2.4.

6 Accuracy class
Class of pressure balances that meet certain metrological requirements intended
to keep errors within specified limits.

2.4.7 Calibration
The set of operations which establishes, under specified conditions, the relation-
ship between the values of pressure indicated by a pressure balance and the
corresponding values of pressure realized by a reference standard.

2.4.8 Cross float sensitivity

For a pressure balance tested by comparison against a standard pressure bal-
ance, the minimum change in load that results in a detectable change in the
equilibrium of both the tested and the standard pressure balances.

2.5 General conditions

2.5.1 Rated operating conditions

The conditions of use of a pressure balance for which its metrological char-
acteristics are intended to meet the requirements concerning maximum per-
missible errors.

2.5.2 Reference conditions

The conditions of use prescribed for testing the performance of a pressure bal-
ance or for intercomparison of measurement results.

2.6 Datum levels

2.6.1 Operating level of the piston

The level of the piston, with respect to a clearly defined part of the support
column or the base of a pressure balance.

2.6.2 Pressure reference level

The vertical level, with respect to a clearly defined part of the support column or
the base of a pressure balance, to which a measured pressure is related when the
piston is at a specific operating level.

3 Description of the instrument

3.1 General
3.1.1 A pressure balance is an instrument intended for measuring the pressure of a
medium, based upon the principle of balancing the force produced by the measured
pressure on a known area with the gravitational force of known loaded weights, as
realized with a piston-cylinder assembly.
3.1.2 In a pressure balance with direct loading, the balancing weights act directly on the
piston.
3.1.3 In a pressure balance with a simple-type piston-cylinder assembly, the measuring
system consists of a cylindrical piston and a simple cylinder, the atmospheric pressure
acting on the exterior surface of the cylinder.
3.1.4 In a pressure balance with a re-entrant type piston-cylinder assembly, the meas-
ured pressure acts over a portion of the exterior surface of the cylinder.

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