The Standard 12 Dec07

Vol. 21, No.
4 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality December 2007
Also in this issue:
• Metrology Education and Training—Taking the Initiative
• ANSI/NCSL Z540.1‐1994 Withdrawn
• Instituting a Training Culture
• What Does True RMS Mean?
• The Learning Curve
• CCT Program Update
• Plus AB Liaison Report and news releases
The Standard TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vol 21, No. 4, December 2007 Chair’s Corner ................................................................................. 3
Instituting a Training Culture.......................................................... 4
Managing Editor and Publisher
Jay L. Bucher
ANSI/NCSL Z540.1-1994 Withdrawn ........................................... 5
6700 Royal View Dr. CCT Program Update ..................................................................... 6
De Forest, WI 53532-2775 The Learning Curve ........................................................................ 7
Voice: 608-846-6968 Metrology Education &Training - Taking the Initiative................. 9
Email: yokota-69@charter.net What Does True RMS Mean? ....................................................... 11
AB Liaison Report ........................................................................ 14
Advertising Ethics - The Final Frontier ............................................................ 18
Submit your draft copy to Jay Bucher, with a MQD Officers and Committee Chairs .......................................... 29
request for a quotation. Indicate size desired. MQD Regional Councilors ........................................................... 30
Since The Standard is published ‘in-house’ RABQSA News Release ............................................................... 32
the requester must submit a photo or graphic ACLASS News Release…………………………………… ........ 33
of their logo, if applicable. The following
rates apply:
ANAB News Release .................................................................... 35
Business card size ............................ $100
1/8 page ........................................... $150
1/4 page ............................................ $200 FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR/PUBLISHER
1/3 page ............................................ $250 There’s a new Chief in town, and this one happens to be a
½ page ............................................. $300 Certified Calibration Technician. Senior Master Sergeant
Full page .......................................... $550 Don Erden, superintendent of the U. S. Air Force Metrol-
Advertisements will be accepted on a ‘per
issue’ basis only; no long-term contracts will
ogy and Calibration program laboratory certification team,
be available at present. Advertising must be was recently notified of his selection for promotion to
clearly distinguished as an ad. Ads must be Chief Master Sergeant. This is the highest enlisted rank in
related to measurement quality, quality of the Air Force, with only the top 1% of the enlisted force
measurement, or a related quality field. Ads selected for demonstrating outstanding leadership abili-
must not imply endorsement by the Measure- ties. Another distinction in this honor is Chief Erden is the
ment Quality Division or ASQ. first CCT-certified active duty Chief. These are well de-
served accomplishments reflecting a career of dedicated service to Air
Letters to the Editor Force metrology. Congratulations Chief Erden! (Some information pro-
The Standard welcomes letters from mem- vided by AFMETCAL team members)
bers and subscribers. Letters should clearly
state whether the author is expressing opin- This edition of The Standard culminates three years
ion or presenting facts with supporting infor- of publishing electronically, with four on-time quar-
mation. Commendation, encouragement,
constructive critique, suggestions, and alter-
terly postings per year. I wish to thank all of my
native approaches are accepted. If the con- contributors for sending in their articles as re-
tent is more than 200 words, we may delete quested, and for their continued support.
portions to hold that limit. We reserve the
right to edit letters and papers. The Standard is published quarterly by the Measurement Quality Division of
ASQ; deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. Text infor-
Information for Authors mation intended for publication can be sent via electronic mail as an attachment in
The Standard publishes papers on the qual- MS Word format (Times New Roman, 11 pt). Use single spacing between sen-
ity of measurements and the measurement of tences. Graphics/illustrations must be sent as a separate attachment, in jpg format.
quality at all levels ranging from relatively Photographs of MQD activities are always welcome. Publication of articles, prod-
simple tutorial material to state-of-the-art. uct releases, advertisements or technical information does not imply endorsement
Papers published in The Standard are not by MQD or ASQ. While The Standard makes every effort to ensure the accuracy
referred in the usual sense, except to ascer- of articles, the publication disclaims responsibility for statements of fact or opinion
tain that facts are correctly stated and to as-
sure that opinion and fact are clearly distin- made by the authors or other contributors. Material from The Standard may not be
guished one from another. The Editor re- reproduced without permission of ASQ. Copyrights in the United States and all
serves the right to edit any paper. Please sin- other countries are reserved. Website information: MQD’s homepage can be found
gle space after sentences and use Times New at http://www.asq.org/measure. © 2007 ASQ, MQD. All rights reserved.
Roman, 12 pt font.
MQD Page 3
CHAIR’S CORNER and potential members and is an important

“storefront” for the division. The changes coming
By Dilip Shah in the future from the ASQ HQ will ensure that the
Many activities have web site will provide timely information to the
taken place since the members.
last issue of The
Standard was pub- We are already partnering with another organiza-
lished. tion (NCSL International) of common interest in
Education and Training efforts. The E&T training
I had the pleasure of efforts within ASQ are also taking place and the
representing the divi- Body Of Knowledge (BOK) in specific areas are
sion at ASQ’s “Ideas starting to gel. Speaking of BOK, please do not
to Action” session in forget to participate in the CCT exam BOK review
September. This was which will start in the year 2009. Your participa-
a two day forum that tion at various levels will be appreciated and make
brought ASQ volun- the CCT exam even more recognized and re-
teers from both sections and divisions to brain- spected.
storm ideas for defining the future of ASQ, what
our current problems are and any other issues in a The division is always looking for new volunteers
very civil and relaxed setting. It was also an oppor- to lead the division. We need new blood so they
tunity to network with other volunteer member can bring fresh, new ideas for the future. We know
leaders to share ideas and best practices. that the same volunteers can only sustain the divi-
sion for so long. We want to make sure that the
In November, Craig (Woody) Niemann (MQD division is thriving on new ideas to keep up with
Chair-Elect) and I attended the ASQ Division Af- times. Please let myself or any of the officers know
fairs Council (DAC) meeting and ASQ volunteer if you would like to volunteer for a leadership role.
training. I always question why I need to attend the We will make sure that we will mentor and nurture
volunteer training since I have already had it be- the new volunteers so they can benefit from the
fore. But, as you will read in this issue of the stan- leadership skills in their endeavors.
dard, training is important. We live in a world
which is very dynamic and we need to be trained Lastly, we are in the Holiday season months. It is a
for new situations and emerging technology. I did time to rest, reflect and celebrate. Our international
learn a few things from the training sessions on membership spans many different faiths and be-
managing the division and on leadership skills. liefs. We had the “Eid” in October, “Diwali” and
“Thanksgiving” in November, “Hanukkah” and
The DAC meeting was well conducted and produc- “Christmas” in December and the Chinese New
tive. Productive in the sense that we (divisions) Year in February of 2008. My best wishes to all of
have had many division web site related issues you and your families. Happy New Year and best
with timely postings and control. I see light at the wishes for peace and prosperity.
end of the tunnel from what was shared at the DAC
meeting. It is always good to see solutions emerg- Sincerely,
ing from the concerns voiced in the past. Besides
The Standard, our method of communicating with Dilip Shah
the members is through the web site. The Standard Chair, Measurement Quality Division
comes out four times a year (my heartfelt thanks E-mail: emc3solu@aol.com
and congratulations to Jay Bucher for achieving
this timely feat three years in a row!) and provides
for a magazine newsletter format with good arti-
cles. The web site provides for timely year around
information on activities of interest to members
Vol. 21, No. 4 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality December 2007
MQD Page 4
CHAIR-ELECT’S COLUMN
By Craig A. Niemann, SMSgt, USAF
Instituting a Training Culture

How much does your organization invest in training? The cost of a formal metrology
class can run from several hundred to several thousand dollars. However, there is
another way to conduct training, which makes the cost of a formal class pale in com-
parison, because instead of spending dollars on an external organization, time is in-
vested internally. The time of more experienced people will pay great benefits be-
cause they are training the newer technicians and typically have a stake in the techni-
cal competence of the organization. Over the past several years, a significant change
in the available workforce has dictated a philosophical change in how a calibration
laboratory recruits and trains its workforce. The number of PMEL technicians gradu-
ating from military schools decreased sharply and the government converted many
calibration activities to contract operations. Because of the reduced labor pool and an increased number
of open positions, organizations could not rely solely on the personnel separating or retiring from mili-
tary service. Recent assessments at USAF calibration laboratories have shown there are organizations
which truly embraced the idea of training their technicians from the ground up. The evaluations per-
formed on these “home-grown” technicians showed how much the organization embraced training. De-
spite not attending a PMEL basic course, each was both able to perform and explain the calibration
methods and procedures. The assessment results proved the culture of the laboratory was focused on
training the people, and most importantly, training them right. One technician in particular was a truck
driver until a few months before the evaluation. This individual confidently displayed the right attitude
and aptitude; all the laboratory had to do was give him the necessary skills. Not every laboratory can
make this happen on such a large scale, but the road to finishing a marathon starts by taking the first
step.
Individualize the training: The most important training does not happen in a classroom, but rather in
front of the inspection, measuring, and test equipment (IM&TE) requiring calibration. Without a doubt,
individualized training gives the best chance for success. The training where an experienced technician
sits down with the trainee in front of a piece of IM&TE and explains the calibration methods and proce-
dures to a trainee is of utmost importance because the trainer can react to the particular learning style of
the trainee.
Make them look it up: The trainee should have a book, or at least have done some research, whenever
they ask a question. Often, a quick answer is given to a technician, so they can solve the problem and
move on. Usually this is done to save time; but it results in an over-reliance on the primary trainer or
lead technician. Additionally, the old adage about teaching a man to fish comes into play. A training cul-
ture should create technicians that learn to research and solve their own problems.
Let them make mistakes: Do not be afraid to let people make mistakes. Letting a person spend the extra
time to perform a complicated alignment also allows them to learn through their own mistakes. No one
was born with an inherent understanding of how to align frequency response on that old spectrum ana-
lyzer. Performing the complicated processes allows the technicians to gain a deeper understanding and
sacrificing the time now helps develop and train technicians for the future. A training culture allows peo-
ple to seek out these opportunities.
(Continued on page 5)
MQD Page 5
(Continued from page 4)
At the same laboratory, all three of these factors were evident. During the audit of an item, one parame-
ter was not within the calibration tolerances. The technician proceeded to take all the right steps; first, he
performed a thorough research of all the data. After that did not yield anything, he finally called his
trainer. The trainer came down and looked at the problem and after observing this for a few minutes, it
was clear the two had spent a lot of time together. Lastly, the trainer corrected a setup problem, bringing
the unit within specifications. He then explained to the technician why the setup had to be changed and
how to identify the problem the next time. All these events, along with numerous other examples sup-
port that this organization embraced a training culture. The steps above are just of few of the things an
organization can do to set them up for success. Many others are not addressed so if there are any you
would like to share, please feel free to contact me and I will include them in a future article.
SMSgt Woody Niemann

craig.niemann@afmetcal.af.mil
ANSI/NSCL Z540.1-1994 (R2002) Withdrawn July 2007

By Mike Boothe
ASQ Senior member, CCT
Quality Manager
Cal Lab Co., Inc.
www.callabco.com
Maybe you are already aware of this and maybe you are not? “ANSI/NSCL Z540.1-1994 (R2002)
American National Standard for Calibration – Calibration Laboratories and Measuring and Test Equip-
ment – General Requirements” was officially withdrawn in July 2007. This consists of Part I – General
Requirements for the Competence of Calibration Laboratories and Part II – Quality Assurance Require-
ments for Measuring and Test Equipment (M&TE).
Here is the short history about this standard: This standard is essentially a combination of the old DOD
MIL-STD-45662A (which was cancelled on January 20, 1995), the consensus national standard for the
U.S., and ISO Guide 25:1990, the primary document recognized by the international community to en-
sure calibration laboratory competence (which was replaced by ISO/IEC 17025:1999 on December 15,
1999).
ANSI/NSCL Z540.1-1994 (R2002) Part I has been replaced by “ANSI/ISO/IEC 17025:2005 General
Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories“ in July 2007. ANSI/NSCL
Z540.1-1994 (R2002) Part II has been replaced by “ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 American National Stan-
dard for Calibration – Requirements for the Calibration of Measuring and Test Equipment“ on August 3,
2006.
NCSLI published their “Handbook for the Interpretation and Application of ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994”
on October 1995. This will soon be replaced by a new publication “Handbook for the Interpretation and
Application of ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006” sometime early in 2008.
So the next time your customer requests a calibration to Z540.1 please inform them of this
change. They really want an accredited calibration to ISO 17025:2005.
MQD Page 6
CCT UPDATE
Christopher L. Grachanen
The CCT body of knowledge (BOK), like all other ASQ Certifica-
tions BOKs, is required to be reviewed and updated every 5 years.
ASQ administrators have just informed me the CCT BOK review is
scheduled to start in early 2009. I should have the ‘roadmap’ for re-
viewing the CCT BOK by the Fall of 2008 and will disseminate the
scheduled dates for the workshops and other activities as soon as I get
them.
Upcoming CCT exam dates and application dates are as follows;
Application
Exam Date Deadline Location
Registration ASQ Local Sections and
December 1, 2007
Closed International Sites
March 12, 2008 February 8, 2008 Anaheim, California

Measurement Science Conference
Houston, Texas
May 4, 2008 March 21, 2008 World Conference on Quality
and Improvement
June 7, 2008 April 4, 2008 ASQ Local Sections and

International Sites
December 6, 2008 October 3, 2008 ASQ Local Sections and

International Sites
June 6, 2009 April 10, 2009 ASQ Local Sections and

International Sites
December 5, 2009 October 9, 2009 ASQ Local Sections and

International Sites
Note: The CCT exam will be offered at the upcoming 2008 Measurement Science Conference (MSC) in
Anaheim, CA (a first for MSC).
MQD Page 7
THE LEARNING CURVE September 15, 2007; one arrived on September 27,
2007. All four named Ferdinand as the sole inven-
By Phil Painchaud tor and a sole inventor was implied by my mis-
worded question. What do I do? I had three win-
This is the fifty-second install-
ners who are technically correct because of my er-
ment in an uninterrupted con-
ror! I did the only thing that I would expect a true
tiguous series of prosaic disser-
professional to do, I mailed three one hundred dol-
tations charted to be on the gen-
lar notes, one each to Mr. ELIAS MONREAL of
eral subject of Metrology Edu-
EOS Technologies, of Tucson, AZ; Ms. SUSAN
cation. We are now commenc-
M. ARMSTRONG of Pequot Tool & Mfg, Inc., of
ing our sixteenth year of writ-
Pequot Lakes, MN; and Ms. LYNN KELLER of
ing these open letters to our es-
Benchmark Electronics, of Winona, MN. These
teemed Boss, the Managing
were all sent via US Certified Mail/Return Receipt.
Editor of this journal. We find it
I have received all three receipts indication that
necessary in this iteration to deviate from our
somebody received the money. I still do not know
charted subject as we occasionally do, to, rather
if those winners actually received their rewards or
than update our readers (if any) of breaking news
if they were shortstopped.
items of metrological interest, because of the lack
of current viable inputs on the chartered subject.
The fourth answer was received twelve days late
and was via e-mail, rather than Postal Letter or
Dear Boss:
FAX, thus was doubly disqualified. It was from
ROBERT SCHREUR, of Eaton Aerospace Corp.
What would this world be without mistakes? Uto-
of Michigan.
pia? I think not; something else more demeaning
would surely take the place of honest careless er-
Each of the four added additional detailed informa-
ror. We are all subject to unintentional boo-boos
tion which did not always connect with what I had
and I am not exempt. I made a grievous error in
found. This got me wondering, so I deepened my
Column 51, one that cost me an additional $200
own research and analyzed matrix style the myriad
out of my own pocket. The only consolation being
of details that I derived for dozens of sources. I
is that I know that I have at least four readers. Al-
came to the conclusion that there are as many ver-
low me to explain: In that Column I offered a $100
sions and dates of the Medici thermometric work
cash prize to anyone who gave me the correct an-
as there are historians presenting these “facts”. So
swers to four questions. The first was:
with all of those :”facts” and trivia laid out, elimi-
nating those items that obviously just could not be
“What was the full name of the individual who
or those that could not be verified by other items (a
invented the first sealed glass thermometer?”
sort of Boolean Algebra approach without the
arithmetic), I developed my own history of the de-
There was my greatest error—I should have asked:
velopment of the sealed glass thermometer.
‘What was the full name(s) of the individual(s)
We must first keep in mind two facts:
who invented the first sealed glass thermometer?”
Fact A.-This was the era of the Inquisition
My own research had already uncovered to my sat-
and among the Inquisitors aims was the stamping
isfaction that there were really co-inventors— the
out all ideas considered heretical in the eyes of the
brothers Medici. While historical accounts often
Church at that time. One of these “heretical” ideas
give all of the credit to Ferdinand II de Medici.
was the concept of a heliocentric solar system
Grand Duke of Tuscany they are inaccurate in that
rather than the geocentric system that had been as-
he and his brother Prince Leopold worked together
sumed during pervious centuries,
as close knit team.
Three answers arrived within the time limit, i.e.
MQD Page 8
(Continued from page 7) how to extract pure ethanol from anything.) Mean-
Fact B.-The Medici family at that time while, Ferdinand ascended to the Grand Dukedom
was probably the most powerful family on all of and Leopold became Prince Leopold.
the Italian Peninsular and was also was a mighty
factor throughout most of Europe. Under Ferdinand the Academie flourished for
about ten years attracting noted scientists from all
Galileo Galilei of Pisa was probably the most noted over Italy. Then the reining Pope (I am not certain
of the Italian Natural Philosophers (scientists) of which one, but I believe that it was Alexander II)
the day. He was targeted by the Inquisition for his wanting a Medici Cardinal in the Roman Curia
teachings on the heliocentric solar system concept. offered a Cardinalship to Ferdinand on the condi-
He fled Pisa to Florence for protection under the tion that he abandon all scientific experimentation
Medici—they were too powerful for the Inquisition and dissolve the Academie. Ferdinand was not
to touch. He came under the direct protection of the about to leave his Dukedom for a cloistered life in
then Grand Duke Collisimo II (I have found sev- the Vatican and recommended his more pious
eral different spellings of this name and have cho- brother Leopold. This was acceptable however;
sen this one) who was the father of Ferdinand and with the Papal Ban still existing against Ferdinand
Leopold. Under Galileo’s tutelage Collisimo and (the Pope was unaware of Leopold’s involvement
both of the boys became engrossed in science. But in the research).
Leopold, the more studious of the two siblings
went on further and mastered literature, history, It was said that Leopold left Florence for Rome
architecture, languages, and theology. Ferdinand, with several carriages loaded with his “baggage”.
in preparing for the Dukedom that he was about He had stripped the equipment from the laboratory
inherit, studied the political and social factors in- that he and his brother had in Florence and moved
volved. However, neither of the brothers lost their it to the Vatican (Who was going to question a
interests in science and continued their experimen- Medici Cardinal’s baggage?). At the Vatican, Leo-
tal work under Galileo. Meanwhile Collisimo pold found a remote room deep in the Catacombs
formed the Accademia del Cimento, as a meeting and established his laboratory. He recommenced
and working place for the noted scientists of the work on the thermometer and managed to produce
day; and by doing so predating both the Royal So- a more pure ethanol for his liquid and experi-
ciety of London and the Académie des Sciences of mented with other liquids as well including mer-
Paris. cury. Why he abandoned them has never been ade-
quately explained. He did devise a scale for quan-
Galileo, while he was still in Pisa, had devised a tizing the temperature—however by today’s stan-
temperature indicating device based on the expan- dards it was not a very good one. It had fifty divi-
sion/contraction of a column of air moving a col- sions, temperature of the coldest day he experi-
umn of water in an unsealed system. He found this enced in Rome, and he set at his 20% mark and the
unrepeatable as it was moved from place to place. temperature of the warmest day at his 80% mark.
When he heard of the work of Boyle in England, Naturally, he could not as Cardinal Medici, publish
von Guericke in Germany, and Torricelli in Italy, his findings so, since the Papal Ban on Ferdinand
all of whom had proven that the atmospheric pres- did not include publication, they were published
sure varies with altitude, he became disinterested under Ferdinand’s name.
and abandon his work on the device. In Florence,
the two boys picked up where their tutor left off Prior to having a scale the Galileo and the early
and devised the sealed glass thermometer using Medici devices were referred to as
wine as the liquid, but as yet it had no scale to “Thermographs”. Leopold’s addition of a scale
quantize the temperature changes. They did much made it a”Thermometer”. Thus the sealed liquid-in
work on other liquids as well and finely settled on -glass thermometer was jointly developed by the
what they called “Spirit of Wine” (I believe that Medici bothers Ferdinand and Leopold. Since the
was what today we would call brandy, I do not be-
lieve that the alchemists of that period as yet knew
MQD Page 9
METROLOGY EDUCATION AND TRAINING –

TAKING THE INITIATIVE
Christopher L. Grachanen
With so many technical professions trying to recruit potential

candidates from an ever dwindling supply of technically
minded young people what can be done to help assure there is
an adequate supply of next generation Metrology professionals?
In recent years the pool of young people with technical career
aspirations has become smaller and smaller with the allure of
more ‘glamorous’ career occupations taking its toll. Often
young people are unaware of Metrology careers and related
education and training opportunities available to them. No
doubt this situation will worsen if action is not taken by con-
cerned individuals and professional Metrology organizations.
ASQ’s Measurement Quality Division (MQD), in close partnership with the National Conference of
Standards Laboratories International (NCSLI) and the Measurement Science Conference (MSC), are
taking steps to increase Metrology awareness with an emphasis on Metrology education and training.
These efforts are under the auspices of NCSLI’s training and education program.
The goal of the NCSLI education and training program is essentially:
• Promote the Metrology profession to potential candidates

• Get the word out about Metrology education and training opportunities; and
Initiate and support activities that help enhance Metrology curriculums.
Critical to the success of this program are four committees and two sub-committees, each with their own
unique agendas championed by MQD, NCSLI and MSC constituents. Overseeing these committees is
NCSLI’s VP for Education and Training, Georgia Harris gharris@nist.gov from the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) Weights & Measures Division. The following provides information
about these committees;
TRAINING RESOURCES
Chair: Helga Alexander halexander@keithley.com
Charter
To provide, on a continuing basis, an online database/register of metrology courses, metrology education
and training providers, and other education and training resources, with a brief description of their con-
tent, and information on their availability. Ensure that the NCSLI Training Aids Library includes train-
ing materials that are of significant value to our members, through evaluating available training re-
sources, maintaining a system for acquisition and distribution, making recommendations for updated
resources, and periodically promoting/publishing information on both the on-line database and the
Training Aids Library. Promotional information is provided to the Metrologist Editor, the Marketing
VP, and member delegates through multiple channels.
MQD Page 10

EDUCATION & TRAINING FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Chair: Mark Lapinskes mark.lapinskes@sypris.com
Charter
Manage the solicitation and management of charitable contributions, grants and scholarships related to
NCSLI education and training efforts. Provide NCSLI resources to organizations and individuals
through NCSLI Scholarships & Awards and through the Joe D. Simmons Memorial Scholarship in con-
junction with the Measurement Science Conference and the American Society for Quality, Measurement
Quality Division.
WORKPLACE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Chair: Gloria Neely gloria.neely@navy.mil
Charter
Provide a forum to determine best practices in training metrology personnel and in metrology qualifica-
tion schemes. Assist in gathering, summarizing, and reporting on industry best practices, needs, and fu-
ture requirements related to metrology training and qualifications. Respond to training and qualification
needs where committee membership exists. Publish reports, recommended practices and guides where
appropriate.
EDUCATION LIAISON & OUTREACH

Chair: Phil Smith psmith@a2la.org
Co-Chair: Christopher Grachanen chris.grachanen@hp.com
Charter
To interact with educational institutions participating in the development of metrology curriculums for
full-time training programs and/or education institutions and national laboratories who develop training
materials and training courses. Represent the training needs of the NCSL International (NCSL) Member-
ship to these organizations. Develop and support initiatives and programs enabling Metrology Education
& Training globally.
MARKETING LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE

Chair: Dilip Shah Emc3solu@aol.com
Charter
Work with the NCSLI marketing team to promote Education and Training efforts and products.
COMMUNICATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE
Chair: Christopher Grachanen chris.grachanen@hp.com
Charter
Work to communicate with outside organizations to increase world-wide awareness of Metrology.
Additional information about these committees may be found on the NCSLI website at http://
www.ncsli.org/committees/ (committee numbers 161 thru 164). Please consider contacting one of the
committee chairs if you would like to volunteer. With your support and participation we can all do our
part in helping assure a next generation of Metrology professionals.
MQD Page 11
What Does True RMS Mean?

Graeme C. Payne
Direct voltage and direct current are easy to measure, because they are effectively steady-state values.
Alternating voltage and current are more difficult to measure, because of their time-varying nature. One
of the more difficult measurements to understand is the root-mean-square (rms) value of the voltage or
current. With digital instruments, it is important to be aware that the most common true rms measure-
ment method may limit the performance of the instrument relative to its performance in measuring other
parameters. In particular, a portion of the low end of each alternating voltage or current measurement
range is virtually always blocked out, and there may be fewer ranges to start with. Understanding the
measurement method and the instrument specifications – including information in footnotes – can help
you make better measurements.
Sine Wave
Alternating voltage and current are usually modeled as a sine wave. (Figure 1) Electrical energy is cre-
ated by a rotating generator, and at any instant the value of the output voltage is proportional to the sine
of the generator shaft’s rotation angle. (Note that for the purposes of this explanation we will ignore the
complexities of phase shift between current and voltage, and that real circuits have significant capaci-
tance and inductance that change the phase.) Important values for a sine wave are the peak, average and
the rms value
Peak, Average & RMS

The peak value is the maximum distance from the cen-
Sine Wave
ter zero line. In Figure 1 the peak value is 1. The peak-to-
peak value is sometimes used; it is simply double the peak 1.5
value. 1.0
0.5
The average voltage is measured over a half-cycle of the
voltage or current waveform. It is the arithmetic average
Sine
0.0
of every instantaneous point over one complete half-cycle -0.5

(Figure 2). The average value of a sine wave is approxi-
mately the peak value multiplied by 0.637. (Averaging -1.0
over a full cycle is not useful, because the lower half-cycle -1.5
cancels the upper one, making the result always zero.) To 0 90 180 270
Angle (degrees)
360 450
measure the average value, the sine wave can be passed

through a full-wave rectifier. Mathematically, this is the Figure 1 - full sine wave
same as taking the absolute value of every point.
Sine (Full-wave rectified)
For various reasons, it is important to know what value of
a sine wave contains the same amount of energy as some
1.5
value of direct voltage. Using calculus, it is easy to show
that this value is the square root of the sum of the squares
1.0
of each instantaneous value. It is called the root-mean-
square or rms value.
Sine
0.5
0.0
The rms value of a sine wave is approximately the peak
value multiplied by 0.707. It is the value that represents
-0.5
the same amount of effective energy as a direct voltage of
0 90 180 270 360 450 the same magnitude.
Angle (degrees)

Figure 2 - half-sine wave
MQD Page 12

Crest Factor
An important value when measuring waveforms is the crest factor. The crest factor is a ratio, the peak
voltage (or current) divided by the rms voltage (or current). A higher crest factor indicates a more
peaked waveform, a waveform that is short pulses, or a signal that has a lot of noise. True rms voltme-
ters have crest factor limits for two reasons. First, with high crest factors the peak voltage may exceed
the safe input level even if the rms value is still quite low. Second, it takes a finite amount of time to do
the math on each sample, so excessively short pulses may not be captured.
The crest factor for a sine wave is 1.414. The crest factors for some other common waveforms are:
• Half-wave rectified sine 2
• Triangle wave 1.732
• Square wave 1
• Random noise 5 to 7
Measuring RMS Values

“Average Responding, RMS Calibrated”
Virtually all analog meters, and many digital meters, actually respond to the average value of the alter-
nating voltage or alternating current waveform. But, since the rms value is the most useful (because of
it’s equivalence to direct voltage) their displays are adjusted to read the rms value. That is done simply
by adjusting the scales so they read about 11% high.
• Advantage: simple and low cost
• Disadvantage: valid only if the signal is a pure sine wave (which is hardly ever true in the “real
world”!) Inaccuracy increases as the crest factor moves away from 1.414.
Thermal methods
There are several methods using the alternating voltage or current to produce heat, and a sensor to meas-
ure the heat output. These methods require sensors (AC/DC thermal transfer standards) that are expen-
sive and delicate (easily destroyed), and the method is a time-consuming transfer measurement. This
type of measurement is rarely seen outside a calibration laboratory.
Advantages:
• Provides traceability of alternating current and voltage to direct current and voltage
• Standards cover a wide range of voltages (2 mV to 1000 V) and frequencies (5 Hz to more than
100 MHz)
• Accurate results for any waveform
Disadvantages:
• Sensors are easily damaged and expensive to replace
• Many sensors require the ability to measure direct voltage to 1 nV or lower resolution to get part
per million levels.
• Measurements take a long time and require a fair amount of skill to set up and perform correctly.
Computation methods
Digital meters that have “true rms” measurement capability almost always use mathematical computa-
tion methods. There are variations, but the basic method is to take the logarithm of the input, multiply
that by 2, average the results over a suitably long time period (several seconds), divide the average by 2,
take the antilog of the result and convert that to a direct voltage.
MQD Page 13

Advantages:
• Accurate results for any waveform within the crest factor limits
• Becoming a reasonably low cost solution
Disadvantages:
• Minimum input requirement and upper input limit may limit instrument measurement range
• Upper frequency limited by the digital sampling rate
The rms converter integrated circuits used for this function impose several operating restrictions. The
most important is that the input must be above a minimum level before the circuit will operate properly.
There may be maximum input limits as well. This usually limits the measurement range of the meter.
Example:
A common digital multimeter is a 30,000 count meter with 10% overrange capability. For example,
this means that it has a direct voltage range labeled 30.000 V and it can display any value from
0.000 V to 32.999 V.
The alternating voltage and current specifications have a footnote that states that measurements are
only valid from 1,500 counts to 30,000 counts. This means that the true measurement range for
alternating volts is only 1.500 V to 30.000 V! Everything on that measurement range that is below
1.500 V and above 30.000 V is outside the operating range of the rms converter and therefore is un-
calibrated. The meter may display a value, but it will have no meaning.
On a true rms meter, it is very common for the bottom 5% or so of each alternating voltage and current
range to be uncalibrated. It is less common (but not unheard of) for some portion of the top of each
range to be uncalibrated. In addition, there may be fewer ranges for alternating voltage or current than
there are for direct voltage and current. It is very important to be aware of these limitations and to take
them into account when comparing instruments. That information is often buried in the footnotes of the
specifications.
Footnotes
The discussion of computational rms measurement methods referred to a limitation in the footnotes of
the instrument’s performance specifications. That is an example of something that is often overlooked.
• Footnotes are an important part of a specification table. They are not optional.
• Footnotes are there to give you information that does not fit neatly into a table of numbers.
• Footnotes usually inform you of operating limitations or additions to the measurement uncertainty.
• Footnotes are the engineering fine print that takes away from what the large-print marketing hype
says you get.
Always read and be sure you understand the notes that are part of an instrument specification!
MQD Page 14
AB Liasion report
NVLAP:
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program - NVLAP
Thomas Hettenhouser is the newest Program Manager for NVLAP
Thomas Hettenhouser brings twenty-five years of experience in the field of metrology to NVLAP. After
four years as a Telecommunications Repair Specialist in the United States Air Force, he cross-trained
into the test instrument calibration and repair field. His assignments included a term as an instructor at
the Lowry Technical Training Center, Lowry Air Force Base, CO. In 1983 he left the Air Force as an E-
6 after a successful eight year career. Mr. Hettenhouser joined AEL Instrument Services and was quickly
recognized as a troubleshooter for all types of electronics. After two years he was promoted to lab super-
visor and then to lab manager and was an integral part of AEL's expansion from two to seven laborato-
ries from 1987 to 1996. In August of 1996, AEL's Instrument Services became a part of SIMCO Elec-
tronics. Mr. Hettenhouser enjoyed continued success with the company, accepting positions of increased
scope and responsibility: Eastern Operations Director and then National Technical Manager. He left
SIMCO in 2005 and established TH Metrology, a consulting firm providing metrology education, cali-
bration business consultation, and technical assessor expertise.
Mr. Hettenhouser joined the NVLAP staff in April 2007 as a calibration program manager and is respon-
sible for calibration laboratories with names starting from A through Q, minus the State Metrology labo-
ratories.
A new Laboratory Accreditation Program is being established at NVLAP: Personal Body Armor
NVLAP has agreed to establish a laboratory accreditation program to support the voluntary minimum
performance standard for the ballistic- and stab-resistance of personal body armor, developed for the
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) by the NIST Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES).
The program will address ballistic- and stab-resistant body armor submitted to the NIJ/National Law
Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) for testing and certification in accordance
with applicable NIJ standards. Laboratory test results will be used for the purposes of preparing NIJ’s
Personal Body Armor Consumer Product List. NVLAP-accredited laboratories testing the equipment for
certification by NLECTC must be independent of body armor manufacturers, NIJ, NLECTC, and OLES,
and be able to perform all of the selected tests as specified in the applicable NIJ standard.
If you would like more information on the Personal Body Armor Program, please contact Hazel M.
Richmond at hazel.richmond@nist.gov or (301) 975-3024.
NVLAP participates in the IEEE/EMC symposium and conference

On Saturday July 7, 2007, NVLAP hosted a one-day Assessor/Laboratory Training Seminar at the Hil-
ton Hawaiian Village Resort in conjunction with the IEEE/EMC (Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers/Electromagnetic Compatibility) symposium. The venue for this event was held in the 50th
state to mark the 50th anniversary of the IEEE’s EMC society.
This NVLAP training seminar was open to all current and potential NVLAP assessors, NVLAP-
accredited laboratories, and laboratories considering accreditation. The agenda included presentations by
NVLAP staff on the various elements of laboratory accreditation.
MQD Page 15

There was a good turn out for this as it ended up being standing room only in the conference room. It
was a great opportunity for participants to better understand NVLAP business practices, the accredita-
tion process, and the on-site assessment activities.
NVLAP also had an exhibit booth during the IEEE EMC Symposium week where NVLAP staff had the
opportunity to meet and talk to current and potential customers and stakeholders. Kurt Fischer, NVLAP
Program Manager for Electromagnetic Compatibility and Telecommunications also participated in
ANSI ASC C63 committee meetings during the symposium week.
NVLAP updates Handbooks and issues new Laboratory Bulletins via the web
In an effort to make the latest information available to our laboratories and assessors, NVLAP has re-
cently added updated Program-specific Handbook (NIST HB 150 series) to its website. Updates Hand-
books are available for Energy Efficient Lighting and Efficiency of Electric Motors. The updated Hand-
book for Electromagnetic Compatibility and Telecommunications has recently cleared the editorial re-
view process and is scheduled to be posted to the NVLAP website in November.
New Laboratory Bulletins have been issued in 2007 for the following programs: Calibration laborato-
ries, Bulk asbestos analysis, Carpet and carpet cushion, Wood-based products, Efficiency of Electric
motors, Airborne asbestos analysis, Thermal insulation materials, Commercial products testing, and Fas-
teners and metals.
The following web address contains access to the NVLAP Program-specific Handbooks and Laboratory
Bulletins http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Accreditation/handbook.cfm
IAS:
Laboratory Assessor Certification Now Available

An international consortium of accrediting organizations, including IAS and organizations from Austra-
lia, Canada, Malaysia and Mexico, developed a comprehensive certification program for ISO/IEC Stan-
dard 17025 Accreditation Assessors. The certification will be offered through RABQSA, a personnel
and training certification company.
“This personnel certification is designed specifically for laboratory assessors,” explains IAS Accredita-
tion Officer Hershal Brewer. “Through this certification, these assessors can demonstrate their expertise
and knowledge through an internationally approved process. We expect several of our laboratory assess-
ment staff to achieve this certification in the next year.”
CERTIFIED SAFE
A recent article in Quality Digest magazine article titled, “Certified Safe?” takes a behind-the-scenes
look at product safety testing. Featured IAS Accreditation Officer Hershal Brewer offers sound advice
on how to choose a safe testing laboratory.
Attendees Overcome Accreditation Roadblocks

IAS Accreditation Officer Hershal Brewer hosted a half-day tutorial entitled, “Accreditation: Challenges
and Solutions” at the National Conference of Standards Laboratories (NCSL) International Workshop &
Symposium on August 3 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Brewer highlighted common roadblocks to laborato-
MQD Page 16

ries seeking accreditation, covering the nuts and bolts of accreditation from computer systems and soft-
ware, general criteria for selecting an accreditation body, and how to market an accredited laboratory,
among other related topics. Brewer is the NCSL accrediting body liaison for 2007. For details on this
topic, contact Hershal Brewer.
Saving the Lives of Children, One Child at a Time
In July 2006, IAS received an application from Child Related Research, Inc.
(CRR) seeking testing laboratory accreditation under ISO/IEC Standard 17025,
General Criteria for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
CRR wanted to demonstrate the capabilities of its staff testers and test managers
in testing to child-resistant packaging standards. Over the next few months, IAS
conducted a series of on-site assessments to evaluate CRR’s quality management
system and to observe actual testing of both child and adult subjects.
UL Engineer Remembered
Lee Dosedlo, former Chief Engineer of Testing and Certification for Underwriters
Laboratories (UL), passed away June 9 after a courageous battle with cancer. Among
his many accomplishments, Dosedlo developed the UL Standard for Safety for Residen-
tial Fire Sprinklers and certified the first UL-Listed residential sprinkler. Dosedlo was
instrumental in developing UL’s policies for participating in model code development
and in the organization’s achievement of IAS laboratory accreditation.
Egyptian Testing Labs Gain IAS Accreditation
One of the premier research and testing laboratories in Egypt, the Housing and Building National Re-
search Center (HBRC) develops technical and industrial methods and standards for construction materi-
als and testing. Above, HBRC laboratory representatives receive their accreditation certificate during a
special ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Dedicated to enhancing infrastructure, improving building and construction practices, and raising the
quality of construction materials and testing in Egypt, the Housing and Building National Research Cen-
ter completed the IAS laboratory accreditation program under the requirements of ISO/IEC Standard
17025:2005 for two laboratories. These laboratories evaluate soil, rock, aggregate and cement for com-
MQD Page 17
(Continued from page 16) facts that young Daniel left Danzig for Denmark at
mercial and residential construction. The IAS ac- age 14 and never returned. He was in Holland
creditation process was completed over the last when he performed his thermometric experiments
year and included assessment of the facility’s and left copious notes of his measurements of the
equipment, procedures and personnel dimensions of mercury columns at various tem-
peratures and his derivations of these dimensions
IAS welcomes the following calibration laborato- into his thermionic scale.
ries into our family:
Micro-Vu http://www.micro-vu.com Well Boss that is about it for this issue. I
Ergonomics, Inc. http://www.ergonomicsusa.com/ have had no news of any importance in the Metrol-
For further information, see the IAS eNews, avail- ogy Educational area this quarter, but that may be
able at http://www.iasonline.org/eNews/0807/ due to the customary summer holiday. Meanwhile,
index.html I am at the same old stand—I may have new e-mail
address soon unless my problems with my ISPs
Hershal C. Brewer, CCT and DSL carrier can be resolved. If you have some-
Accreditation Officer thing you think is urgent you might be better off
International Accreditation Service writing, FAXing, or calling me.
5360 Workman Mill Road
Meanwhile, as I have said half a hundred times
Whittier, CA 90601
before, “You can reach me at:
Phone: 562-699-0541 Ext 3222
Fax: 562-699-8031
PHIL PAINCHAUD
Mobile: 951-326-5216
1110 WEST DOROTHY DRIVE
hbrewer@iasonline.org
BREA, CA 92821-2017
http://www.iasonline.org
PHONE: 1-714-529-6604
FAX: 1-714-529-1109
e-MAIL: painchaud4@cs.com or
(Continued from page 8) olepappy@juno.com
development was spread over several years we will
use the date of Ferdinand’s publication, 1657 as the
invention date. And as to the location, final device
was developed in the Catacombs under the Vatican.
It was developed there to be out of reach of the In-
quisition.
That is my history of the development of the sealed
liquid in glass thermometer. If any of you disagree,
as you are most surely entitled to, then go and find
your own twenty or more reference sources, inter-
compare the derived data, choose those items that
please you the most, and write your own history of
the development of the sealed liquid-in-glass ther-
mometer.
An interesting sidelight; it has long been an urban
legend that Daniel Fahrenheit used a similar
method to set the zero and one hundred points on
his thermometer, using the maximum and mini-
mum temperatures in his home city of Danzig dur-
ing a given year to set his 100º and 0º points. This
has been very well disproven by the established
MQD Page 18
Ethics - The Final Frontier

Jay L. Bucher
(Excerp from a soon to be published book)
The final frontier: space, if you’re a Star Trek fan; the ocean depths where man is still searching for un-
known species; the most powerful computer – the human mind, there is so much we don’t know com-
pared to what we do know; the cure for cancer – we get closer everyday yet seem to never quite find that
illusive potion or elixir, special DNA combination, or silver bullet.
Yet only a hundred years ago the moon was out of reach and untouchable; the deepest we went into the
depths is done today by amateurs; we were drilling holes to relieve pain in the skull; and a simple case
of influenza could decimate an entire country.
But ethics…a hundred years ago, a thousand years ago, back to the beginning of time, both scientifically
and biblically speaking, as it is today and will be tomorrow – remains the same. Everyone has to make
the choice between right and wrong, or good and evil.
General Omar N. Bradley is reported to have said, “The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom,
power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.” It is as true today as it
was fifty years ago.
(The following is from The Quality Calibration Handbook: Developing and Managing a Calibration
Program, pp 139—142)
Ethics is one of the five major branches of philosophy, which attempts to understand the nature of mo-
rality; to distinguish that which is right from that which is wrong. The Western tradition of ethics is
sometimes called moral philosophy. Ethics in plain words means studying and analyzing right from
wrong; good from bad.
Everyday we see in the print media, television and internet accounts of the latest findings of illegal and
unethical behavior of large and small companies alike. Corruption can be found in sports, politics, our
education systems, financial institutions, and those around us doing their every day work.
Is this the cost of having to do business in today’s fast paced, hectic world of dog eat dog, and the dirti-
est trick wins the game? I don’t believe that to be the case. The average “Jill or Joe” has been raised to
know the difference between right and wrong. If they haven’t, then this book will fall on deaf ears, and
not be worth the paper it is printed on.
Honesty is still the best policy. What goes around comes around. Sound familiar to most of you? We
have all heard these different sayings since we were small. And why is that? Because they are true! Hon-
esty is still the best policy, in business dealings, in our work environment, and in everything we do as
human beings.
But the reader doesn’t have to take my word for it. Let’s go back in history and see what others have
said about honesty, ethics, and doing “the right thing”.
MQD Page 19

For Want of a Nail – Rhyme
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
A clever set of lyrics in "For want of a nail" encouraging children to apply logical progression to the
consequences of their actions. "For want of a nail" is often used to gently chastise a child whilst explain-
ing the possible events that may follow a thoughtless act.
The History of Obligatory Archery Practice!
The references to horses, riders, kingdoms and battles in "For want of a nail" indicate the English origins
of the rhyme. One of the English Kings did not leave anything to chance! In 1363, to ensure the contin-
ued safety of the realm, King Edward III commanded the obligatory practice of archery on Sundays and
holidays! The earliest known written version of the rhyme is in John Gower's " Confesio Amantis dated
approximately 1390.
We don’t have to go back to the 14th century to see examples of what might happen. Or worse yet, what
did happen, when someone did not do the right thing and compromised their efforts, measurements or
data. It happens everyday all around us. All we have to do is look and listen to see the results of these
actions.
Pharmaceutical companies falsify data, and once this information comes to light, they must recall prod-
uct (drugs) and spend billions of dollars on law suites, court costs and fines. Numerous companies have
been in the headlines during the past few years for corruption, greed and swindling the public, all for the
sake of profit.
A simple measurement that is not taken seriously, or made with “only a little error” could result in catas-
trophe. Here are some examples of what might be:
The difference of setting the thickness of a sheet metal machine could eventually see the result of not
enough strength in the hull of a ship or the skin of an aircraft; the ability to withstand an automobile ac-
cident in any type of vehicle to the strength of a structure to hold up against hurricanes or high winds.
The end result? Loss of ships and planes and their valued crews. The injury and death of men, women
and children when a the simple difference of a thousandths of an inch was all it would have taken to re-
move any of these possible catastrophes.
The difference of calibrating an analytical balance in a manufacturing company correctly could mean the
production of tainted products that could make the difference between life and death in the manufactur-
ing of drugs, chemicals, and pesticides. A production technician correctly weighs the product, using an
inaccurate balance, could produce either too much of a quantity, or not enough of it, that the end result
does not give the expected results to the end user. This could be in a pill or tablet; the amount of chemi-
cals used by any one of us in our daily lives; or sprayed on our foods or to eliminate mosquitoes caring
the Nile virus. The dosage was too weak, so the mosquito was not killed, causing an outbreak of the
MQD Page 20

deadly virus in your neighborhood.
Are there checks and balances in place to keep these from actually happening? I would like to think so.
But then, eventually, don’t we all end up trusting our co-workers to be doing the right thing to begin
with? Is this trust well placed, or are we all preparing for a big disappointment; or even worse…for the
results imagined above?
What has all of this got to do with a quality calibration system? Why is this being included in this book?
The average calibration technician has more responsibility on their shoulders than most imagine. Their
name or stamp on a calibration label tells the world (or at the very least, the user of that particular piece
of test equipment) that the test instrument is not only working properly, but accurately. In the vast ma-
jority of cases, nobody comes behind the calibration technician to check if what they say is accurate is
really true. The calibration label is the same as the calibration technician raising their right hand and
swearing that to the best of their knowledge, that particular test instrument is accurate, reliable, and pro-
ducing traceable measurements or readings at the time that they performed that calibration. In reality,
this is an awesome responsibility. There are few career fields where an individual is given this type of
responsibility without having a more experienced technician or supervisor ‘sign off’ their work. Usually
most product has to go through a quality assurance process or testing. Not so with most calibration func-
tions or departments. Their integrity and honesty is a given. Or is it?
What happens when an individual is found to be falsifying data, or in the old vernacular of PMELs…hot
stamping? It could result in the removal of their position, lost of job, and even their career in calibration.
A calibration technician’s integrity is the foundation that their career is built on. Once that is questioned
or lost, they might as well change careers and move on with their lives…their career in calibration is
over. Nobody has the time or money to double check each and every item calibrated by a ‘hot-stamper’,
nor will they be even willing to take the risk of hiring them.
Of course, everyone makes mistakes, does a calculation incorrectly, or interprets their data wrong. When
this happens, a responsible calibration technician learns from the mistake, takes responsibility for their
action, and carries on. It’s the person who is unwilling to accept the great responsibility that has been
given them, and does not learn from their mistakes that has no place in the calibration community.
How does a ‘hot-stamper’ affect the bottom line of the company they work for? It could affect the com-
pany’s bottom line in lost sales, lost customers, and in the worst case…affect lives. If it seems that the
author might be getting carried away with how integrity, or the lack of it, can impact a company then the
reader is getting the message loud and clear. It can affect the bottom line of any business, their custom-
ers, their employees, and the families of all involved.
There is absolutely no place for dishonest calibration technicians in a quality calibration system. It is as
simple as that. No ifs; no buts; no way!! Because the opposite end of the spectrum helps demonstrate
what an honest calibration technician is responsible for.
Which of the hundreds of pipettes calibrated by the average calibration technician everyday will be re-
sponsible for helping the scientist discover the cure for cancer? It is as simple as that! Nobody knows.
But how can an honest, diligent calibration technician not put their heart and soul into each and every
calibration they perform? The author understands that quantity has to be close to the top of the list of
what needs to be done each and every day. But quality comes first, because without quality, all the quan-
tity that is produced in the work place is irrelevant.
MQD Page 21

The final result is this…you, the calibration technician, are the front line when it comes to preventing the
next great train wreck in the metrology community. Not your supervisor, team leader, manager, or CEO.
YOU! Your honest, everyday efforts will ensure that the world we live, work, and play in is safe and
accurate. Your efforts can, and do make a difference.
You should stand a little straighter and taller knowing that your honest efforts can and do make a differ-
ence. That pipette, dial indicator, micrometer, pressure gage, balance, or insignificant piece of test
equipment that was calibrated this morning is the nail that will ensure the kingdom of accurate, traceable
and reliable test equipment is available for all of our customers yet again.
Some Philosophizing About Lying

by Ben Best
(Ben Best, Some Philosophizing About Lying. http://www.benbest.com/philo/lying.html (19 June
2007))
I. WHAT IS LYING?
Lying is communication with the intention of creating a false belief. A sarcastic statement which is not
intended or expected to create a false belief is not a lie, even if it creates a false belief. If a statement is
true, but the communicator believes it is false, it still counts as a lie.
Although self-deception is possible, it is difficult to accomplish with full consciousness and intention.
Therefore, lying is most often done by one person to one or more others.
Lies are typically motivated by a desire to persuade others to act or to refrain from acting in a certain
manner -- or to make decisions in one's favor. Sex, money, status, power, love -- anything desired can
provide temptation to kill, steal or lie. But lies can be motivated by nothing other than the creation of a
false (misleadingly favorable or unfavorable) image or the fabrication of an entertaining story.
II. COSTS AND BENEFITS OF LYING
Credibility is a form of wealth. Everyone has access to some credibility. If credibility is squandered, be-
lievers are less readily available -- but "there is a sucker born every minute". This is reassuring only for
persons who are content to continually populate their lives with newly-born "suckers".
Lasting relationships are built on credibility and trust. There is little that people will do for each other
without some amount of trust. Truthfulness and trust are usually essential for goodwill. If one wishes to
be believed when speaking the truth, one must have credibility. Credibility is also required if one is to be
believed when lying.
The "perfect lie" is a lie that produces a benefit and which will never be discovered. Or a lie which mis-
leads a person who will never again be of any consequence or value. But it is not always easy to predict
who will never be of consequence. If the pattern is repeated often enough, a mistake will be made which
entails a person of considerable consequence.
Maintaining a false perception in the mind of a person with whom there is an on-going relationship re-
quires constant maintenance & diligence -- an on-going cost which is not incurred by someone who tells
MQD Page 22

the truth. Lying about one matter makes it easier to lie about others. Lies often require more lies to shore
-up the false impressions. The liar must remember all the lies to maintain the illusions. Truth becomes a
feared enemy of the liar. The intelligence of the duped person becomes the enemy of the liar. The accu-
mulation of lies increases the probability of discovery. With discovery and the collapse of an elaborate
fabrication comes a considerable loss of credibility and trust. Once credibility is lost it can be very diffi-
cult to regain.
The confirmed liar will only be comfortable in the company of those who are easily deceived -- not
those with intelligence and understanding. A person who resists lying has the capacity to build lasting
relationships of trust. Trust is an important ingredient in every aspect of life which is dependent upon
personal relationships -- including work, business, friendship, love and family.
III. LYING TO ENEMIES
The classic moral justification for lying is the World War II scenario of lying to Nazis about Jews hid-
den in the attic. Credibility to Nazis is essential for this scenario to work, however.
It is wrong to kill, but exceptions are made concerning persons regarded as deserving capital punish-
ment. Enemies do not deserve truth, especially if they will use truth to kill. In war matters of life-and-
death take precedence over honesty. If the enemy can be deceived about the intended site of invasion --
such as the Beaches of Normandy on D-Day -- the lies can make the difference between victory and de-
feat. On-going trust is of little value with enemies of war who seek to kill and defeat one another. De-
ception is the psychological side of combat. Armies have usually been expected to deceive each other,
from before the time of the Trojan Horse. Sun Tzu (author of THE ART OF WAR) wrote: "All warfare
is based on deception."
Because credibility is so low in war, it is generally fruitless for one adversary to attempt to directly lie to
another. Credibility is created in espionage through double-agents who feed information in preparation
for a big deception. False maneuvers as a ruse and even lying to allies are part of wartime subterfuge.
Machiavelli wrote, "never attempt to win by force what can be won by fraud", though his thinking was
guided by cost/benefit analysis rather than lesser moral evils. The Geneva Conventions are intended to
give rules of conduct to war, but lying is still regarded as "fair game". This can create problems when
attempting to negotiate a truce -- and, in fact, many so-called truces are simply ploys. In ON WAR,
when Clausewitz described politics as an extension of war he meant more than the substitution of ballots
for bullets. Propaganda is a tool of manipulation in both war and peace.
By extension from the ethics of war, it is morally justified to lie to criminals who seek the truth in order
to kill, steal or cause harm. Police officers commonly lie to suspected criminals. Lying is a tool for self-
defense. But "enemies" who are less than criminals create a slippery slope in the calculus of deception.
Although lying to enemies may be morally justified, there can still be a high risk and a high cost. Even
lying to enemies should be avoided if it is feasible to do so -- and not only because enemies can some-
times become friends. Integrity is always an issue.
There can be a fine line -- or no line at all -- between deliberate deception and crafted nondisclosure. A
homosexual person in a work relationship with a group of homophobes may find it prudent to mislead
the coworkers about his or her sexual orientation so as to avoid cruel taunts or mistreatment. The same
can be said of persons with unpopular political or religious beliefs. But maintaining false impressions
MQD Page 23

has a cost -- the cost of living in fear can be disempowering. Gay pride parades and "coming out of the
closet" is symbolic of the liberating relief of being open. Being open about one's true nature and dealing
with the consequences can be a learning experience for all concerned. Nonetheless, there are unques-
tionably circumstances when it is more prudent to "remain in the closet".
Privacy is a means of protecting oneself from those who might intentionally or unintentionally cause
harm. But lying is not essential for establishing privacy. Walls, remoteness, non-disclosure and even an
explicit "I don't want to talk about it" may be all that is necessary to maintain privacy. Lying should be a
last resort as a means to privacy. The benefit of the privacy should be weighed against the cost of the
risk of loss of credibility that always accompanies lying.
IV. LYING TO FRIENDS AND LOVED-ONES
People justify lying to enemies by regarding them as people of no value or negative value. But people
justify lying to friends, associates and loved-ones on the grounds of being people of value. To maintain
or enhance the esteem of those valued it can be tempting to exaggerate personal accomplishments or to
cover-up embarrassing mistakes. If we cannot trust the truth to those we love, to some extent we treat
them as adversaries. While this may be emotionally safe or gratifying, it is also distancing.
So-called "white lies" are often justified as being acts of consideration. To decline an invitation with an
untrue excuse is a ruse intended to protect both the liar and the deceived. To express gratitude for an un-
wanted gift or to express insincere concern about another's well-being are also regarded as politeness.
Lies can be an easy way to reduce conflict or make others feel better. Nonetheless, these practices erode
credibility and create distance. The consequences may be moderate, however, if the politeness is recog-
nized and accepted as social custom.
Being close to people requires being open and honest. Being close to another person means knowing
intimately what is going on in the other persons heart and mind -- for better or worse -- and this usually
requires communication and disclosure. Warts become visible when you are up-close-and-personal. Ly-
ing is far more work -- and the risk of exposure is far greater -- in a close relationship.
Closeness to the point of intimacy involves such exposure as to require great trust. The closeness of inti-
macy can mean greater vulnerability to being hurt. We must not only be more open and honest to allow
a person to come close to us, we must have the credibility to inspire trust in the other person for them to
allow us to come close to them. Not lying is a necessary condition for true closeness, but it is not a suffi-
cient condition. There must be trust not only in the honesty & openness of the other person, but in the
good-naturedness of the other person -- the sense of assurance that no harm will be done.
Although every relationship is different, in most intimate-love relationships it is assumed that each part-
ner has a right to full knowledge of the other intimate relationships of the other partner -- or, more likely,
full knowledge that the intimate relationship is exclusive of sexual relationships with others. Failure to
disclose another sexual relationship is tantamount to lying.
Broken promises can appear to be lies, but needn't be lies. Promises made without the intention of ful-
fillment are lies. Promises are commitments, unlike plans which only involve tentative expectations.
Often people make promises which are unreasonable -- in which case the broken promise is more the
consequence of bad judgment than of an intention to deceive. Of special relevance to this discussion is
the promise made during wedding vows to love the spouse until death. But the sweet-natured creature at
MQD Page 24

the altar may turn into a roaring volcano of hostile criticism & attack. Or the love may simply disappear
for some other reason.
The expression "All's fair in love and war" has been used to describe lawless circumstances in which
usual rules of conduct do not apply. (The exact phrase comes from the English novelist Francis Edward
Smedley, but similar sentiments were expressed earlier by other authors, such as Cervantes in DON
QUIXOTE.) Although the phrase remains popular, its meaning is ambiguous. Does the phrase only refer
to the treatment of love-competitors as enemies of war? Or is deception of others excluding competitors
and their allies part of "collateral damage"? Deceiving the object of affection could have negative conse-
quences for building trust. "Make love not war" seems a more apt phrase outside of love/hate relation-
ships. (War is more limited to hate.)
"Love" is a word that can be used among relatives and others more out of duty or habit than as a sincere
expression of feeling. If "love" simply means a warm or positive feeling, it is hard to say how dishonest
it is to use the word. A person who hesitates to say the word "love" in reciprocation because of concern
that feelings will be hurt does indeed have a sense of caring. Who is to say what positive feelings truth-
fully do or do not belong under the rubric of "love"? When the word "love" is used as manipulation or to
gain cooperation, the dishonesty is more clear -- although motives and emotions can be mixed.
Adults often engage in a special kind of lying to children. Lying about the existence of Santa Claus or
fairies is a socially-accepted form of engaging the children in sentimental fantasy. Fantasy can be enter-
tainment, including a lovingly sentimental fantasy like Santa Claus. Although fantasy is unreality, it
needn't be a lie if it is not treated seriously. But these rituals do run the risk of undermining credibility
with the children if too much effort is made to counter doubts in their questioning minds. Sheltering
children from the harsh realities of life may not be a good way of educating them.
Lies by children are often explained by the idea that children have not yet learned to distinguish fantasy
from reality (although this remains a challenge for everyone throughout life). Children (and adults) en-
joy a good story -- and can enjoy creating good stories. Children's lies are also explained by the idea that
children are still learning right from wrong. Many learn the advantages of credibility in childhood, while
others learn later or not at all.
V. LIES IN WORK AND BUSINESS
Deceptive advertising and salespersons who mislead are stereotypic images of business. But these im-
ages are most applicable to one-time sales or short-term dealings. Long-term business arrangements are
absolutely dependent on trust and goodwill. Even one-time sales involving large amounts of money usu-
ally involve extensive investigation into credibility of the seller.
Although false claims about products are likely to destroy credibility, salespeople rarely go out of their
way to detail weaknesses about the products they sell -- and can easily exaggerate or hype the benefits.
Consumers generally expect this behavior and discount the descriptions accordingly.
In business, broken promises are broken contracts -- and can be the equivalent of fraud and lying. The
fact that a promise (contract) was made with good intentions is small compensation to someone who was
depending upon delivery of goods or services. Agreeing to provide goods or services without assurance
that those goods or services will be delivered is not honest. A friend who borrows money may do so
MQD Page 25

with the intention of repaying, but may have a change of heart when confronted with the reality of re-
payment. Honesty and integrity are a kind of competence -- they require commitment and good judge-
ment.
Physicians typically have vastly more medical knowledge than their patients. Full explanations would be
time-consuming and often fruitless. Convenient oversimplifications may offer the best that can be ex-
pected. All experts face this difficulty when trying to communicate with novices. Physicians often make
judgments about the patient that involve deception which is believed to be in the patient's best interest --
such as administration of a placebo or giving misleading information about the purpose of a drug. (A
patient may become upset at the thought of taking a tranquilizer or anti-depressant.)
Taxi-drivers commonly pocket the full proceeds of un-metered, un-dispatched trips. Taxi-owners com-
monly include this in their cost of business. Companies or government agencies often expect their em-
ployees to periodically call in sick when there is really no illness. Employees may spend some of their
working hours doing non-work related tasks. Again, as long as these abuses are limited they are toler-
ated as a cost of business.
Employability is dependent upon perceived competence. The employee has motivation to cover-up mis-
takes. As long as a job is done satisfactorily the mistakes will attract little attention or concern. Employ-
ees have incentive to exaggerate accomplishments. Many people in organizations engage in an ongoing
struggle to take credit for the accomplishments of others and to pass to others blame for inadequacies or
mistakes.
In all these cases the criterion of truth is more a matter of quantity than of quality. Employers tolerate
employees who provide positive net benefit. But employees who show more reliability, more trustwor-
thiness and more credibility are more likely to be valued in positions of greater responsibility. The world
is not one of perfect justice or meritocracy, however. Petty jealousies, favoritism, sex appeal and other
factors can play important roles. Competence and credibility are important, but they aren't everything.
The classic paradox of employment is that employers only hire experienced workers, but without the job
no one could ever gain experience. The classic solution to the paradox is to lie about previous experi-
ence. During the process of bumbling-through and fabricating additional lies about the previous work
experience the new employee may gain the necessary experience and be relieved of the practical neces-
sity of lying in the future. Or, if the lack of experience is unmistakable, the employee is fired and no
worse-off than when previously unemployed. Lying about qualifications is most likely to be successful
when an employer has an exaggerated conception of the amount of experience actually required. It also
helps to be in a large urban environment where damage to one's reputation (credibility) is minimal due
to anonymity. But even in big cities, work within a specific industry or profession can be a "small
world" -- and it is easy to run-into former associates at a new workplace. Being fired from a job for lying
creates temptation to lie about having had the job when applying for the next one.
If the lying is indeed a temporary, loathsome ad hoc necessity which is not continued, caught or re-
peated, there may be no long-term consequences. A pattern of lying, however, will certainly lead to a
pattern of low credibility. And the costs of being caught, if caught, can be high.
It is possible to rob a store and get away without being caught. Robbery is thus rewarded and thus ap-
pears more "practical" than honesty. It is rarely possible to habitually rob stores without eventually get-
ting caught. Many people have been temporarily very successful in business by deep deception, but once
the fraud is discovered the consequences can be severe. The higher the ascent, the greater the fall. But
MQD Page 26

the majority of people neither know nor care about the difference between high honesty or moderate
honesty -- "honest enough" is good enough.
Nonetheless, many can be quite successful who practice mild deception which is augmented by special
talents and/or hard work. It would be naive to claim that honesty is the key to success in every field.
Politics is notoriously grounded in balancing honesty with deception.
There is a qualitative difference between lying to cover-up an accounting error and lying to cover-up an
embezzlement. The seriousness of the lie is judged on the basis of the subject of the lie. It is regarded as
worse to lie to cover-up a murder than to cover-up a parking infraction. President Clinton could more
easily be forgiven for a lie to cover-up a marriage infidelity than President Nixon could be forgiven for a
lie to cover-up a break-in at a Democratic Party office. The seriousness of the lie is judged on the basis
of the subject of the lie.
VI. LYING TO ONESELF
A salesperson may engage in self-delusion concerning the value of his or her product. A lawyer can
quickly convince himself or herself of the merits of the case of a high-paying client. Extended into the
realm of personal psychology, "affirmations" or self-programmed "positive thinking" is self-deception.
Wishful thinking -- believing what you want to believe -- is self-deception. Nonetheless, life consists of
both positive and negative aspects -- and it is possible to choose to focus on one or the other without self
-deception.
Intellectual honesty requires the ability to admit being wrong or having been wrong. A "know-it-all" has
no room for additional knowledge. Cherished or long-accepted beliefs can be hard to abandon.
Intellectual honesty also requires being able to accept unpopular beliefs that are perceived to be true, but
are at variance with cultural norms or at variance with the strong convictions of someone loved or re-
spected. Mental conformity can be unconscious, automatic and self-deceptive. Honesty in this case re-
quires a capacity for independence. For many, honesty and independence are not worth the price of
alienation -- although people rarely explicitly admit this to themselves.
Few people can think objectively about matters affecting their "vested" interests. Rationalization reduces
internal stress, but it also reduces clear-sighted understanding. Effectiveness is greatest when there is
clear understanding. Honesty is the way to truth, truth is the way to knowledge and knowledge is essen-
tial for effectiveness. The alternative is fantasy, not reality. By honestly acknowledging our embarrass-
ing mistakes and shortcomings -- to ourselves as well as to others -- we are most empowered to learn
what is required for improvement.
VII. LYING AND OPENNESS
Lying is distinct from not being open, although there can be similarities. A sharp distinction between
lying and openness seems evident concerning private financial information. What friend would feel mis-
trusted or betrayed by not being informed of the password code on your credit card? Even people with
very intimate relationships may feel it is prudent to keep a distance concerning financial matters so as to
avoid misunderstandings that might arise from joint bank accounts, etc.
I can be a very private person and do not normally reveal a much about myself. Most people have very
MQD Page 27

different views than I do about most things: religion, politics, life, etc., and I see no reason to unneces-
sarily arouse hostility, argument or disapproval. What I say about myself will be minimal, but what I do
say will nearly always be true. On the other hand, if I feel that I am or want to be close to a person I will
feel an obligation to reveal a great deal of "personal" information.
Lying is active, whereas not being open can be passive. Not being open can be a way of supporting
falsehood, in which case it is passive lying. One can remain silent concerning a flattering false belief
about oneself or one can take active steps to correct the misunderstanding for the sake of truth (rather
than being a passive accomplice of untruth).
Distance from others varies with the amount of self-disclosure. When I want to be close -- and I feel it is
safe to be close -- I aggressively self-disclose. But with people I distrust I have gone to great lengths to
find devices for conceilment, evasion and distancing (a "safe distance").
A complicated, stressful or dangerous medical condition may be a private matter simply because to at-
tempt to explain the condition or to deal with the reactions of others would create too much additional
stress or complication. It could be particularly difficult to explain such matters to children. Any sensitiv-
ity to possible criticisms and/or misunderstandings by others creates defensiveness and/or a desire for
privacy.
The ability to keep confidences and to respect the privacy of others is an aspect of integrity which is
counter to openness. Keeping discussions to a minimum or stearing conversation is a means to avoid
direct questions which could force a choice between lying and disclosure. On the witness stand, how-
ever, evading questions can be more difficult and refusal to answer a question (Fifth Amendment) is
generally seen as an admission of guilt.
There are unquestionably risks to telling the truth. Telling the truth can cause a great deal of embarrass-
ment, but admitting to failures often leads to learning how to do better in the future. For someone who
values learning and effectiveness, the gain usually more than justifies the pain. There is also risk when a
disclosure can seriously affect the regard of a person we care about or possibly destroy the relationship
altogether. In such a case lying can still usually be avoided and disclosure can be withheld until circum-
stance makes the disclosure more safe.
VIII. LYING AND MORALIZING
This essay is being written by a real person in the real world: me. I am not a detached observer. I don't
mean to piously preach. I cannot claim that I have never lied or will never lie again. I know there are
situations when I weigh the costs and benefits of lying and decide that the risks of telling the truth may
be too horrific to contemplate. These would generally be situations where the person I am dealing with
is an adversary with power, not a person I am wanting to be close to or expect to relate to on an ongoing
basis.
The journalist/essayist H.L. Mencken said, "Conscience is that wee inner voice that says somebody
might be looking." Whether or not conscience is paranoia, I think it is valuable conditioning for those
who experience a high emotional cost associated with lying. When situations arise where lying seems to
be the most expedient solution, the emotional cost factor can add additional motivation to find solutions
that do not involve lying. Often with some imagination and a willingness to spend time thinking about
the problem, satisfactory solutions can be found which do not involve lying.
MQD Page 28

It is easy to be hurt or morally outraged by the lies of others. But our integrity is not measured by our
outrage at the behavior of others -- it is measured by our own honesty. If we value the "wealth" that be-
ing trusted can bring, then our integrity will be important to us. People are not as naive as we sometimes
imagine and we lose more credibility than we are aware-of by a dishonest frame of mind. If we want
people to be honest with us, being honest with them is a better policy than trying to intimidate them with
our moral outrage.
Once a witness lies on the witness stand the credibility of all the witness's testimony is in doubt. If I
have lied before, why not lie again? Of course, if my credibility has been lost, my lies may not gain me
very much. If all of my associates lie in moderation, I may not think there is much to gain by being an
extremist who never lies.
It may be too risky or difficult for me to admit to past lies, but I can begin the road to renewal by being
more honest on a go-forward basis. If we can learn from our mistakes in a metaphysical sense, we can
also learn from our ethical mistakes -- and be better in the future than we were in the past.
I hope the reader has enjoyed the various thoughts and opinions expressed in this article. Please send
your comments and suggestions to the editor. Thank you.
MQD Page 29
MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Chair, Program Chair Standards Committee Representative
Dilip A. Shah Robert M. Graham
E = mc3 Solutions Primary AC Standards Lab
197 Great Oaks Trail #130 Sandia National Laboratories
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281-8215 P.O. Box 5800, M.S. 0665
Voice (330) 328-4400 / Fax (330) 336-3974 Albuquerque, NM 87185-0665
E-mail: emc3solu@aol.com, dashah@aol.com Phone: (505) 845-0434
Fax: (505) 844-6096
Chair-Elect E-mail: rmgraha@sandia.gov
Craig (Woody) Niemann
1489 Pheasant Run Dr.
Newark, OH 43055-8046 Examining Chair
Voice (740) 788-5034 Duane Allen
E-mail: Craig.Niemann@afmetcal.af.mil U. S. Navy
P.O. Box 5000, Code MS11
Secretary, Certification Chair, Website Corona, CA 92878-5000
Manager, NCSL International Representative Voice (909) 273-4783 / Fax (909) 273-4599
Christopher L. Grachanen E-mail: duane.allen@navy.mil
Manager, Houston Metrology Group HP
P. O. Box 692000 MS070110
Houston, TX 77269-2000 Historian
Voice (281) 518-8486 / Fax (281) 518-7275 Keela Sniadach
E-mail: Chris.Grachanen@hp.com Promega Corp.
5445 East Cheryl Parkway
Treasurer, Publication Chair, Newsletter Madison, WI 53711
Editor/Publisher, Share Point Administrator Voice (608) 298-4681 / Fax (608) 277-2516
Jay L. Bucher E-mail: keela.sniadach@promega.com
Bucherview Metrology Services
6700 Royal View Dr.
De Forest, WI 53532-2775 ASQ Division Administrator
Voice (608) 277-2522 / Fax (608) 846-4269 Ms. Leta Thrasher
E-mail: yokota-69@charter.net or Voice (800) 248-1946, x7423
Jay.Bucher@Bucherview-Metrology.com E-mail: lthrasher@asq.org
Immediate Past Chair, Nominating Chair

Graeme C. Payne
GK Systems, Inc.
4440 Weston Drive SW, Suite B
Lilburn, GA 30047 USA
Voice: (770) 931-4004 / Fax (866) 887-9344
E-mail: Graeme@gksystems.biz
Joe Simmons Scholarship

Norm Belecki
7413 Mill Run Dr
Derwood, MD 20855-1156
Voice (301) 869-4520
E-mail: n.belecki@ieee.org
MQD Page 30
ASQ MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION REGIONAL COUNCILORS
Regional Councilors represent the Division to members and Sections in their

geographic areas. Regional Councilors are appointed for renewable two-year
terms, and are advisory members of the Division leadership team.
Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) Region 9 (IN, KY, OH)
Mr. Jun Bautista Mr. Ryan Fischer, ASQ CCT
Genzyme Laboratory Accreditation Bureau
Cambridge, MA 02142 New Haven, IN 46774
E-mail: Jun.Bautista@genzyme.com E-mail: rfischer@l-a-b.com
Region 2 (NJ, NY, PA) Region 10 (OH, MI)

Volunteer Opportunity! Mark J. Schoenlein
E-mail: Mark.Schoenlein@us.o-i.com
Region 3 (CT, NJ, NY)
Region 11 (NC, SC, TN, VA)
Mr. Eduardo M. Heidelberg
Volunteer Opportunity!
Pfizer
Parlin, NJ 08859
E-mail: eheidelb@yahoo.com Region 12 (IL, MN, ND, SD, WI)
Dr. Donald S. Ermer
Region 4 (Canada) ASQ Fellow; Eugene L. Grant Medal (2001)
Mr. Alexander T. C. Lau University of Wisconsin—Madison
ExxonMobil Madison, WI 53706
Whitby, ON L1R 1R1 E-mail: Ermer@engr.wisc.edu
E-mail: alex.t.lau@exxonmobil.com
Region 13 (CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, SD, WY)
Region 5 (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA)
Mr. Richard A. Litts
Litts Quality Technologies Region 14 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, part of
Downington, PA 19335 Mexico)
E-mail: info@littsquality.com
Mr. R. Keith Bennett
Region 6 (AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, TRANSCAT
WY) Kingwood, TX 77339
Volunteer Opportunity! E-mail: kbennett@transcat.com
Region 7 (AZ, CA, NV, part of Mexico) Region 15 (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, Puerto Rico)
Mr. Randy D. Farmer Mr. E. Bryan Miller
Metrology Solutions ASQ Fellow
Chula Vista, CA 91913 Bryan Miller Consulting
E-mail: farmerrd2@cox.net Florence, AL 35633
E-mail: milleb@mindspring.com
Region 25 (all other countries)
Region 8 (OH, PA)
Dilip A. Shah
E = mc3 Solutions
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281-8215E-mail: em-
c3solu@aol.com, dashah@aol.com
MQD Page 31
news relea s e
No. NR1607, SEPTEMBER 2007
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The R ABQSA L ab orato r y A s s e s s o r Ce r t i f i c at i o n S c h e m e

L aunch: Increased Inte rn at i o n a l R e co g n i t i o n Fo r 1 7 0 2 5
Assessors
Sydney, Milwaukee, Athens: RABQSA has today launched its newly developed Laboratory Assessor
Certification Scheme designed to meet the requirements of Assessors working with the assessment and
accreditation of laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories.
The Scheme will provide third party recognition of the qualification of Laboratory Assessors and will
enhance the professional recognition of RABQSA Certified Assessors. The Scheme ensures that Assessors
meet or exceed the competencies for Assessors of laboratories.
The Scheme has been developed by RABQSA in liaison with the Mexican accreditation body Entitad
Mexicana de Acreditacion (EMA), the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories
(CAEAL), the Institute for National Measurement Standards National Research Council of Canada and the
American-based International Accreditation Service (IAS).
The Scheme provides international recognition for Assessors of laboratory competence, including
assessments using national or International laboratory standards, or other laboratory standards recognized
by RABQSA.
“Our accrediting body is a believer in the value of personnel certification, and that preparing for certification
elevates the knowledge and professionalism of the individual.” commented Hershal C. Brewer, Accreditation
Officer, International Accreditation Service. “We are pleased to have been involved with this effort.”
Ned Gravel, Manager Training & Quality, CAEAL said “The biggest attraction of this program is to show
the laboratories that those assessing them have also gone through some hoops for someone other than
the accreditation body. Our labs now believe they are not alone in having to go through a ‘credentialing’
process. They can see that the Assessors do too!”
“RABQSA finds invaluable the input and guidance from organizations working within the international
laboratory accreditation community” stated Peter Holtmann, Director Business Development & Marketing,
RABQSA, “we look forward to seeing this Scheme grow and contribute to the value of accreditation.”
More information can be found on the RABQSA website at www.rabqsa.com
RABQSA creates value for you and your customers

we design, develop, and deliver personnel and training certification services
relevant to your industry
p u b l i c co nt a c t
ASIA/PACIFIC THE AMERICAS EUROPE
Director Business Development Director Business Development Business Development Executive
pholtmann@rabqsa.com pholtmann@rabqsa.com ganas@rabqsa.com
ACLASS Accreditation Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keith Greenaway

September 25, 2007 Phone: 703-351-9139 x203
ACLASS Acquired by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board

ACLASS now part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and American
Society for Quality (ASQ) Family
ARLINGTON, VA – ACLASS Accreditation Services is pleased to announce its

acquisition by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). ACLASS will be
operating under the ANSI-ASQ family and expand ANAB’s range of conformity assessment
services to include accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025,
inspection bodies to ISO/IEC 17020, and reference material producers using ISO Guide 34.
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), headquartered in Milwaukee,

Wisconsin, currently accredits certification bodies (CBs) for ISO 9001 quality management
systems (QMS) and ISO 14001 environmental management systems (EMS), as well as numerous
industry-specific requirements. “The added expertise of ACLASS allows ANAB to further our
mission to be a value-added, cost-effective provider of accreditation of conformity assessment
services,” said Robert H. King, president of ANAB. “Expanding our services puts ANAB in a
position to increase the recognition of accreditation nationally and worldwide.”
“Combining ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board and ACLASS programs adds

value to conformity assessment services not only to our customers, but also to U.S. industry in
general,” said Keith Greenaway, President of ACLASS. “The united resources strengthen our
commitment to customer service.”
ACLASS customers will experience no change with their existing accreditation. “This
acquisition will not change the current management structure of ACLASS, our processes,
policies and procedures. Our customers can expect the same level of service,” stated Roger
Muse, ACLASS’ Vice President. “In fact, we will be adding additional technical personnel to the
staff of ACLASS in the coming weeks.”
ACLASS is a signatory to the ILAC, APLAC and IAAC multilateral recognition

arrangements for ISO/IEC 17025. “This acquisition allows ACLASS to strengthen its
commitment to providing technically competent accreditation services. ACLASS is excited to
now be part of the ANSI-ASQ family. This family is further strengthened with the addition of
ACLASS,” adds Keith Greenaway.
2009 N. 14th Street, Suite 502│ Arlington, VA 22201│ 703.351.9139│ www.aclasscorp.com

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board is a member of the International Accreditation
Forum (IAF) and a signatory of the IAF multilateral cooperative arrangements (MLAs) for QMS
and EMS. Through the IAF MLAs and the Multilateral Cooperative Accreditation Arrangement,
ANAB cooperates with other accreditation bodies around the world to provide value to its
accredited CBs and their clients, ensuring that accredited certificates are recognized nationally
and internationally. The global conformity assessment system ensures confidence and reduces
risk for customers engaging in trade worldwide. For more information about ANAB, visit
www.anab.org; for more information about ANSI, visit www.ansi.org; for more information
about ASQ visit www.asq.org.
For more information about ACLASS Accreditation Services, an ANSI-ASQ National

Accreditation Board company, visit www.aclasscorp.com.
####
2009 N. 14th Street, Suite 502│ Arlington, VA 22201│ 703.351.9139│ www.aclasscorp.com

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:

September 25, 2007 Penny Gamaché, 800-606-5394
pgamache@anab.org
ANAB Expands to Offer Lab Accreditation

ACLASS Acquisition Complements Management Systems Business
MILWAUKEE – The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) has

acquired Assured Calibration and Laboratory Accreditation Select Services, LLC
(ACLASS), expanding ANAB’s range of conformity assessment services to include
accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories.
ANAB is the U.S. accreditation body for management systems and is located in
Milwaukee. ACLASS is located in Arlington, Va.
With the acquisition of ACLASS, ANAB adds to its existing programs accreditation
of laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025, inspection bodies to ISO/IEC 17020, and reference
material producers using ISO Guide 34. ANAB accredits certification bodies (CBs) for
ISO 9001 quality management systems (QMS) and ISO 14001 environmental
management systems (EMS), as well as numerous industry-specific requirements.
“The added expertise of ACLASS allows ANAB to further our mission to be a

value-added, cost-effective provider of accreditation of conformity assessment
services,” said Robert H. King, president of ANAB. “Expanding our services puts ANAB in
a position to increase the recognition of accreditation nationally and worldwide.”
“Combining ANAB and ACLASS programs adds value to conformity assessment

services not only to our customers, but also to U.S. industry in general,” said Keith
Greenaway, president of ACLASS. “The united resources strengthen our commitment to
customer service.”
ACLASS is internationally recognized by ILAC, APLAC, and IAAC through the

signing of multilateral recognition arrangements. These arrangements facilitate the
acceptance of test and calibration data between ACLASS-accredited laboratories and the
international community.
(more)
Page 2, ANAB Expands to Offer Lab Accreditation
ANAB is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and a signatory

of the IAF multilateral cooperative arrangements (MLAs) for QMS and EMS. Through the
IAF MLAs and the Multilateral Cooperative Accreditation Arrangement, ANAB cooperates
with other accreditation bodies around the world to provide value to its accredited CBs
and their clients, ensuring that accredited certificates are recognized nationally and
internationally. The global conformity assessment system ensures confidence and
reduces risk for customers engaging in trade worldwide.
Under terms of the acquisition, the two ACLASS principals and current staff and
experts will be employed by ANAB and current ACLASS assessors are expected to
provide ongoing service to existing and new clients. There will be no change to the
ILAC recognition process.
“The ACLASS principals and assessors will continue to provide the same high level
of service valued by existing clients,” said King. “Although these lab accreditations are
now under the same ANSI and ASQ parentage as the management systems services
already in the ANAB portfolio, we will retain the strong customer service and experience
that make ACLASS the number one choice for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.”
As the U.S. accreditation body for management systems, ANAB accredits

certification bodies for ISO 9001 quality management systems (QMS) and ISO 14001
environmental management systems (EMS) as well as numerous industry-specific
requirements.
For more information about ANAB, visit www.anab.org.
For more information about ACLASS accreditation, visit www.aclasscorp.com.
####

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The Standard 12 Dec07

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Vol. 21, No.

CHAIR’S CORNER and potential members and is an important

Instituting a Training Culture

(Continued from page 4)

SMSgt Woody Niemann

ANSI/NSCL Z540.1-1994 (R2002) Withdrawn July 2007

Upcoming CCT exam dates and application dates are as follows;

March 12, 2008 February 8, 2008 Anaheim, California

June 7, 2008 April 4, 2008 ASQ Local Sections and

December 6, 2008 October 3, 2008 ASQ Local Sections and

June 6, 2009 April 10, 2009 ASQ Local Sections and

December 5, 2009 October 9, 2009 ASQ Local Sections and

METROLOGY EDUCATION AND TRAINING –

With so many technical professions trying to recruit potential

The goal of the NCSLI education and training program is essentially:

• Promote the Metrology profession to potential candidates

(Continued on page 10)

(Continued from page 9)

WORKPLACE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION LIAISON & OUTREACH

MARKETING LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE

What Does True RMS Mean?

Peak, Average & RMS

of every instantaneous point over one complete half-cycle -0.5

measure the average value, the sine wave can be passed

(Continued on page 12)

(Continued from page 11)

Measuring RMS Values

(Continued from page 12)

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program - NVLAP

Thomas Hettenhouser is the newest Program Manager for NVLAP

NVLAP participates in the IEEE/EMC symposium and conference

(Continued on page 15)

(Continued from page 14)

Laboratory Assessor Certification Now Available

Attendees Overcome Accreditation Roadblocks

(Continued from page 15)

Saving the Lives of Children, One Child at a Time

Egyptian Testing Labs Gain IAS Accreditation

Ethics - The Final Frontier

(Continued on page 19)

(Continued from page 18)

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.

The History of Obligatory Archery Practice!

(Continued from page 19)

(Continued from page 20)

Some Philosophizing About Lying

II. COSTS AND BENEFITS OF LYING

(Continued from page 21)

III. LYING TO ENEMIES

(Continued from page 22)

IV. LYING TO FRIENDS AND LOVED-ONES

(Continued from page 23)

V. LIES IN WORK AND BUSINESS

(Continued from page 24)

(Continued from page 25)

VI. LYING TO ONESELF

VII. LYING AND OPENNESS

(Continued from page 26)

VIII. LYING AND MORALIZING

(Continued from page 27)

MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Immediate Past Chair, Nominating Chair

Joe Simmons Scholarship