A measurement uncertainty budget is a document that represents the uncertainty of a measurement and shows the contributions of various factors that contribute to the overall uncertainty of the measurement. It is an important tool in metrology to ensure that measurements are reliable and reproducible.
The measurement uncertainty budget contains a list of all uncertainty contributors that must be considered in the measurement. These can include uncertainties due to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, or air pressure, as well as uncertainties due to measurement instruments, measurement processes, or measurement methods. Each uncertainty contributor is quantified by calculating a measurement uncertainty. The measurement uncertainty is typically expressed as an expanded measurement uncertainty range (EMU), which indicates the uncertainty of the measurement with a certain level of confidence.
To create a measurement uncertainty budget, a detailed analysis of the measurement must first be performed to identify all relevant uncertainty contributors. Then, the measurement uncertainties are calculated and included in the budget. The uncertainty contributors can be presented either as standard deviations or uncertainty intervals, depending on what is most appropriate.
A measurement uncertainty budget is an important part of the quality assurance system. It serves to ensure that measurements are reliable and reproducible, and that the results can be interpreted correctly. An accurate understanding of the uncertainties of a measurement is also important for decision-making, as it helps determine whether a measurement value is acceptable or whether further action is needed to improve the measurement accuracy.
Overall, the measurement uncertainty budget is an important tool for metrology to ensure that measurements are reliable and reproducible. It helps to quantify and consider the uncertainties of various factors that contribute to the overall uncertainty of the measurement. A measurement uncertainty budget is an essential tool for anyone who needs to perform or evaluate measurements.