Instrumentation and
Measurement
5th Semester, 3rd Year (19EL)
B.E Electrical Engg. Program
Lecture # 03
Department of Electrical Engineering
Mehran University of Engg. & Technology,
Jamshoro
Chapter No. 1: Introduction
2
Functional elements of an instrument –
Static and dynamic characteristics –
Errors in measurement –
Statistical evaluation of measurement
data –
Standards and calibration
Terminology, accuracy, precision,
resolution, sensitivity, bandwidth,
decibel.
Functional Elements of an Instrument
3
Any instrument or measuring system can
be represented by a block diagram, that
indicates necessary elements and its
functions.
The entire operation of a measuring
system can be understand from the
following block diagram.
Functional Elements of an Instrument
4
Just take an example of analogue meter
used to measure current (Ammeter), all
necessary elements are shown in block
diagram.
INSTRUMENTATION
CHARACTERISTICS
Shows the performance of instruments to be used.
Divided into two categories: static and dynamic
characteristics.
Static characteristics refer to the comparison between
steady output and ideal output when the input is
constant.
Dynamic characteristics refer to the comparison
between instrument output and ideal output when the
input changes.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
1. ACCURACY
Accuracy is the ability of an instrument to show
the exact reading.
Always related to the extent of the wrong
reading/non accuracy.
Normally shown in percentage of error which of
the full scale reading percentage.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
2. PRECISION
An equipment which is precise is not
necessarily accurate.
Defined as the capability of an instrument to
show the same reading when used each time
(reproducibility of the instrument).
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
Example : XXX
XXX
X : result
Centre circle : true value
Low accuracy, high precision
XXX
XXXX
XXX
X X
High accuracy, high precision x x
Low accuracy, low precision
Accuracy vs Precision
High Precision, but low
accuracy.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
3. TOLERANCE
Closely related to accuracy of an equipment where
the accuracy of an equipment is sometimes referred
to in the form of tolerance limit.
Defined as the maximum error expected in an
instrument.
Explains the maximum deviation of an output
component at a certain value.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
4. RANGE OF SPAN
Defined as the range of reading
between minimum value and
maximum value for the
measurement of an instrument.
The range of span of an instrument
which has a reading range of –
100°C to 100 °C is 200 °C.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
5. BIAS
Constant error which occurs during the measurement of
an instrument.
This error is usually rectified through calibration.
Example :
A weighing scale always gives a bias reading. This
equipment always gives a reading of 1 kg even without
any load applied. Therefore, if A with a weight of 70 kg
weighs himself, the given reading would be 71 kg. This
would indicate that there is a constant bias of 1 kg to be
corrected.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
6. LINEARITY
Maximum deviation from linear relation
between input and output.
The output of an instrument has to be
linearly proportionate to the measured
quantity.
The graph shows the output reading of an
instrument when a few input readings are
entered.
Linearity = maximum deviation from the
reading of x and the straight line.
Linearity
Output
Readings
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
7. SENSIVITY
Defined as the ratio of change in output
towards the change in input at a steady
state condition.
Sensitivity (K) = Δθο
Δθi
Δθο : change in output; Δθi : change in
input
Sensitivity
Most sensitive
Variation of the physical variables
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
8. DEAD SPACE / DEAD BAND
- +
Dead Space
Defined as the range of input reading when
there is no change in output (unresponsive
system).
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
9. RESOLUTION
The smallest change in input
reading that can be traced
accurately.
Available in digital
instrumentation.
STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
10. THRESHOLD
When the reading of an input is
increased from zero, the input
reading will reach a certain value
before change occurs in the output.
The minimum limit of the input
reading is ‘threshold’.
DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Explains the behaviour system of instruments
system when the input signal is changed.
Depends on a few standard input signals such as
‘step input’, ‘ramp input’ dan ‘sine-wave input’.
DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Step Input
Sudden change in input signal from
steady state.
The output signal for this kind of input is
known as ‘transient response’.
Input
Time
DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Ramp Input
The signal changes linearly.
The output signal for ramp input
is ‘ramp response’.
Input
Time
DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Sine-wave Input
The signal is harmonic.
The output signal is ‘frequency response’.
Input
Time
Response time
EXAMPLE OF DYNAMIC
CHARACTERISTICS
Response from a 2nd order instrument:
Output
100%
90%
10%
tr
Time
Q & A,
THANK YOU.
