty Code
The Air Force Specialty Code is an alphanumeric code used by the United States Air Force to identify an Air Force Specialty . Officer AFSCs consist of four characters and enlisted AFSCs consist of five characters. A letter prefix or suffix may be used with an AFSC when more specific identification...
(AFSC) of airmen 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.
Calibration Sections
Typically Electronic test equipmentElectronic test equipment
Electronic test equipment is used to create signals and capture responses from electronic Devices Under Test . In this way, the proper operation of the DUT can be proven or faults in the device can be traced and repaired...
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 (Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment). 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
Frequency counter
A frequency counter is an electronic instrument, or component of one, that is used for measuring frequency. Frequency is defined as the number of events of a particular sort occurring in a set period of time. Frequency counters usually measure the number of oscillations or pulses per second in a...
, Oscilloscope
Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is a type of electronic test instrument that allows observation of constantly varying signal voltages, usually as a two-dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences using the vertical or 'Y' axis, plotted as a function of time,...
, Synthesized Signal Generator and power sensor. While K1/K8 would maintain digital multimeter, high voltage probe 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,K7 Physical Dimensional Test Equipment
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 CFETP http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/af/cfetp/cfetp2p0x1/cfetp2p0x1.pdf]].| SKILL LEVEL | TYPICAL PMEL ROLE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Student |
| 3 | Apprentice ; Trainee |
| 5 | Journeyman; Trainer |
| 7 | Craftsman; Supervisor |
| 9 | Superintendent |
External links
- http://www.afmetcal.af.mil/ Air Force Metrology Homepage
- http://www.pmcxyz.com/ Precision Measuring Corporation Homepage