All the instruments or equipment in the scientific engineering industry that are known to perform the tasks of testing, measuring, analyzing, controlling, calibrating, displaying and recording data in laboratory and other testing situations are better known as Test and Measurement Equipment. They include a wide variety of applications that covers almost every arena be it analytical instruments used to view and prepare samples, or electrical testing equipment for reading current and voltage, to process controllers and data loggers used to control entire systems, and even to record and output results.

Types of Test and Measurement Equipment

Test and measure instruments is a vast category that includes various sub headings. They have been discussed below -
Calibration Instruments – These equipments are used for analyzing material samples, or their components, and record data specific to that particular application. These instruments consist of an accurate meter or provide a precision source value.

Electrical and Electronic Test Accessories – While current leakage and insulation resistance measurements are performed by electrical testing devices, electronic test accessories comprise of those connectors, cables, and accessories that are used for electrical and electronic testing.

Environmental Test Equipment – A wide variety of instruments that are installed in the environmental test chambers and other specialized equipment and specialize in providing a temperature, humidity, or atmosphere controlled environment for testing or evaluating products or materials fall under the category of environmental test equipment.

Non Destructive Test Equipment – All those test and measure equipment that are devised in the testing methods that involve examining an object, material, or system without impairing its future usefulness are termed as non destructive test equipment. These set of instruments include flaws, thickness, material condition, corrosion, bulk conductivity and others.

Vibration Testing – Vibrating testing devices are those instruments that are into designing for testing, producing, controlling or measuring oscillatory or vibratory motion.

Industry Growth

The world is an emerging market as believed by test and measurement equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Earlier, despite playing a pivotal role in most industrial segments, the T&M industry had remained a less glorified performer while the glamour and glitz have been enjoyed by core industry devices. But this trend has changed. Robust growth, that has been witnesses in various countries which have manifested devoutly in the test and measure equipment market, has rejuvenated the growth of this industry. The annual growth is expected to be 30% in the coming years. The revenues generated by the test and measuring equipments industry was estimated to be $1.77 billion in 2006, with estimates to reach $2.33 billion in 2013.

Applications

The application of these test and measure equipments are so wide that they cannot be categorized under a single head. Although initially it was in a stagnant position, today its potential is being realized in various field. Besides, laboratories and scientific research centers, they are used in industries like automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, telecommunications and defense as well. Various new researches that are being conducted all over the world are also helping it prove beneficial in new arenas too.

Major Market Players

United States of America stands as the largest manufacturer of electronic test & measurement instruments market through 2001-2010. With sales reaching a profit of US$1.4 billion, this surge which is estimated to grow further in the upcoming years is projected to be fuelled by growth in electronics, telecommunication, personal entertainment, and Internet infrastructure industries. Next in line are the Asia Pacific countries like China, which is fast emerging as the global leader in test and measure equipment industry. As per the reports, China's test equipment manufacturers will be making more sales due to increased investments in the aerospace, military and defense industries.

Test and Measure Equipment Publications

Test and Measure World – This is a popular publication for engineers involved in electronics test, measurement, and inspection. Published since 1981, test and measure world is regarded as the industry leader and has been voted the most-preferred publication in the industry in more than 43 independent readership studies. This journal provides practical content and industry updates for engineers and engineering managers worldwide.

Microwave Journal – This trade publication serves design and development engineer and engineering managers in the fields of wireless, radar, navigation, communications systems and military systems. Catering to the test and measure equipment industry, the main aim of the journal is to bring together both the research and development aspects of the radio frequency (RF) technology covering the whole range of sub-gigahertz to sub-millimeter-wave frequency spectrum.

Test and Measure Equipment Associations

Electronic Test Equipment Supplier's Association – This non profit organization is an informative resource for dealers of used electronic test and measurement equipment, with supporting membership from others allied to the trade. The main aim of the association is to assist consumer decision making through research, education and advocacy. Through their easy to use interface they want to disseminate knowledge regarding the test and measure industry to all those interested in the used test equipment market.

Measurement Control and Automation Association – ISA's Test Measurement Division covers the measurement, instrumentation and techniques associated with providing test data for product development and evaluation. The Measurement, Control & Automation Association is an industry association whose member companies design, manufacture and sell instrumentation and equipment used by American industries that demand product compliance which must be certified by third-party testing laboratories.

National Association of Testing Authorities – The national Association of Testing Authorities is a Australia's national laboratory accreditation authority. NATA accreditation recognizes and promotes facilities competent in specific types of testing, measurement, inspection and calibration. NATA accredited testing facilities are able to advertise their accreditation on their test certificates and in general advertising. Besides, publishing its Internet directory, NATA is updated on a daily basis and includes the laboratories' contact details plus information on their testing capabilities.