This practice provides information necessary to document the accuracy and performance of an Acoustic Emission system. This information is useful for reference purposes to assure that the instrumentation performance remains consistent with time and use, and provides the information needed to adjust the system to maintain its consistency.

The methods set forth in this practice are not intended to be either exclusive or exhaustive.

Difficult or questionable instrumentation measurements should be referred to electronics engineering personnel.

It is recommended that personnel responsible for carrying out instrument measurements using this practice should be experienced in instrumentation measurements, as well as all the required test equipment being used to make the measurements.

This practice deals with the testing and measurement of operating characteristics of acoustic emission (AE) electronic components or units. This practice is not intended for routine checks of acoustic emission instrumentation, but rather for periodic evaluation or in the event of a malfunction. The sensor is not addressed in this document other than suggesting methods for standardizing system gains (equalizing them channel to channel) when sensors are present. The test methods and measurement techniques used and their corresponding results should be recorded in documentation, which consists of photographs, charts or graphs, calculations, and tabulations where applicable. This practice does not cover the testing of the computer or computer peripherals used in conjunction with AE systems that use them to control the collection, storage, display, and analysis of data. Instead a manufacturer's specification should be provided for such purpose.

1.1 This practice is recommended for use in testing and measuring operating characteristics of acoustic emission electronic components or units. (See Appendix X1 for a description of components and units.) It is not intended that this practice be used for routine checks of acoustic emission instrumentation, but rather for periodic evaluation or in the event of a malfunction. The sensor is not addressed in this document other than suggesting methods for standardizing system gains (equalizing them channel to channel) when sensors are present.

1.2 Where the manufacturer provides testing and measuring details in an operating and maintenance manual, the manufacturer's methods should be used in conjunction with the methods described in this practice.

1.3 The methods (techniques) used for testing and measuring the components or units of acoustic emission instrumentation, and the results of such testing and measuring should be documented. Documentation should consist of photographs, screenshots, charts or graphs, calculations, and tabulations where applicable.

1.4 AE systems that use computers to control the collection, storage, display, and data analysis, might include waveform collection as well as a wide selection of measurement parameters (features) relating to the AE signal. The manufacturer provides a specification for each system that specifies the operating range and conditions for the system. All calibration and acceptance testing of computer-based AE systems must use the manufacturer's specification as a guide. This practice does not cover testing of the computer or computer peripherals.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.