The established metrology fields are geometrical (length), thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic, radio, time and frequency, acoustics, optics, chemistry and ionizing radiation — the “ten disciplines”.
Geometrical metrology describes shape and spatial position: wavelength, line scales, gratings, inductosyns, gauge blocks, polygons and angle. Rulers, steel tapes and GNSS used in defence and transport all rest on length metrology.
Thermal metrology covers temperature, pressure, vacuum, flow and level used in process industry. Verification of liquid-in-glass and infrared thermometers affects whether a patient is judged febrile — as in the SARS response.
Mechanical metrology covers mass, force, density, capacity, torque, mechanical power, pressure, vacuum, flow, displacement, speed, acceleration and hardness — fair scales, electronic price-computing scales, water and gas meters and taxi meters.
Electromagnetic metrology covers DC and AC impedance and quantity of electricity, precision AC/DC instruments, ADC/DAC, magnetic flux, magnetic materials, magnetic instruments and quantum metrology — including the accuracy of household energy meters.
Radio metrology covers electromagnetic-energy quantities (voltage, current, power, field strength, power-flux density, noise-power spectral density); signal parameters (frequency, wavelength, AM, deviation, distortion, waveform); component and material parameters (impedance/admittance, resistance/conductance, inductance and capacitance, Q, complex permittivity, loss angle); and network parameters (VSWR, reflection coefficient, attenuation, gain, phase shift). Examples include the accuracy of a service multimeter and mobile-phone transmit power.
Time and frequency metrology measures frequency and time interval for telecoms, aerospace, defence, electronics, appliances, medical, research, TV and services — time signals and billing timers for phones and parking.
Acoustics metrology measures sound pressure, intensity, power, loudness and hearing loss — noise, traffic and environmental noise, building acoustics and electroacoustics — supporting research, defence and the economy.
Optical metrology covers sources, detectors, media, components and instruments (natural, artificial and laser sources): radiant intensity, irradiance and luminance, such as lamp and automotive-lamp brightness and colour.
Chemical metrology measures heat, viscosity, density, conductivity, turbidity and related properties — drinking-water purity and harmful substances in food.
Ionizing-radiation metrology measures parameters of α, β, γ, X and neutron radiation in medicine, industry, agriculture, defence and environmental monitoring — medical X-ray and CT, cobalt-60 therapy, industrial radiography, nuclear belt weighers, food irradiation, water monitoring and security scanners.
Zhongce Metrology Center is a leading professional metrology laboratory in the Pearl River Delta and South China, covering length, mechanics, electricity, chemistry and thermal calibration — a partner for quality service.
Instrument calibration in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Guangzhou and Zhongshan — Shenzhen Zhongce Metrology Laboratory.
