1.1 This guide describes procedures for electronically measuring the following performance-related characteristics of some sections of ultrasonic instruments:

1.1.1 Power Supply Section:

line regulation,
battery discharge time, and
battery charge time.

1.1.2 Pulser Section:

pulse shape,
pulse amplitude,
pulse rise time, pulse length, and
pulse frequency spectrum.

1.1.3 Receiver Section:

vertical linearity,
frequency response,
noise and sensitivity, and
dB controls.

1.1.4 Time Base Section:

horizontal linearity, and
clock (pulse repetition rate).

1.1.5 Gate/Alarm Section:

delay and width,
resolution,
alarm level,
gain uniformity,
analog output, and
back echo gate.

1.2 This guide complements Practice E317, and is not intended for evaluating the performance characteristics of ultrasonic testing instruments on the inspection/production line.

Note 1—No access to internal circuitry is required.

1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. ^REFERENCE:

ASTM Standards:

D2548 Method of Test for Analysis of Oil Soluble Petroleum Sulfonates by Liquid Chromatography; Replaced by D 3712 (Withdrawn)

E317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Instruments and Systems without the Use of Electronic Measurement Instruments

E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations

ISO Standard:

ISO 10012 Measurement Management SystemsRequirements for Measurement Processes and Measuring Equipment

ANSI Standard:

Z540-1 General Requirements for Calibration Laboratories and Measurement and Test Equipment

Other Standard:

IEEE Std. 100, IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms