The Measuring Instruments (Automatic Catchweighers) Regulations 2006

Allowable Errors U.K.

3.—(1) Under rated operating conditions and in the absence of a disturbance, the error of measurement shall not exceed the maximum permissible error (MPE) value as set out in paragraph 17.

(2) MPE is expressed as a bilateral value of the deviation from the true measurement value.

(3) Under rated operating conditions and in the presence of a disturbance, the performance requirement shall be as set out in paragraph 20(2).

(4) Where the automatic catchweigher is intended to be used in a specified permanent continuous electromagnetic field the permitted performance during the radiated electromagnetic field-amplitude modulated test shall be within MPE.

(5) The manufacturer shall specify the climatic and electromagnetic environments in which the instrument is intended to be used, power supply and other influence quantities likely to affect its accuracy, taking account of the requirements in this Schedule.

(a) Climatic environments—

The manufacturer shall specify the temperature range of the automatic catchweigher. The minimum temperature range is—

(i) 30°C for instruments of accuracy class Y (a) and Y(b);

(ii) 15°C for instruments of accuracy class Y(II); and

(iii) 5°C for instruments of accuracy class Y(I),

and shall be within the upper temperature limit of 70°C and the lower temperature limit of -40°C. The manufacturer shall indicate whether the automatic catchweigher is designed for condensing or non-condensing humidity as well as the intended location for the instrument, i.e. open or closed.

(b) Electromagnetic environments—

(i) Electromagnetic environments are classified into classes E1, E2 or E3 as follows—

E1: This class applies to automatic catchweighers used in locations with electromagnetic disturbances corresponding to those likely to be found in residential, commercial and light industrial buildings.

E2: This class applies to automatic catchweighers used in locations with electromagnetic disturbances corresponding to those likely to be found in other industrial buildings.

E3: This class applies to instruments supplied by the battery of a vehicle. Such instruments shall comply with the requirements of E2 and the following additional requirements—

(aa) voltage reductions caused by energising the starter-motor circuits of internal combustion engines;

(bb) load dump transients occurring in the event of a discharged battery being disconnected while the engine is running.

(ii) The following influence quantities shall be considered in relation with electromagnetic environments—

(aa) voltage interruptions;

(bb) short voltage reductions;

(cc) voltage transients on supply lines and/or signal lines;

(dd) electrostatic discharges;

(ee) radio frequency electromagnetic fields;

(ff) conducted radio frequency electromagnetic fields on supply lines and/or signal lines;

(gg) surges on supply lines and/or signal lines.

(6) Other influence quantities to be considered, where appropriate, are—

(a) voltage variation;

(b) mains frequency variation;

(c) power frequency magnetic fields; and

(d) any other quantity likely to influence in a significant way the accuracy of the instrument.

(7) When carrying out the tests as envisaged in these Regulations, the following paragraphs apply—

(a) Basic rules for testing and the determination of errors—

(i) Essential requirements specified in paragraphs (1) to (4) shall be verified for each relevant influence quantity. These essential requirements apply when each influence quantity is applied and its effect evaluated separately, all other influence quantities being kept relatively constant at their reference value.

(ii) Metrological tests shall be carried out during or after the application of the influence quantity, whichever condition corresponds to the normal operational status of the instrument when that influence quantity is likely to occur.

(b) Ambient humidity—

(i) According to the climatic operating environment in which the automatic catchweigher is intended to be used either the damp heat-steady state (non-condensing) or damp heat cyclic (condensing) test may be appropriate;

(ii) The damp heat cyclic test is appropriate where condensation is important or when penetration of vapour will be accelerated by the effect of breathing. In conditions where non-condensing humidity is a factor the damp-heat steady state is appropriate.