4.1 Testing machines that apply and indicate force are in general use in many industries. Practices E4 has been written to provide a practice for the force verification of these machines. A necessary element in Practices E4 is the use of force-measuring instruments whose force characteristics are known to be traceable to the SI. Practices E74 describes how these force-measuring instruments are to be calibrated. The procedures are useful to users of testing machines, manufacturers and providers of force-measuring instruments, calibration laboratories that provide the calibration of the instruments and the documents of traceability, service organizations that use the force-measuring instruments to verify testing machines, and testing laboratories performing general structural test measurements.

1.1 The purpose of these practices is to specify procedures for the calibration of force-measuring instruments. Procedures are included for the following types of instruments:

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Other metric and inch-pound values are regarded as equivalent when required.

1.3 These practices are intended for the calibration of static force measuring instruments. It is not applicable for dynamic or high speed force calibrations, nor can the results of calibrations performed in accordance with these practices be assumed valid for dynamic or high speed force measurements.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.