NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999 1999 NO. 110 - SCHEDULE 1 Australian legal units of measurement

Commonwealth Numbered Regulations

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Regulation] [Notes] [Noteup] [Previous] [Download] [Help]

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999 1999 NO. 110 - SCHEDULE 1

Australian legal units of measurement

Part 1 SI base units of measurement

Item	Quantity	Name	Symbol	Definition
1.1	mass	kilogram	kg	The mass of the cylinder: (a) deposited in the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; and (b) declared to be the International Prototype Kilogram by the First General Conference on Weights and Measures held in Paris in 1889.
Note Because the name for the legal unit of measurement for mass contains a prefix, the names for other units of measurement for mass are formed by combining prefixes with gram as described in Part 4 in the way mentioned in guidelines issued by the Commission under subsection 7B (1) of the Act.
1.2	amount of substance	mole	mol	The amount of substance of a system that contains as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kg of carbon 12. When the mole is used, the elementary entities must be specified and may be atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, other particles or specified groups of such particles.
1.3	length	metre	m	The length of the path travelled by light in a vacuum during a time interval of ¹/ _{299 792 458}of a second.
1.4	time	second	s	The duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the 2 hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium 133 atom.
1.5	luminous intensity	candela	cd	The luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of the frequency 540 x 10 ¹²hertz and has a radiant intensity in that direction of ¹/ ₆₈₃watt per steradian.
1.6	thermo-dynamic temperature	kelvin	K	The fraction ¹/ _273.16of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water.
1.7	electric current	ampere	A	The unvarying electric current that, when flowing in each of 2 parallel straight conductors of infinite length of negligible cross-section and separated by a distance of 1 metre from each other in free space, produces between those conductors a force equal to 0.2 × 10 ^-6newton per metre length of conductor.

Part 2 SI derived units of measurement with special names

Item	Quantity	Name	Symbol	Definition
2.1	frequency	hertz	Hz	The frequency of a regularly recurrent phenomenon that repeats itself once each second.
2.2	force	newton	N	The force that, when applied to a body having a mass of 1 kilogram, causes an acceleration of 1 metre per second squared in the direction of the application of the force.
2.3	pressure	pascal	Pa	The pressure resulting from a force of 1 newton applied uniformly over an area of 1 square metre.
2.4	energy, work	joule	J	The work done or the energy expended when a force of 1 newton moves the point of application 1 metre in the direction of that force.
2.5	power, including sound power	watt	W	The power used when work is done or energy is expended at the rate of 1 joule per second.
2.6	electric charge	coulomb	C	The quantity of electric charge that is transferred each second by an electric current of 1 ampere.
2.7	potential difference, electro-motive force	volt	V	The potential difference that exists between 2 points on a conductor carrying an unvarying electric current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between those points is equal to 1 watt.
2.8	electric capacitance	farad	F	The electric capacitance that exists between 2 conductors when the transfer of an electric charge of 1 coulomb from one to the other changes the potential difference between them by 1 volt.
2.9	electric conductance	siemens	S	The electric conductance of a conductor that has an electric resistance of 1 ohm.
2.10	electric inductance	henry	H	The electric inductance of a closed circuit in which an electromotive force of 1 volt is produced when the electric current that traverses the circuit varies uniformly at the rate of 1 ampere per second.
2.11	electric resistance	ohm	[Omega]	The electric resistance between 2 points on a conductor that does not contain any source of electromotive force when a constant potential difference of 1 volt maintained between those points results in a current of 1 ampere in the conductor.
2.12	magnetic flux	weber	Wb	The magnetic flux that, linking a circuit of 1 turn, produces in that circuit an electromotive force of 1 volt if the magnetic flux is reduced to zero at a uniform rate in 1 second.
2.13	magnetic flux density	tesla	T	The magnetic flux density that results if a magnetic flux of 1 weber is uniformly distributed over a plane 1 square metre in area, the direction of the magnetic flux density being perpendicular to that plane.
2.14	luminous flux	lumen	lm	The luminous flux emitted into a solid angle of 1 steradian by an isotropic point source having a luminous intensity of 1 candela.
2.15	illuminance	lux	lx	The illuminance produced at the surface of a sphere having a radius of 1 metre by a point source that: (a) is situated at its centre; and (b) has a luminous intensity of 1 candela in all directions.
2.16	activity of a radionuclide	becquerel	Bq	The activity of a radionuclide that is undergoing 1 transformation per second on average.
2.17	absorbed dose, absorbed dose index, kerma, specific energy imparted	gray	Gy	The absorbed dose, absorbed dose index, kerma or specific energy imparted when 1 joule is imparted to 1 kilogram of irradiated matter
2.18	dose equivalent	sievert	Sv	The sievert is the dose equivalent or dose equivalent index where: (a) an absorbed dose of ionising radiation equal to 1 gray is delivered to a biological material; and (b) the conditions under which the dose is delivered satisfy the formula: Q × N = 1 where: Q is a factor that is the quality factor representing the effect on the detriment of the microscopic distribution of absorbed energy; and N is a factor that is the product of all other modifying factors specified by the International Commission on Radiological Protection as at the commencement of these regulations.
2.19	plane angle	radian	rad	The radian is the plane angle between 2 radii of a circle that cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to the radius.
2.20	solid angle	steradian	sr	The steradian is the solid angle that has its vertex in the centre of a sphere and cuts off an area of the surface of the sphere equal to that of a square with sides of length equal to the radius of the sphere.

Part 3 Non-SI units of measurement used with SI units of measurement

Item	Quantity	Name	Symbol	Definition
3.1	sound power level	decibel	dB	In measuring sound power level in decibels, the number of decibels is the number equal to 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the sound power in the particular case expressed in watts to a reference sound power of 10 ^-12watts.
3.2	sound pressure level	decibel	dB	In measuring sound pressure level in decibels, the number of decibels is the number equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the root-mean-square sound pressure in the particular case expressed in pascals to a reference sound pressure of 2 × 10 ^-5pascals.
3.3	sound intensity level	decibel	dB	In measuring sound intensity level in decibels, the number of decibels is the number equal to 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the sound intensity in the particular case expressed in watts per square metre to a reference sound intensity of 10 ^-12watts per square metre.
3.4	area	hectare	ha	10 ⁴m ²
3.5	energy	electron-volt	eV	The kinetic energy acquired by an electron in passing through a potential difference of 1 volt in vacuum. 1 eV = 1.602 177 33 × 10 ^-19 J
3.6	kinematic viscosity	stokes	St	10 ^-4 m ²/s
3.7	length	nautical mile	n mile	1852 m
3.8	mass	tonne	t	10 ³kg
3.9	mass	metric carat	CM or ct	0.2 × 10 ^-3kg
3.10	plane angle	degree	^°	^[pi] / ₁₈₀rad
3.11	plane angle	minute	^'	¹/ ₆₀ × ^[pi]/ ₁₈₀rad
3.12	plane angle	second	\	¹/ _3 600× ^[pi]/ ₁₈₀rad
3.13	time interval	day	d	86 400 s
3.14	time interval	hour	h	3 600 s
3.15	time interval	minute	min	60 s
3.16	temperature	degree Celsius	°C	A degree Celsius is equal in magnitude to a kelvin. t(°C) = T(K) - 273.15 where: t(°C) is the numerical value of temperature in degrees Celsius. T(K) is the numerical value of temperature in kelvins.
3.17	velocity	knot	kn	¹⁸⁵²/ ₃₆₀₀m/s
3.18	viscosity	poise	P	10 ^-1Pa.s
3.19	volume	litre	L or l	10 ^-3m ³

Part 4 Additional derived units of measurement

Item	Quantity	Name	Symbol	Definition
4.1	mass	gram	g	10 ^-3kg
4.2	length	micron	µm	10 ^-6 m
4.3	area	square metre	m ²	base unit
4.4	area	square kilometre	km ²	10 ^-6 m ²
4.5		square decimetre	dm ²	10 ^-2 m ²
4.6		square centimetre	cm ²	10 ^-4 m ²
4.7		square millimetre	mm ²	10 ^-6 m ²
4.8		square micrometre	µm ²	10 ^-12 m ²
4.9	volume	cubic kilometre	km ³	10 ⁹ m ³
4.10		cubic metre	m ³	base unit
4.11		cubic decimetre	dm ³	10 ^-3m ³
4.12		cubic centimetre	cm ³	10 ^-6 m ³
4.13		cubic millimetre	mm ³	10 ^-9 m ³
4.14		hectolitre	hL or hl	10 ^-1 m ³
4.15		millilitre	mL or ml	10 ^-6 m ³
4.16	density	kilogram per cubic metre	kg/m ³	base unit
4.17	velocity and speed	metre per second	m/s	base unit
4.18	acceleration	metre per second squared	m/s ²	base unit
4.19	luminance	candela per square metre	cd/m ²	base unit
4.20	absorbed dose, absorbed dose index, kerma, specific energy imparted	rad	rad	10 ^-2Gy
4.21	activity of a radionuclide	curie	Ci	3.7 × 10 ¹⁰Bq
4.22	dose equivalent	rem	rem	10 ^-2Sv
Item	Quantity	Name	Symbol	Definition
4.23	exposure	roentgen	R	0.258 × 10 ^-3C/kg
4.24	frequency	revolutions per minute	r/min	60 Hz
4.25		revolutions per second	r/s	1 Hz
4.26	apparent power	volt ampere	VA	V _rmsA _rms
4.27	reactive power	volt ampere reactive	var	V _rmsA _rmssin[phi] where [phi] radians is the phase angle between the electro-motive force (emf) and the current
4.28	apparent energy	volt ampere hour	Vah	V _rmsA _rms h
4.29	reactive energy	volt ampere hour reactive	varh	V _rmsA _rms hsin[phi] where [phi] radians is the phase angle between the electro-motive force (emf) and the current

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 2 Additional legal units of measurement

Part 1 Additional Australian legal units of measurement

Item	Quantity	Name	Symbol	Definition
1.1	length	inch	in	^0.9144/ ₃₆ m
1.2	length	foot	ft	^0.9144/ ₃ m
1.3	mass	troy ounce	oz tr	480 × ^{0.453 592 37}/ ₇₀₀₀kg
1.4	power	horsepower	hp	745.7 W
1.5	pressure	millibar	mb or mbar	100 Pa
1.6	pressure	millimetre of mercury	mmHg	133.322 19 Pa
1.7	velocity	foot per minute	ft/min	^0.3048/ ₆₀ m/s
1.8	work and energy	kilocalorie	kcal	4.1868 × 10 ³J

Part 2 Purposes for which additional legal units of measurement may be used

Item	Name	Purpose
2.1	inch	(a) automotive tyres or rims; or (b) equipment used, or intended for use, in the manufacture or repair of automotive tyres or rims; or (c) precision pipes, precision tubes, precision fittings or precision screw threads; or (d) spare parts for equipment constructed using measurements other than metric measurements; or (e) equipment used, or intended for use, in the manufacture of equipment referred to in paragraph (c) or (d); or (f) defence equipment; or (g) equipment used, or intended for use, in aviation; or (h) equipment used, or intended for use, in the computer industry; or (i) equipment used, or intended for use, in the electronics industry; or (j) components of equipment referred to in subparagraphs (a) to (i) inclusive
2.2	foot	(a) altitude in aviation; or (b) vertical separation in aviation; or (c) submarine depth
2.3	troy ounce	the mass of precious metals
2.4	horsepower	engine ratings: (a) in the aviation industry; or (b) in defence equipment
2.5	millibar	air pressure in the aviation industry
2.6	millimetre of mercury	blood pressure
2.7	foot per minute	vehicular vertical speed
2.8	kilocalorie	food energy values

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 3 SI prefixes

Item	Numerical Value	Name	Symbol
1	10 ²⁴	yotta	Y
2	10 ²¹	zetta	Z
3	10 ¹⁸	exa	E
4	10 ¹⁵	peta	P
5	10 ¹²	tera	T
6	10 ⁹	giga	G
7	10 ⁶	mega	M
8	10 ³	kilo	k
9	10 ²	hecto	h
10	10 ¹	deka	da
11	10 ^-1	deci	d
12	10 ^-2	centi	c
13	10 ^-3	milli	m
14	10 ^-6	micro	µ
15	10 ^-9	nano	n
16	10 ^-12	pico	p
17	10 ^-15	femto	f
18	10 ^-18	atto	a
19	10 ^-21	zepto	z
20	10 ^-24	yocto	y

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 4 Permissible uncertainty — length (State primary and secondary standards)

Column 1 Denomination	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty: State primary standard	Column 3 Permissible uncertainty: State secondary standard
Part 1 Flexible standards
<= 10 metres	0.1 mm	0.2 mm
> 10 metres	0.001%	0.002%
Part 2 Rigid standards
<= 1 metre	0.01 mm	0.02

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 5 Permissible uncertainty — mass (State primary, secondary and tertiary standards)

and subparagraphs 25 (d) (i) and 26 (c) (i))

Column 1 Denomination	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty: State primary standard (in milligrams)	Column 3 Permissible uncertainty: State secondary standard (in milligrams)	Column 4 Permissible uncertainty: State tertiary standard (in milligrams)
50 kilograms		150	200
25 kilograms		75	100
20 kilograms		60	80
10 kilograms	10	30	40
5 kilograms	5	15	20
2 kilograms	2	6	13
1 kilogram	1	3	9
500 grams	0.5	1.5	6.5
200 grams	0.2	0.6	4.2
100 grams	0.1	0.3	3.0
50 grams	0.05	0.15	2.1
20 grams	0.02	0.06	1.3
10 grams	0.01	0.03	0.9
5 grams	0.01	0.03	0.65
2 grams	0.01	0.03	0.42
1 gram	0.01	0.03	0.30
500 milligrams	0.005	0.015	0.21
200 milligrams	0.005	0.015	0.13
100 milligrams	0.005	0.015	0.09
50 milligrams	0.002	0.006	0.06
20 milligrams	0.002	0.006	0.04
10 milligrams	0.002	0.006	0.03
5 milligrams	0.002	0.006	0.02
2 milligrams	0.002	0.006	0.01
1 milligram	0.002	0.006	0.01

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 6 Permissible uncertainty — volume (State secondary and tertiary standards)

26 (b) and subparagraph 26 (c) (ii))

Column 1 Denomination	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty: State secondary standard (in millilitres)	Column 3 Permissible uncertainty: State tertiary standard (in millilitres)
10 000 litres	1000	2000
5 000 litres	500	1000
2 000 litres	200	400
1 000 litres	100	200
500 litres	50	100
200 litres	20	40
100 litres	10	20
50 litres	5	9
20 litres	2	5
15 litres	1.5	4
10 litres	1.0	3
5 litres	0.5	2
2 litres	0.2	1
1 litre	0.1	0.6
500 millilitres	0.05	0.4
250 millilitres	0.02	0.26
200 millilitres	0.02	0.22
100 millilitres	0.01	0.14
50 millilitres	0.005	0.09
25 millilitres	0.005	0.06
20 millilitres	0.005	0.05
10 millilitres	0.005	0.03
5 millilitres	0.005	0.02
2 millilitres	0.005	0.01
1 millilitre	0.002	0.006
0.5 millilitre	0.001	0.003
0.2 millilitre	0.001	0.003
0.1 millilitre	0.001	0.003

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 7 Permissible uncertainty and permissible variation — length (Inspectors' class 1 and
class 2 standards)

Column 1 Denomination	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty: Inspectors' Class 1 standard	Column 3 Permissible variation: Inspectors' Class 1 standard	Column 4 Permissible uncertainty: Inspectors' Class 2 standard	Column 5 Permissible variation: Inspectors' Class 2 standard
Part 1 Flexible standards
<= metres	0.5 mm	1.5 mm	1.5 mm	5.0 mm
> 10 metres	0.005%	0.015%	0.015%	0.05%
Part 2 Rigid standards
<= 500 millimetres	0.05 mm	0.15 mm
> 500 millimetres but <= 1 metre	0.05 mm	0.2 mm
> 1 metre but <= 2 metres	0.07 mm	0.2 mm

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 8 Permissible uncertainty and permissible variation — area (Inspectors' class 1 standards)

32)

Column 1 Denomination not exceeding (in square decimetres)	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty (in square decimetres)	Column 3 Permissible variation (in square decimetres)
35	0.06	0.18
40	0.07	0.20
50	0.08	0.25
60	0.10	0.30
70	0.12	0.35
80	0.13	0.40
90	0.15	0.45
100	0.17	0.50
150	0.25	0.75

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 9 Permissible uncertainty and permissible variation — mass (Inspectors' class 1, class 2 and class 3 standards)

28 (b) and (c) and regulations 29, 32, 33
and 34)

Column 1 Denomin-ation	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty: Inspectors' Class 1 standard (in milligrams)	Column 3 Permissible variation: Inspectors' Class 1 standard (in milligrams)	Column 4 Permissible uncertainty: Inspectors' Class 2 standard (in milligrams)	Column 5 Permissible variation: Inspectors' Class 2 standard (in milligrams)	Column 6 Permissible uncertainty: Inspectors' Class 3 standard (in milligrams)	Column 7 Permissible variation: Inspectors' Class 3 standard (in milligrams)
10 000 kilograms					230 000	700 000
1 000 kilograms					23 300	70 000
500 kilograms					11 600	35 000
200 kilograms					4 600	14 000
100 kilograms					2 300	7 000
50 kilograms	200	200	200	400	1 150	3 500
25 kilograms	100	100	100	200	580	1 750
20 kilograms	80	80	80	160	500	1 550
10 kilograms	40	40	40	80	360	1 100
5 kilograms	20	28	20	55	260	780
2 kilograms	13	18	13	35	165	500
1 kilogram	9	13	9	25	115	350
500 grams	6.5	9	6.5	18	80	250
200 grams	4.2	6	4.2	11	50	160
100 grams	3.0	4	3.0	8	35	110
50 grams	2.1	3	2.1	5
20 grams	1.3	2	1.3	3.5
10 grams	0.9	1.5	0.9	2.5
5 grams	0.65	1.0	0.65	2.0
2 grams	0.42	0.6	0.42	1.0
1 gram	0.30	0.4	0.30	0.8
500 milli-grams	0.21	0.3	0.21	0.6
200 milli-grams	0.13	0.2	0.13	0.35
100 milli-grams	0.09	0.15	0.09	0.25
50 milli-grams	0.06	0.10	0.06	0.20
20 milli-grams	0.04	0.06	0.04	0.10
10 milli-grams	0.03	0.04	0.03	0.08
5 milli-grams	0.02	0.03	0.02	0.06
2 milli-grams	0.01	0.02	0.01	0.035
1 milli-gram	0.01	0.02	0.01	0.025

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 10 Permissible uncertainty and permissible variation — volume (Inspectors' class 1 standards)

regulation 32)

Column 1 Denomination	Column 2 Permissible uncertainty (in millilitres)	Column 3 Permissible variation (in millilitres)
10 000 litres	2000	6000
5 000 litres	1000	3000
2 000 litres	400	1200
1 000 litres	200	600
500 litres	100	300
200 litres	40	120
100 litres	20	60
50 litres	9	27
20 litres	5	15
15 litres	4	12
10 litres	3	9
5 litres	2	6
2 litres	1	3
1 litre	0.6	2
500 millilitres	0.4	1.2
250 millilitres	0.26	0.8
200 millilitres	0.22	0.7
100 millilitres	0.14	0.4
50 millilitres	0.09	0.27
25 millilitres	0.06	0.17
20 millilitres	0.05	0.15
10 millilitres	0.03	0.09
5 millilitres	0.02	0.06
2 millilitres	0.01	0.03
1 millilitre	0.006	0.02
0.5 millilitre	0.003	0.01
0.2 millilitre	0.003	0.01
0.1 millilitre	0.003	0.01

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 11 Conversion factors

Column 1 Item	Column 2 Unit of measurement	Column 3 Unit of measurement	Column 4 Conversion Factor
Length
1	mile	metre	1 609.344
2	chain	metre	22 × 0.914 4
3	yard	metre	0.914 4
4	link	metre	22 × ^{0.914 4}/ ₁₀₀
5	foot	metre	^{0.914 4}/ ₃
6	inch	metre	^{0.914 4}/ ₃₆
Area
7	square yard	square metre	(0.914 4) ²
8	square foot	square metre	^{(0.914 4)2}/ ₉
9	square inch	square metre	^{(0.914 4)2}/( _{9 × 144)}
10	acre	square metre	4 840 × (0.914 4) ²
11	rood	square metre	1 210 × (0.914 4) ²
12	perch	square metre	30.25 × (0.914 4) ²
Mass
13	ton	kilogram	2 240 × 0.453 592 37
14	short ton (sh tn)	kilogram	2 000 × 0.453 592 37
15	hundredweight (cwt)	kilogram	112 × 0.453 592 37
16	quarter (qr)	kilogram	28 × 0.453 592 37
17	stone	kilogram	14 × 0.453 592 37
18	pound (lb)	kilogram	0.453 592 37
19	ounce (oz)	kilogram	^{0.453 592 37}/ ₁₆
20	dram (dr)	kilogram	^{0.453 592 37}/ ₂₅₆
21	grain (gr)	kilogram	^{0.453 592 37}/ _7 000
22	slug	kilogram	32.174 × 0.453 592 37
23	troy ounce (oz tr)	kilogram	480 × ^{0.453 592 37}/ _{7 000}
24	pennyweight (dwt)	kilogram	24 × ^{0.453 592 37}/ _{7 000}
Volume
25	cubic yard (cu yd or yd ³)	cubic metre	(0.914 4) ³
26	cubic foot (cu ft or ft ³)	cubic metre	^{(0.914 4)3}/ ₂₇
27	cubic inch (cu in or in ³)	cubic metre	^{(0.914 4)3}/ _{466 56}
28	gallon (gal)	cubic metre	4.546 09 × 10 ^-3
29	quart (qt)	cubic metre	^{4.546 09 × 10-3}/ ₄
30	pint (pt)	cubic metre	^{4.546 09 × 10-3}/ ₈
31	gill	cubic metre	^{4.546 09 × 10-3}/ ₃₂
32	fluid ounce (fl oz)	cubic metre	^{4.546 09 × 10-3}/ ₁₆₀
33	fluid drachm (fl dr)	cubic metre	^{4.546 09 × 10-3}/ _{1 280}
34	minim (min)	cubic metre	^{4.546 09 × 10-3}/ _{76 800}
Velocity and speed
35	mile per hour (mile/h or mph)	metre per second	^1 609.344/ _{3 600}
36	mile per hour (mile/h or mph)	kilometre per hour	1.609 344
37	foot per minute (ft/min)	metre per second	^{0.304 8}/ ₆₀
Work and energy
38	kilocalorie (kcal)	joule	4.186 8 × 10 ³
39	calorie (cal)	joule	4.186 8
40	British thermal unit (Btu)	joule	1 055. 056
Power
41	horsepower (hp)	watt	745.7
Pressure
42	millimetre of mercury (mm Hg)	pascal	133.322 19
43	millibar (mb or mbar)	pascal	100

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 1999
1999 No. 110 1999
Schedule 12 Maximum permissible errors

Part 1 Verification or certification of measuring instruments

Division 1 Measures

1 Measures of length
The maximum permissible error from zero to any scale mark is:

(a): for lengths up to 500 mm — ±0.5 mm; and
(b): for lengths over 500 mm but not over 2 m — ±1 mm; and
(c): for lengths over 2 m but not over 100 m — ±0.05%.

2 Weights
2.1 Metric weights

	Maximum permissible error (mg)
Denomination	Non-ferrous weights marked `A'	Non-ferrous weights not marked `A'	Iron weights
1 mg	+0.1	-	-
2 mg	+0.2	-	-
5 mg	+0.3	-	-
10 mg	+0.4	-	-
20 mg	+0.6	-	-
50 mg	+0.9	-	-

100 mg	+1.3	-	-
200 mg	+2	-	-
500 mg	+3	-	-

1 g	+4	+60	-
2 g	+5.5	+60	-
5 g	+9	+60	-

10 g	+12.5	+120	-
20 g	+18	+120	-
50 g	+28	+120	-

100 g	+40	+120	+240
200 g	+60	+170	+340
500 g	+90	+270	+540

1 kg	+130	+380	+760
2 kg	+220	+650	+1300
5 kg	+280	+850	+1700

10 kg	+400	+1200	+2400
20 kg	+560	+1700	+3400

2.2 Metric carat weights

Denomination (CM)	Maximum permissible error (mg)
0.005	+0.1
0.01	+0.1
0.02	+0.1
0.05	+0.1
0.1	+0.1
0.2	+0.15
0.5	+0.2
1	+0.2
2	+0.3
5	+0.5
10	+0.7
20	+1
50	+2
100	+2
200	+3
500	+5

3 Measures of volume
3.1 Conical measures

Capacity (L)	Maximum permissible error (mL)
0.5	+5
1	+6
2	+10
4	+15
5	+20
10	+30
20	+45

3.2 Cylindrical line measures

Capacity (L)	Maximum permissible error (mL)
0.5	^±5
1	^±10
2	^±15
5	^±30
10	^±45
20	^±70

3.3 Cylindrical brim measures for alcoholic liquor

Capacity (mL)	Maximum permissible error (mL)
15	+1
30	+2
60	+3.5

3.4 Cylindrical line measures for special purposes

Capacity (L)	Purpose	Maximum permissible error (mL)
12	Ice cream	^±50
45	Milk	^±150

3.5 Drinking and potable measures
Maximum permissible error is:

(a): for line measures — ±3%; and
(b): for brim measures — +6%.

3.6 Pharmaceutical dispensing measures
3.6.1 Conical dispensing measures

Scale Mark (mL)	Maximum permissible error at each scale mark (mL)
1	^±0.08
2	^±0.12
3	^±0.16
4	^±0.20
5	^±0.25
6, 7, 8	^±0.3
9	^±0.4
10	^±0.4
15	^±0.5
20	^±0.6
30	^±0.8
40, 50	^±1.0
60, 70, 80, 90	^±1.5
100, 120, 140	^±2.0
160, 180, 200	^±3.0

3.6.2 Beaker dispensing measures

Capacity (mL)	Maximum permissible error at each scale mark on a particular measure (mL)
500	^±5
1000	^±7

3.7 Lubricating oil measures

Capacity (L)	Maximum permissible error (mL)
0.5	+20
1	+30

3.8 Graduated measuring cylinders

Capacity (mL)	Maximum permissible error (mL)
5	^±0.1
10	^±0.2
25	^±0.5
50	^±1
100	^±1
250	^±2
500	^±5
1000	^±10
2000	^±20

Division 2 Measuring instruments, utility meters

4 Length-measuring instruments
Maximum permissible error is:

(a): for an instrument with analog indication — ±0.5%; and
(b): for an instrument with digital indication — ±0.5%

5 Area-measuring instruments
Instruments must be tested for single-measurement error and mean error.
5.1 Single-measurement error
5.1.1 Instruments with analog indication

Area of templet(s) (dm ²)	Maximum permissible error (dm ²)
Not exceeding 25	±0.5
Exceeding 25	±(0.5 + 1 dm ²for each additional 50 dm ²or part)

5.1.2 Instruments with digital indication
For instruments with digital indication add 0.5 scale interval to the maximum permissible error for an analog instrument.
5.2 Mean error
On analog and digital instruments the mean of
20 measurements must not differ from the denominated value of the templet by more than half the maximum permissible error mentioned in clause 5.1.

Note
The test templets for measuring instruments with digital indication must have values that are an integral number of square decimetres.

6 Farm milk tanks
The maximum permissible error for all scale marks on the dipsticks is ±1 scale interval.
7 Vehicle tanks
7.1 Tanks used only for sullage
The maximum permissible error for each scale mark on a sight tube is ±0.5 scale interval.
7.2 Vehicle tanks except for sullage
The maximum permissible error applicable to a vehicle tank is:

(a): for a tank with a capacity mark — ±0.2% of the indicated volume; and
(b): for a tank with a dipstick — ±0.5 scale interval for each scale mark on the dipstick.

8 Liquid-measuring systems
8.1 Accuracy classes
Liquid-measuring systems are classified into 5 accuracy classes stated in the following table:

Table 1
Accuracy Class	Field of application
0.3	Measuring systems on pipeline
0.5	All measuring systems if not differently stated elsewhere in this table, in particular: * fuel dispensers for motor vehicles (except LPG dispensers) * measuring systems on road tankers for liquids of low viscosity * measuring systems for the unloading of ships' tanks and rail and road tankers * measuring systems for milk * measuring systems for loading ships * measuring systems for refuelling aircraft
1.0	Measuring systems (except LPG dispensers) for liquefied gases under pressure measured at a temperature equal to or above -10°C LPG dispensers for motor vehicles Measuring systems normally in class 0.3 or 0.5 but used for liquids: (a) the temperature of which is less than -10°C or greater than 50°C; or (b) the dynamic viscosity of which is higher than 1000 mPa.s; or (c) the maximum volumetric flow rate of which is not higher than 20 L/h
1.5	Measuring systems for liquefied carbon dioxide Measuring systems (except LPG dispensers) for liquefied gases under pressure measured at a temperature below -10°C
2.5	Measuring systems for liquids at a temperature below -153°C

8.2 Maximum permissible errors
8.2.1 For volumes of at least 2L, and subject to subclause 8.2.3, the maximum permissible relative errors, positive or negative, on volume indications are specified in the following table:

Table 2
	Accuracy classes
	0.3	0.5	1.0	1.5	2.5
A (see 8.3)	0.3%	0.5%	1.0%	1.5%	2.5%
B (see 8.3)	0.2%	0.3%	0.6%	1.0%	1.5%

8.2.2 For volumes smaller than 2L, and subject to subclause 8.2.3, the maximum permissible errors, positive or negative, on volume indications are specified in the following table:

Table 3
Measured quantity	Maximum permissible errors
>= 1L, < 2L	Value fixed in table 2, applied to 2L
>= 0.4L, < 1L	2 × the value fixed in table 2
>= 0.2L, < 0.4L	2 × the value fixed in table 2, applied to 0.4L
>= 0.1L, < 0.2L	4 × the value fixed in table 2
< 0.1L	4 × the value fixed in table 2, applied to 0.1L

8.2.3 However, whatever the measured quantity may be, the magnitude of the maximum permissible error is given by the greater of the following 2 values:

* absolute value of the maximum permissible error given in table 2 or 3

* minimum specified volume deviation.

For minimum measured quantities greater than or equal to 2L, the minimum specified volume deviation (E _min) is calculated using the formula:

E _min= 2 × V _min× A /100
where:
V _minis the minimum measured quantity.
A is the numerical value specified in line A of table 2 for the relevant accuracy class.
For minimum measured quantities less than 2L, the minimum specified volume deviation is twice the value specified in table 3 and related to line A of table 2.

Note
The minimum specified volume deviation is an absolute maximum permissible error.

8.3 Conditions for applying maximum permissible errors
This clause applies to volume indications at metering conditions (see clause 8.4 for converted indications).
8.3.1 Maximum permissible errors in line A of table 2 apply to complete measuring systems, for all liquids, all temperatures and all pressures of the liquids, and all flow rates for which the system is intended to be, or has been approved, without any adjustment between the various tests, for:

* pattern approval; and

* initial certification or verification in one stage or the second stage of a 2-stage initial certification or verification; and

* subsequent certifications and verifications.

8.3.2 Maximum permissible errors in line B of table 2 apply to:

* pattern approval of a meter, for all liquids, all temperatures and all pressures of the liquids, and all flow rates for which the system is intended to be approved; and

* initial certification or verification (first stage of the verification) of a meter intended to be fitted in a measuring system subject to a 2-stage initial certification or verification.

Note 1
An adjustment is allowed for each liquid, but in this case the pattern approval certificate provides information on the capability of the meter to measure all the liquids without particular precautions. For example, the meter may be allowed only for measuring 1 liquid in normal use, or an automatic device that provides an adaptation to each liquid may be necessary.

Note 2 If the meter is provided with an adjustment or correction device, it is sufficient to verify that an error curve is within a range of twice the value specified in line B of table 2.

8.3.3 When stated in the pattern approval certificate, a 1-stage initial certification or verification or the second stage of a 2-stage initial certification or verification of a measuring system intended to measure 2 or more liquids may be carried out with 1 liquid only or with a liquid different from the intended liquids. In this case, and if necessary, the pattern approval certificate will provide a smaller range or a shift for maximum permissible errors, so that subclause 8.3.1 is fulfilled by the measuring system for all intended liquids.
When stated in the pattern approval certificate, the initial certification or verification of a meter of a measuring system intended to measure 2 or more liquids may be carried out with 1 liquid only or with a liquid different from the intended liquids. In this case, and if necessary, the pattern approval certificate will provide a smaller range or a shift for maximum permissible errors, so that subclause 8.3.2 is fulfilled by the meter for all intended liquids.
These considerations may be extended to a measuring system or meter intended to measure only 1 liquid but certified or verified with another liquid.
8.4 Provisions for converted indications
8.4.1 Maximum permissible errors on conversion devices
When a conversion device for converting into a volume at base conditions or into a weight (including all its components and associated measuring instruments) is certified or verified separately, maximum permissible errors on converted indications due to the conversion device, positive or negative, are equal to ± (A-B), A and B being the values specified in table 2. However, the magnitude of the maximum permissible error must not be less than the greater of the 2 following values:

* one-half scale interval of the indicating device for converted indications;

* half of the value corresponding to the minimum specified volume deviation.

8.4.2 Accuracy of associated measuring instruments
When certified or verified separately, associated measuring instruments must exhibit an accuracy at least as good as the values in table 4.
These values apply to the indications of associated measuring instruments taken into account for the calculation of the converted quantity and include errors mentioned in subclause 8.4.3.

Table 4
Maximum permissible errors on measuring:	Accuracy classes of the measuring system
	0.3	0.5	1.0	1.5	2.5
Temperature	±0.3°C	±0.5°C	±1°C
Pressure	Less than 1 MPa: ±50 kPa between 1 and 4 MPa: ±5% more than 4 MPa: ±200 kPa
Density	±1 kg/m ³	±2 kg/m ³	±5 kg/m ³

8.4.3 Accuracy for calculation of characteristic quantities of the liquid
When the calculating function of a conversion device is certified or verified separately, the maximum permissible error for the calculation of each characteristic quantity of the liquid, positive or negative, is equal to ²/ ₅the value fixed in subclause 8.4.2. However the magnitude of the maximum permissible error must not be less than one-half scale interval of the indicating device for converted indications.
8.4.4 Direct certification or verification of a converted weight indication
When a conversion device is only associated with, or included in, a meter and when the converted weight indication is verified directly by comparison to weight standards (for example, by using a weighing machine) the maximum permissible errors on the converted indication, positive or negative, are calculated using the formula:

MPE = ± [ B ²+ ( A - B ) ²] ^1/2
where:
MPE is maximum permissible error.
A and B are the values specified in table 2.
When a conversion device is included in a measuring system, maximum permissible errors of line A of table 2 apply to the converted weight indication. However in any case, the magnitude of maximum permissible errors must not be less than the weight corresponding to the minimum specified volume deviation.
8.4.5 Direct certification or verification of a converted volume indication
Standards delivering directly the true value of converted volume indications are not available for general uses. Such standards only exist for a given liquid or for very similar liquids. When such standards are available, provisions in subclause 8.4.4 may be applied by analogy.
8.5 Maximum permissible errors on calculators
Maximum permissible errors on quantities of liquid indications applicable to calculators, positive or negative, when they are tested separately, are equal to ¹/ ₁₀the maximum permissible error defined in line A of table 2. However, the magnitude of the maximum permissible error must not be less than one half-scale interval of the measuring system in which the calculator is intended to be included.
9 Weighing instruments
9.1 Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 non-automatic instruments
The maximum permissible errors for increasing and decreasing loads, expressed in terms of certification or verification scale interval (e), with an instrument adjusted to zero with ±0.25e at no load, are:

Maximum permissible	Load
error	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Class 4
^±0.5e	0 to 50 000e	0 to 5 000e	0 to 500e	0 to 50e
^±1e	> 50 000e, <= 200 000e	> 5 000e <= 20 000e	> 500e <= 2 000e	> 50e <= 200e
^±1.5e	> 200 000e	> 20 000e	> 2 000e	> 200e

For digital indication or printing, a permissible error does not include the positive or negative error arising from rounding up or down to the nearest whole number of scale intervals.
9.2 Unclassified non-automatic instruments
9.2.1 Unclassified even-arm scales

Capacity	Maximum permissible error
		Beam scales	Counter
	Balances	Class B	Class C	scales
5g	±4 mg	±10 mg	-	-

25 g	±6 mg	±15 mg	±60 mg	-
50 g	-	±20 mg	-	-

100 g	-	±30 mg	-	-
250 g	-	±60 mg	±240 mg	-
500 g	±12 mg	±100 mg	±400 mg	±1.5 g
1 kg	-	±150 mg	±600 mg	±2.5 g
2 kg	-	±250 mg	±1 g	±3.5 g
5 kg	±70 mg	±500 mg	±2 g	±6 g

10 kg	-	± 1 g	±4 g	±8 g
15 kg	-	±1.5 g	±6 g	±10 g
25 kg	±120 mg	±2.5 g	±10 g	±15 g
50 kg	-	±4.5 g	±20 g	±25 g

The maximum permissible error for even-arm scales must be half the amount specified in the table for loads up to half capacity and the whole amount specified for loads from half to maximum capacity.
9.2.2 Other unclassified instruments
The maximum permissible errors for self-indicating weighing instruments and graduated non-self-indicating weighing instruments, with an instrument adjusted to zero within ±0.25 scale interval at no load must be:

(a): ±0.5 scale interval for the first 500 scale intervals; and
(b): ±1 scale interval over 500 and up to 2000 scale
(c): ±1.5 scale intervals over 2000 scale intervals.

9.3 Belt weighers

Class	Maximum permissible error
1	±0.5%
2	±1.0%

10 Automatic rail-weighbridges
10.1 Accuracy classes
Automatic rail-weighbridges are divided into the following
4 accuracy classes:

(a): 0.2;
(b): 0.5;
(c): 1;
(d): 2.

An automatic rail-weighbridge cannot be in the same accuracy class for wagon weighing as for train weighing.
10.2 Maximum permissible errors
10.2.1 Weighing-in motion
The maximum permissible errors for weighing-in-motion are set out in table 1.

Table 1
Accuracy class	Percentage of weight of single wagon or total train, as appropriate
	Initial certification or verification	In-service
0.2	±0.10%	±0.2%
0.5	±0.25%	±0.5%
1	±0.50%	±1.0%
2	±1.00%	±2.0%

On initial certification or verification of an automatic rail-weighbridge weighing coupled wagons, the errors on not more than 10% of the weighing results taken from 1 or more passes of the test train may exceed the appropriate maximum permissible error given in table 1 but must not exceed twice that value.
10.2.2 Static weighing
The maximum permissible errors on static weighing for increasing or decreasing loads must be the appropriate values in table 2.

Table 2
Maximum permissible errors	Load ( m ) expressed in numbers of scale intervals
±0.5 d	0 <= m <= 500
±1.0 d	500 <= m <= 2 000
±1.5 d	2 000 <= m <= 10 000

10.3 Minimum capacity
The minimum capacity must not be less than 1 t, and not greater than the value of the result of the minimum wagon weight divided by the number of partial weighings.
10.4 Minimum wagon weight
The minimum wagon weight must not be less than 50 d .

Part 2 Reverification or in-service inspection of measures and measuring instruments

The maximum permissible errors (where v is the absolute value of the maximum permissible error at certification or verification) are specified in the following table for recertification of measures and measuring instruments for use for trade, except utility meters.

	Maximum permissible error
	Deficiency	Excess
Measure of length	v	v
Measure of weight	0.5v	v
Measures of volume Glass measures Lines measures Brim measures	v 0	v v
Metal measures Line measures Brim measures	2v v	2v v
Length-measuring instruments	2v	2v
Area-measuring instruments	2v	2v
Farm milk tanks	v	v
Vehicle tanks	v	v
Liquid-measuring instruments	v	v
Weighing instruments	2v	2v
Weighing-in-motion	2v	2v

1. Made by the Governor-General on 9 June 1999, and notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 June 1999.

AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback

Commonwealth Numbered Regulations