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CHAPTER 1
BASIC MEASUREMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learning objectives are stated at the beginning of each chapter. These learning objectives serve as a
preview of the information you are expected to learn in the chapter. The comprehensive check questions
and answers are based on the objectives and enable you to check your progress through the reading
assignments. By successfully completing the OCC/ECC, you demonstrate that you have met the
objectives and have learned the information. The learning objectives for this chapter are listed below.
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
1. Explain the importance of performing basic electronic measurements.
2. Explain the importance of voltage measurements in troubleshooting.
3. Identify the various methods of performing voltage measurements.
4. Identify the various methods of performing current measurements.
5. Identify the various methods of performing resistance measurements.
6. Identify the various methods of performing capacitance measurements.
7. Identify the various methods of measuring inductance.
INTRODUCTION TO MEASUREMENTS
In today’s modern Navy, a large part of a ship’s, submarine’s, or aircraft’s ability to complete its
mission depends on the efficiency of sophisticated electronic systems. As the technician responsible for
these systems, you are the focal point in ensuring their reliability. In the event of a system failure, it is
your responsibility to repair the system and to do so in a timely manner. Whether you are troubleshooting
a faulty system or performing preventive maintenance, you are required to perform basic electronic
measurements on a regular basis. This chapter will acquaint you with various alternative methods of
performing measurements and discuss the relative merits and demerits of each method.
No discussion of electronic test equipment or electronic measurements would be complete without
mentioning the Navy’s Metrology Calibration (METCAL) program. Figure 1-1 shows the METCAL
structure. Basically, the METCAL program is an elaborate quality control system designed to compare
your electronic test equipment with test equipment of much greater accuracy. When you submit your
piece of test equipment for calibration, it is compared with the calibration laboratory’s equipment
(referred to as STANDARDS), which are generally at least four times more accurate than yours. If your
equipment does not meet specifications, it is either repaired, adjusted, or rejected with an explanation of
why the calibration laboratory was unable to calibrate it. The accuracy of equipment at your local
calibration laboratory is ensured by calibration of the test equipment to the standards of the next higher
echelon calibration laboratory. The accuracies of test equipment at each higher echelon is increased by a
ratio of approximately 4 to 1.
