Measuring Instruments

DEFINITION

A measuring instrument is a device used to compare.

proportions or magnitudes with a pattern (unit of
measure) or previously established standard. The measuring instruments are
the ones in charge of making this comparison possible between the object to be measured and the
pattern, throwing a number that logically indicates this relationship.

The action being carried out is measuring and the process is the measurement.

History of measuring instruments

Uno de los primeros conceptos estilizados por el hombre fue el del número, dado
that had the urgency to manifest numerically everything that was in
his environment. From that moment on, man began to value things through
of a simple counting of objects.
Since human beings have been on earth, there has been the need to
improve his living condition, which led him to constantly explore
new territories. In the beginning, they measured these long distances using as
solar cycles, which were also a clear reference of time.
The first measurements were made from quite rudimentary units,
creating measurement patterns (natural patterns) based on body parts
human like the arm, the palm of the hand, and the foot, etc.
In the end, measurement systems emerged. This was due to the fact that the first
the measures that were taken varied depending on the individual and that created
differences among the men who initiated commercial activity.

Types of Measurement Instruments

OF ANGLES

Theangle measurement instrumentsthey are used to measure the angle between

two lines, very common in mechanics
Sextant
This instrument allows measuring the angles that are found between two objects.
these being the points of some element that are located in space, by
the determination of this length is very precise.

Goniometer
This angle measuring instrument consists of a semicircle, or a
circle, which is used for the measurement or construction of an angle in
special, besides that this is graduated at 180° or 360°.

Compass
It is one of the most used angle measuring instruments in all
areas, which has a circular or semicircular shape that is located
graduated in 180° or 360°, and it allows measuring or constructing angles.
It is almost the same as the goniometer, but its structure is different from this one and the compass.
it is widely used, both professionally and academically.

Transporter
Just like the compass, it is one of the instruments for measuring angles.
used, this is also a semicircle, which is capable of measuring
angles up to 180°.

Capserrat
This measuring instrument is also known as a false square,
which is used to copy, verify, and mark specific angles of a place to
another, which makes it ideal for carpentry work.

Squad
It is similar to a conventional ruler, the difference being that it is used
only to measure right angles, that is, angles that are equal to 90°.

OF CAPACITY

Thecapacity measurement instrumentssensor to measure the capacity of a

container, the unit of measurement is the liter, some are:

Bureta
Graduated Cylinder
Test tube
Flask
Test tube
Precipitate flask
OF DENSITY

Thedensity measurement instrumentsused to measure the density of

liquids, solids, and gases directly.

Densimeter
Pycnometer
Hydrostatic balance
Mohr balance
Lactometer
Aerometer
Salinometer
Sacarometer

OF LENGTH

Thelength measuring instrumentsone of the most popular and widely used

to take distance measurements.
 Measuring Tape
Perhaps the ultimate measuring instrument for length for those who
they urgently require establishing short distances between reference points in
a short distance area. Although it is easy to use, there are different models.
measuring tapes that can be adapted to the proportions of the project that
carry out and the precision requirements of the length measurements that are
they chase.

Graduated Rule
One of the first instruments we used to measure distances and
understand the importance of accurate length capture in development
school or academic activities. The Graduated Rule is basically a
flat rectangular iron, made of wood, plastic, or metal that allows
determine lengths through a scale engraved on its body.

Vernier Caliper
In the world of physical sciences, the concept of length encompasses different
aspects of bodies and structures that require special instruments
to be determined and therefore easily quantified. The Vernier is a
measuring instrument that allows knowing interior, exterior diameters and
depths of objects and surfaces that need to be determined by it
general in the industrial field.

Micrometer
High precision measurements but very small in size also have
its specialized measurement instruments. For this, the Micrometer is the option
A micrometer is a device used for capturing the module.
longitudinal of very small angular or linear measurements.

Odometer
The distances and lengths between points in ancient times were measured through
human steps or feet, this process was called 'cartajoneo' and allowed for
approximate measurements of certain lengths. With technological evolution and the
development of new structures that require precise length calculations, this
distance measurement exercise was perfected, achieving the
creation of the Odometer as a Measuring Instrument.

OF MASS
Themass measuring instrumentsin those that determine the quantity of
matter that a body has, in Kg or Pounds

Balance
This is a type of instrument basically defined as a lever, that
it contains two analog arms, which maintain balance when placing the weighing object
between two weights and allows the measurement of masses.

Scale
Commonly, the scale has a vertical platform, on which the
object to weigh, unlike other instruments in which the object to be measured,
It must be hanging. This tool easily allows the measurement of objects.
large size.

Catarometer
This constitutes a tool that allows, in basic terms, the measurement of the
composition of a quantity of gases, in short, is usually an instrument
what determines the thermal conductivity of an element, thus indirectly
it can be used to measure mass.

OF WEIGHT

Theweight measuring instrumentsin those that measure gravitational force that

acts on an object (is not the same as mass)

Dynamometer
Such a measuring artifact is not exclusive for obtaining mass values.
Its operation is indicated for measuring different types of force, through
physical principles applied to a spring. This is generally placed
inside a cylinder that matches its caliber.
 Barometer

Rain gauge

OF PRESSURE

Thepressure measurement instruments pthey must know the pressure at which

a fluid (gas or liquid) is subjected

Barometer
The barometer is the ideal pressure measurement instrument when what you
search is to measure atmospheric pressure. The oldest accurate barometers that
they knew they had a column of liquid that equaled the weight of the atmosphere,
and this was enclosed in a tube that offered a view of the existing pressure in
a determined environment.

Pitot tube
The Pitot tube is useful for measuring wind speed, quantifying velocities.
of air and industrial gases. In other words, this instrument is used to measure the
speed that the flow current can reach. although it is not specifically
a pressure measuring instrument, combined with the barometer can be of
great utility for measuring specific atmospheric conditions.

Manometer
Manometers as pressure measurement instruments are used to measure
the pressure of gases or liquids in closed containers. With it, we can distinguish the
absolute atmospheric pressure, the result of which is, then, the pressure
manometric. In industry, pressure gauges are commonly used, as
they accurately show the information required by users, even to
very high levels of pressure.
 Vacuum gauge
This pressure measuring instrument is used to measure vacuum, which
It means that it only measures pressures that are below the pressure.
atmospheric.

Pressure sensors
These sensors have a design to apply pressure to other materials, the
which deform due to being made of elastic material, and this deformation is proportional
with the applied pressure.

U Tube
The operation of this instrument is based on placing liquid in one of the
extremes and leave the other free and in contact with the material to be measured
the pressure, and this will only happen when the liquid moves.

Bourdon tube
A pressure measuring instrument that is elastic and metallic, it has
a flattened structure, and when pressure is applied, it will take a special curved shape
straightening up.

Blower
It is a pressure measuring instrument which has a bellows or accordion, and
it is this one that is pressed and thus stretched, and with this movement it will make that
a needle moves which will indicate the pressure.

Sphygmomanometer
It is an inflatable cuff, which is used in medicine to measure blood pressure.
arterial, for this the use of a stethoscope is necessary to achieve auscultation
of the sounds, it works with air or with mercury.

OF TEMPERATURE

Intemperature measuring instruments Lthe thermometers are the most

used, measure the amount of heat of a body.
 Maximum and Minimum Thermometer
This is one of the oldest tools, it was invented in the year 1782 and
they were used to measure atmospheric temperature, with it one can determine
the highest and lowest temperature of the environment, obtaining really significant figures
accurate, which has led to preventing large losses in disasters
natural.

Metal Thermometer
These instruments have a fairly extensive use, given that they are made
to withstand high temperatures, aggressive process fluids or environments of
quite a diversity, they are widely used by the food industry,
farmacéutica y química, dado que estas ramas tienen un manejo amplio de lo que
They can be quite abrasive fluids.

Pyrometer
This tool allows you to measure the temperature of a substance without the need for
to get in touch with her. It is perfectly useful for measuring the temperature of
incandescent metals in steel mills, which makes it a
a primary tool for large industries.

Thermo-hygrograph
This instrument has been created with the purpose of measuring humidity and
air temperature simultaneously, is a tool that is used by
the World Meteorological Organization to study the climate, with the intention of
to have the highest severity possible in the weather information of each area.

OF TIME

Thetime measurement instrumentsused to determine the

moments when certain events occur.
 Sundial
This instrument was invented by the Egyptians thousands of years ago, and used in
Greek, Chinese, and Roman culture. This device is also called Gnomon, the
What is used to measure time, through the shadow cast by the sun.

Candles
Candles were used in the Middle Ages as a time-measuring device in the
Currently, only the churches maintain it, its operation was based on
calculate the time as the fire consumed the candle completely.

Hourglass
Instrument used in ocean navigation, which is based on its operation in
the amount of sand that it possesses, being poured from one side to the other by
through a central hole.

Water clocks
These time measuring instruments were used in ancient times when the
sundials or gnomons did not function correctly because they were days
nubbly

It was enough for this clock to tell the time by the flow of water that passed through.
inside of him.

Mechanical watch
This was built in the year 1280, being the first instrument that did not measure the
time through a natural phenomenon.

Éste usaba un péndulo para poder marcar la hora, el cual luego se convirtió en
gears and is currently a pocket watch.

Stopwatch
A time-measuring instrument that was used by navigators, since
he managed to provide an accuracy of travel time and was always worn on the wrist,
what facilitated its use.

Quartz watch
This type of instrument is a current watch, which is made with a crystal.
quartz makes the movement of the hands much more precise,
that provides a more accurate hour.

Atomic clock
The first example of this type of watch was built in 1949, moreover,
these are known as the most accurate watches being one of the
most recent time measurement instruments.
 Smart watch
This type of watch is one of the most used today, which, in addition to
offer a digital hour, precise and exact also has the function of being a
smartphone.

Successfully sending and receiving calls without any issues, in addition to having your
contacts on social networks.

Calendar
This time measuring instrument dates back many years ago, which
measures the time in days, weeks, months, and years, being used to date
current without any type of inconvenience.
OF SPEED

Thevelocity measurement instruments midentify the distance traveled in a

determined time interval.

Speedometer
Without a doubt, it is the most well-known tool for carrying out this procedure.
surely you have heard of her too, it is commonly used for
determine the speed of a vehicle while covering a distance
determined.

It is considered to have a quite simple operation and has a tolerance.

of a 10% error taking into account whether it is analog or digital.

Anemometer
Although it is not very well known to many, it offers the possibility of
measure the wind speed. It has been used over time to predict the
climatic conditions of a certain area.
 Tachometer
It is quite well known, because if you have driven a car, you will have seen it repeatedly.
opportunities, it is considered a device that measures the speed of turns of a
The speed is determined by Revolutions Per Minute.

OF VOLUME

Thevolume measurement instrumentsand are used to measure physical space

occupied by an object.

The Test Tube

The first measuring instrument presented is the graduated cylinder, typical of the
laboratories of health sciences and scientific development

Precipitate Flask
Perhaps one of the easiest volume measuring instruments to recognize,
well, its use in the domestic area is more everyday than other instruments of the
same frame.

The Flask
Measuring instrument always present in laboratories where there are
reactives and chemicals that can become harmful to human health.

ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT
Theelectrical measuring instruments umeasures to quantify amounts, magnitudes
or electrical parameters.
Ammeter
It is an instrument capable of measuring the intensity of electric current, its unit
de medida es el amperio y sus submúltiplos, el miliamperio y el micro-amperio.
Depending on the type of current, it can be used. Ideally, it should be used.
when we measure a direct current and not an alternating one.

Voltmeter
Measure the value of tension in electric current, having as unit of
measurement of the volt and its multiples; the megavolt and kilovolt; and the sub-multiples
like the millivolt and the microvolt. It is very similar to the galvanometer, but with the
difference of having a resistance in series.

The Ohmmeter
It's like a mix between the two previous instruments, the Voltmeter and the
Ammeter, it just has a battery and an adjustable resistance.
at zero on the Ohm scale. It consists of specifying the ohmic value of a
unknown resistance to measure the continuity of a conductor and detect
breakdowns in circuits.

Multimeter
It is an instrument that uses parameters in its operation
ammeter, the voltmeter and the ohmmeter. Through a switch they can
selected their functions, depending on the type of current. There are of the type
analog and digital.

Oscilloscope
It is an instrument capable of presenting its results to us through
graphical representations, whose electrical signals can change over time.
It allows us to visualize unusual and transient events as well as waves in
electrical and electronic circuits; and thanks to their analysis, it is possible to detect the
problems with the operation of a certain circuit.
Importance of measurement equipment

You must have wondered how to measure without measuring instruments? What
What would we do if these measuring devices or apparatus did not exist?
Currently, in our daily activities such as preparing a recipe,
complete the car's oil level, plan an appointment with a calendar, or
simply looking at the time, it shows the great use of measurements we make, and in
Many cases are essential. But what would happen if there were a total
absence of instruments to measure physical quantities in our lives?
Evolution has been present throughout the entire existence of human beings and
por consiguiente, también evolucionan las cosas inventadas por él; por ejemplo,
Before, the elbow, the palm, arrobas, among others were used; nowadays there are already
more sophisticated measuring devices such as the measuring tape (meter), the
scale, the thermometer, etc. Whenever we need to know the magnitudes of
some properties are used that exist or new tools are created that
allow to measure any phenomenon that occurs in our environment.

In the scientific study

The first step of the scientific research method is Observation, which is
based on the ability to analyze the general characteristics of an object
(Extrinsic Analysis).
This leads to a subsequent more detailed and precise inspection of some of its
characteristics (Intrinsic Analysis), for which some must be employed
instrument that allows for clear observation and data collection
unknowns based on the already known.
In medicine

Toda la evolución que se ha logrado en la medicina, así como en muchos otros

fields, it is due to measurement, and specifically to the advancement of metrology.
Would it be possible to think about creating a formula for a flu remedy to combat those?
discomforts? Maybe you are one of those who prefers natural medicine, but think about
something more delicate; for example, all strains of viruses existing on the planet What
Would it be your life expectancy without vaccines that have been formulated for decades? Or more?
still delicate, an open-heart surgery without even an indicator instrument
of vital signs. Would it be possible?

Classification of measuring instruments

We have set aside the fact that instruments can be analog.

or digital ones, since it is not such a relevant aspect, and despite the differences between
both types, in the end the indicated value tends to be the same, whether presented in a
LED screen or on a printed scale.
Measurement instruments can be classified in three ways:
According to the role they fulfill within the system.
According to the operating mechanism of the instrument.
According to the variable measured by the devices (types).
This last way of classifying instruments is usually called: types of
measurements that are made using an instrument, for which we have allocated
toda una sección para hablar de los tipos de instrumentos.

Classification according to its function

This classification is based on the function that each of the instruments serves.
within the process where it is installed. We have instruments that allow us
allow: to take, to indicate, to register, to transmit, to transform, to receive and to control from
from a signal collected by a primitive element; and then act through a
final element.
The following gallery showcases the instruments that are used.

Classification according to its principle of operation

This classification according to the principle of operability is simpler: The

instruments can be: Electrical, Hydraulic, Mechanical, Pneumatic and the
some cases work by combining two types of energies such as
the Electromechanical and Electropneumatic.

Electrical Measuring Instruments have a principle of operation.

based on small charges or electrical resistances
These Hydraulic Measurement Instruments are those based on the use of the
pressure exerted by a liquid like oil or another to function

The Mechanical Measuring Instruments have a working principle in

base of screws, gears, and more mechanical parts

In the case of Pneumatic Measuring Instruments, they use energy from a gas.
pressure to make its mechanism work
Classification according to the variable being measured:

As mentioned at the beginning, these are the types of instruments

How do measuring instruments work?

The operation of measuring instruments varies according to the type. However,

There are certain functionalities that are maintained in every measuring instrument.
that exists.

The proper functioning of these devices largely depends on the use they are given.
it would be worthless to have the most precise measuring instrument in the world if in the end it is
manipulated incorrectly, an accurate measurement of reality is not obtained,
It would have an inaccurate reading. That said, let's see how they work.
The principle of the measuring instrument lies in the comparison of a magnitude.
physics with a standardized or simply pre-chosen measurement pattern.
That is to say, it is necessary to know what is intended to be measured, whether it is the presence or
absence of something, or an exact amount.

Are there direct and indirect measuring instruments?

In the first case, a direct comparison is made between the object or magnitude that
it wants to be measured and the pattern, when measuring the length of a table using a meter or
The tape measure is used for a direct measurement.
 Direct measurement with a tape measure

In the case of indirect measurements, we talk about the solutions we take.

when making the comparison between the object and the pattern cannot be done in a way
direct

For example, when wanting to know the temperature of a liter of water, in this case it will be
It is necessary to have a thermocouple that performs this indirect measurement and presents us with the
result of approximation with respect to the measurement standard. Another example would be to
wanting to know the height of a tree without the possibility of measuring directly, in that
if we apply mathematical operations that lead us to know the result.

An indirect measurement of the tree's height

The case of electrical properties deserves special attention, since they do not
You can see or hear it, and touching it can be deadly. To measure these properties, they are used
devices that use another physical magnitude that can be more "manipulable" like the
electromagnetism, which is responsible for creating magnetic fields
proportional to electricity.
 Performing measurement of electrical properties

These fields produce a force that can be appreciated according to the elongation of
a spiral or spring. Analog ammeters are one of the equipment that
they work that way.

Next, we will insert a complete data table with the 100 instruments.
most common measurement units ordered alphabetically and in columns.
Measuring instruments today

In this section, we identify the instruments used today to measure, and

To achieve this, we have grouped them according to the fields of application.
Considered as those elements that are used to verify the
physical magnitudes, mass or density of spaces, substances, objects, time,
etc., modern measuring instruments are classified based on their purpose that
They fulfill for their user. Likewise, their use will be determined by the concept of
precision that involves certain tasks, in specific cases or circumstances.
In this list, we have measuring instruments that are used in everyday life.
Doctors, engineers, workers, students, housewives, pharmacists,
meteorologists, electricians and all the people that exist, almost daily use
measuring instruments

In the laboratory
In a mechanic's workshop
In a company
In the industry
In a meteorological station
In a pharmacy
In a hospital
At home
The importance of the improvements that have been made in this type of instruments is
reflects its applicability in recent years. For example, thanks to the thermometer
electronic, taking the temperature of a living being now takes less than a minute,
when it previously required five.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://measurementinstruments.org/

https://es.slideshare.net/albertojeca/clasificacion-de-instrumentos-de-medicion

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrumento_de_medici%C3%B3n#Instrumentos