Measurement & Instrumentation

(EE-312)
Lecture 03 & 04

by:
Dr. Sufi Tabassum Gul
DEE, PIEAS
 Measurement & Instrumentation

• Instrumentation deals with:

o Sensors/ transducers
o Monitoring and
o Controlling of physical parameters
• Generally instruments are used as follows:
1. Monitoring of processes and operations
2. Control of processes and operations
3. Experimental engineering analysis
 Objectives of Measurement

• To establish the validity of design

• To predict capacity limits
• To provide information needed to supplement further
analytical work
 Branches of M&I

• Electronic instrumentation
• Mechanical instrumentation
• Bio-medical instrumentation &
• Meteorology
 Advantages of Instrumentation Systems

• Remote measurement
• Accurate measurement
• Measurement in adverse conditions: nuclear reactors, space
applications, etc

• Convenience: recording of data, printout, etc

• Reduction in size.
The three main functions of any
measuring system
General measuring system
A single channel measuring system
A three-channel measuring system with
one central processor.
TR = transduction, SC = signal conditioning
A multi-channel measuring system with a
centralized processor and ADC & DAC
A multi-channel measuring system with
frequency multiplexing
Block diagram of a telemetry system
Instrumentation & Control System
Data processing system
 Course Contents
1. Introduction to M&I
2. Measurement systems architecture
3. Statistical Analysis of Errors
4. Direct Current Meters
5. Bridge-Type Instruments
6. Alternating Current Meters
7. Digital Interfaces in Measurement Systems
8. Signal Conditioning
9. Multifunction converters
 Course Contents
10. Charge Amplifiers
11. Phase-sensitive Rectifiers
12. Sources of Noise, Coherent interference and minimization
13. Grounding, Shielding, and Supply Considerations
14. Transducers and their Classification
15. Various Types of Transducers
16. Measurement of Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, Force,
Torque, Current, Voltage, Temperature, Flow, Pressure, Level
etc.
 CLOs

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

 DESCRIBE concept of a general measurement system.

 DESCRIBE the techniques of accurate measurements.
 IDENTIFY parts of a measurement system.
 DISTINGUISH principle, construction and operation of measurement devices
for the measurement of Electrical quantities and Mechanical quantities.

 APPLY electronic methods of signal conditioning, filtering, and acquisition.

 Course Details

• Grading Policy
o Sessional #1 & #2 (40)
o Quizzes/Assignments (10)
o Term Project (To be decided later)
o Terminals (50)
 Recommended Books

• Text Book
o R. B. Northrop, Introduction to Instrumentation and Measurement, CRC, 3rd
Edition, 2014.

• Reference Books
1. Alan S. Morris, Reza Langari “Measurement and Instrumentation; Theory and
Application,” Elsevier Inc., 2016.
2. L. Lal Kishore, “Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation,” Pearson
Education Ltd. , 2010.
 End of Lecture 03

• UpNext
o Lecture 04
 Process Control

• Process control is the automatic control of an output

variable:
1. by sensing the amplitude of the output parameter from the process
and

2. comparing it to the desired or set level and

3. feeding an error signal back to control an input variable
 Process Control
Simple Heat Exchanger
 Process Control
Simple Heat Exchanger
Block diagram of a process control loop
 Block diagram of elements that make up
the feedback path in a process-control loop
 Actuators

• Actuators are devices that are used to control an input variable in

response to a signal from a controller.
o Examples of actuators are
• A flow-control valve that can control the rate of flow of a fluid in
proportion to the amplitude of an electrical signal from the controller.
• Magnetic relays that turn electrical power on and off e.g.
• Actuators that control power to the fans and compressor in an air-
conditioning system in response to signals from the room temperature
sensors.
 Block diagram of a closed-loop flow
control system
• Following Figure shows the block diagram of a closed-loop flow control system.
• Identify the following elements:
o (a) the sensor,
o (b) the transducer,
o (c) the actuator,
o (d) the transmitter,
o (e) the controller,
o (f) the manipulated variable, and
o (g) the measured variable.
Block diagram of a closed-loop flow
control system
Automotive engine showing some of the
measured and controlled variables
 Instrument Types

• Instruments can be divided between

1. Active and Passive ones
• according to whether they have an energy source contained within
them
2. Null-type instruments & Deflection-type instruments
• Require adjustment until a datum level is reached and
• Give an output measurement in the form of either a deflection of
a pointer against a scale or a numerical display
 Instrument Types

3. Analog and Digital instruments

o Differ according to whether the output varies continuously
(analog instrument) or in discrete steps (digital instrument)

4. Indicators and Signal output instruments

o Instruments that are merely indicators and
o Instruments that have a signal output
 Instrument Types

5. Finally
o Smart and
o Non-smart instruments
 Instrument Types

• The type of instrument to be used depends upon the type of data

• The data are classified as follows:
o Steady-state data
• If the data vary in the range of 0–5 Hz
o Transient data
• If the parameter variation is at a much higher rate >5 Hz
o Dynamic data
• The parameter variation is periodic
Instrument Characteristics/ Attributes
1. Static characteristics of instruments
o These are their steady-state attributes
o When the output measurement value has settled to a constant
reading after any initial varying output e.g.
• Accuracy,
• Measurement sensitivity, and
• Resistance to errors caused by variations in their operating
environment.
Instrument Characteristics/ Attributes

2. Dynamic characteristics of instruments

o This describes their behavior following the time that the measured
quantity changes value up until the time when the output reading
attains a steady value
o Kinds of dynamic behavior
• An output that varies slowly until it reaches a final constant value
• An output that oscillates about the final value until a steady reading is
obtained.
o The dynamic characteristics are a very important factor in deciding the
suitability of an instrument for a particular measurement application
1. Active & Passive Instruments
1. Active & Passive Instruments
 1. Active & Passive Instruments

• In active instruments, the external power source is

o Usually in electrical form
o Pneumatic or
o Hydraulic one
• Level of measurement resolution

• In terms of cost, passive instruments are normally of a more simple

construction than active ones and are therefore cheaper
 2. Deflection-Type and Null-Type
Instruments

• The pressure gauge just mentioned is a good example of a

deflection type of instrument, where the value of the quantity
being measured is displayed in terms of the amount of
movement of a pointer.
 2. Deflection-Type and Null-Type
Instruments
• Consider an alternative type of pressure gauge
 2. Deflection-Type and Null-Type
Instruments
• The accuracy of these two instruments depends on different
things
o For the 1st type, it depends on the linearity and calibration of the
spring
o For the 2nd type, it relies on the calibration of the weights
o 2nd type of instrument will normally be the more accurate because
of ease in calibration

• In terms of usage, the 1st type is more convenient; workplace/labs

 3. Analog and Digital Instruments

• An analog instrument gives an output that varies continuously as

the quantity being measured changes

• The output can have an infinite number of values within the range
that the instrument is designed to measure

• Analog instruments must be interfaced to the microcomputer by an

ADC
3. Analog and Digital Instruments
4. Indicating Instruments and Instruments
with a Signal Output

• Indicators that merely give an audio or visual indication of the

magnitude of the physical quantity measured

• Instruments that give an output in the form of a measurement

signal whose magnitude is proportional to the measured
quantity
4. Indicating Instruments and Instruments
with a Signal Output
• Liquid-in-glass thermometer
• The bathroom scale
o One major drawback with indicating devices is that human
intervention is required to read and record a measurement

• Instruments that have a signal-type output are commonly used

as part of automatic control systems
 5. Smart and Non-smart Instruments

• Smart
o Microcomputers
• Non-smart Instruments
 End of Lecture 04

• UpNext
o Lecture 05