2009-03-13

NIKE TEST EQ51 – Circumference of Soccer Balls

1. Inflation and conditioning

Inflating
The soccer balls are inflated with compressed air to a defined pressure according to the
specification set in the Nike Soccer Ball Test Protocol. The air pressure in the soccer ball is
measured with a pressure gauge, between the pressure gauge and the needle is a valve with
which air can be released. The needle is lubricated with glycerin.

Conditioning
The soccer balls are conditioned for at least 24 hours in a standard atmosphere of
temperature 20°C ± 2°C and relative humidity 65% ± 5%.

2. Principle

The conditioned soccer balls are inflated to a defined pressure. The diameter of the ball is
measured at 16 exactly defined points. The circumference is calculated from the arithmetical
mean of the sixteen diameters measured.

3. Apparatus

The apparatus (see fig. 1) consists of:

a) height gauge with a scale from 0 to 600 ± 0.2mm
b) data processor
c) precision surface plate
Fig 1: Digital Height Gauge

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2009-03-13
NIKE TEST EQ51 – Circumference of Soccer Balls

4. Preparation of the Specimens

The panels of one hemisphere of the Soccer balls are numbered 1 to 16 (for soccer balls
with 32 panels). Number one always being the panel with the valve, the panels 2 to 6 are
joined to the panel with the valve and panels 7 to 16 are joined to the panels numbered 2
to 6. The conditioned Soccer balls are re-checked to ensure the test pressure is with the
defined pressure ± 0.005 bar. Adjust the ball pressure accordingly if the measured value
is not within the defined pressure ± 0.005 bar.
For soccer balls with 18 oblong panels, the points of measurements are noted as follows:

5. Procedure

A soccer ball is placed under the scriber of the height gauge so that:
a) the middle of panel is directly under the scriber
b) the diameter measured is at right angles to the precision plate.
The scriber is lowered using the slider fine adjustment device so that it lightly touches the
surface of the panel. The diameter at the middle of the panel is measured (accuracy + 0.2 mm).
The arithmetical mean (d) of the sixteen diameters is determined; the circumference is
calculated using the equation
Circumference = d
The mean circumference of each soccer ball is recorded in the test report. The mean diameter
will be later used for calculation of the amplitude of the compression plate in the water
absorption test of the INSPECTED footballs.
Note: All measurements are undertaken under a standard atmosphere of temperature 20°C
± 2°C and relative humidity 65% ± 5%.

6. Test Criteria

Please refer to the most current version of Nike Soccer Ball Test Protocol.

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