ISO 16063-1:1998

Overview

ISO 16063-1:1998 - Methods for the calibration of vibration and shock transducers - Part 1: Basic concepts - defines the fundamental concepts, terminology and general methods used to calibrate vibration and shock transducers. It covers calibration of continuous-reading rectilinear acceleration, velocity and displacement transducers, describes primary and comparison calibration approaches, and explains how to express measurement uncertainty. This part is the introductory volume in the ISO 16063 series and establishes the baseline requirements and vocabulary for more detailed procedures in subsequent parts.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability: Focus on continuous-reading rectilinear transducers; explicitly excludes rotational transducers and most transducers for force, pressure or strain.
• Terms and definitions: Harmonised with ISO 2041 (vibration and shock vocabulary); key defined concepts include sensitivity, direct response, transverse sensitivity ratio (TSR), reciprocal/unilateral transducers, input/output signals.
• Characteristics to be measured:
  • Sensitivity (magnitude and phase) across frequency - displacement, velocity and acceleration sensitivities as complex quantities.
  • Frequency response and phase response - procedures to detect resonances and phase lag.
  • Non-linearity - amplitude distortion, zero shifts after shock, and stop limits.
  • Spurious responses such as temperature dependency, cable effects and transverse motion.
• Calibration methods:
  • General overview of primary calibration methods (a preferred primary method is identified in clause 5.2.1) and comparison calibration methods (clause 5.3).
  • Practical guidance for temperature-response calibrations (e.g., protect standard transducer so its sensitivity remains constant to within 2%; ensure transverse motion < 25% of axial motion).
• Uncertainty of measurement: Clause 6 and informative Annex A reference the GUM (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement) for reporting calibration uncertainty.

Applications

• Used by accredited calibration laboratories, metrology institutes, instrument manufacturers, test engineers and R&D teams to:
  • Establish and verify sensitivity and phase response of accelerometers, velocimeters and displacement sensors.
  • Define calibration procedures for vibration testing in aerospace, automotive, industrial machinery, and civil engineering.
  • Support quality assurance, compliance testing and traceable measurement systems.
• Helps users select appropriate calibration method (primary vs. comparison) and quantify measurement uncertainty for decision-making and certification.

Related Standards

• ISO 2041:1990 - Vibration and shock - Vocabulary
• ISO 1101:1983 - Geometrical tolerancing (referenced)
• ISO 2954:1975 - Instruments for measuring vibration severity
• GUM (1995) - Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement

ISO 16063-1 provides the essential conceptual framework and measurement characteristics to ensure consistent, traceable calibrations of vibration and shock transducers and to guide implementation of the more detailed methods published in subsequent parts of ISO 16063.