DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

WACHEMO UNIVERSITY

Instrumentation and Measurement (Meng4211)

chapter 1 – Basic concept of measurement and Instrumentation

By: Mebratu B.
 Why we want to measure?
• Need for measurement( why we want to measure or why measurement critically important?).
Recognize there are three reasons for making measurement.
 Engineering design physical system in the form of machines to serve some specified functions.

The behavior of the parts of the machine during the operation of the machine needs to be examined
or analyzed or designed such that it functions reliably. Such an activity needs data regarding the
machine parts in terms of material properties.

 Science proposes hypotheses or theories based on observations and these need to be validated
with carefully performed experiments that use many measurements. When once a theory has been
established it may be used to make predictions which may themselves be confirmed by further
experiments.
 For commerce
Measurement is the act or the result of quantitative comparison between predetermined standards and an
unknown magnitude. The procedure and apparatus employed for obtaining the comparison( calibration of
the instrument is basically important).

The determination of the amount is what measurement all about. If the amount exist are related to the
practice of mechanical engineering, then the determination of their amount constitutes the subject of
mechanical measurements.
Measurements provide us with a means of describing various phenomena in quantitative terms.

The result of the measurement is expressed by a pointer deflection over a predefined scale or a number
representing the ratio between the unknown quantity and the standard.
The value of the unknown quantity can be measured by direct (I using ammeter, V using voltmeter, R
using ohm meter and so on) or indirect methods(R using ammeter and voltmeter). In direct measurement
methods, the unknown quantity is measured directly instead of comparing it with a standard.
Methods of Measurements
 In deflection methods, the value of the unknown quantity is measured by the help of a measuring
instrument having a calibrated scale indicating the quantity under measurement directly, such as
measurement of current by an ammeter.
In comparison methods, the value of the unknown quantity is determined by direct comparison
with a standard of the given quantity, such as measurement of emf by comparison with the emf of a
standard cell.
In null methods of measurement, the action of the unknown quantity upon the instrument is
reduced to zero by the counter action of a known quantity of the same kind, such as measurement of
weight by a balance, measurement of resistance, capacitance and etc.
Differential methods of measurement, is method of measurement according to which the
difference between a known physical quantity and a physical quantity that is being measured is
established. If the difference between the quantity being measured and the known quantity is small,
the measurement error will depends mainly on the accuracy to which the known quantity has been
determined. For example, determination of diameter with master cylinder on comparator.
A system of measurement is a collection of units of measurement and rules relating them to each
other. A measurement systems analysis considers the following:
-Selecting the correct measurement and approach
- Assessing the measuring device
-Assessing procedures and operators
-Assessing any measurement interactions
-Calculating the measurement uncertainty of individual measurement devices and/or measurement system

Figure1) The components of measurement system

• The purpose of the measurement system is to link the observer to the process as shown in the fig.
above.
• Observer is presented with a number which is the current value of the information variable.
• In ideal measurement system the measured value is equal to the true value.
 Elements of a measurement system
• A measuring system exists to provide information about the physical value of some variable being
measured. In simple cases, the system can consist of only a single unit that gives an output reading
or signal according to the magnitude of the unknown variable applied to it.
• However, in more complex measurement situations, a measuring system consists of several
separate elements as shown in Figure below.
• The measurement system consists of the following four basic elements.

Figure 2) Basic elements of measurement system

Sensing element: is in contact with the process and gives an output which depends in some way on
the variable to be measured.
Signal conditioning element: takes the output of the sensing element and converts it into a form more suitable
for further processing.
For instance, the displacement-measuring strain gauge has an output in the form of a varying resistance. The
resistance change cannot be easily measured and so it is converted to a change in voltage by a bridge circuit,
which is a typical example of a variable conversion element.
Signal processing element: takes the output of the conditioning element and converts it into a form more
suitable for presentation. Like , computer (calculates the measured value of the variable from the incoming
digital data).
Data presentation element: presents the measured value in a form which can be easily recognized by the
observer. Like simple pointer-scale indicator, chart recorder, visual display unit.
Factors affecting a measurement process are:
• Equipment: measuring instrument, calibration.
• People: operators, training, education, skill, care and etc.
• Process: test method, specification.
• Samples: materials or items to be tested.
• Environment: temperature, humidity and etc.
• Management: training programs, methodology system, support of people, support of quality management
system.
Instrumentation is the use of measuring instruments to monitor and control a process. It is the art and
science of measurement and control of process variables within a production, laboratory, or manufacturing
area.
Instrumentation is an applied science that deals with analysis and design of systems for measurement
purposes such as;
 Quantify or expressing a variable numerically,
 Determine the value (magnitude) of some particular phenomena,
 Indicate record, register, signal, or perform some operation on the value it has determined.
Instrumentation engineering is the engineering specialization focused on the principle and operation of measuring
instruments that are used in design and configuration of automated systems in electrical, pneumatic domains etc.
Instrumentation engineers are commonly responsible for integrating the sensors with the recorders, transmitters,
displays or control systems. They may design or specify installation, wiring and signal conditioning. They may be
responsible for calibration, testing and maintenance of the system
Instrumentation is used to measure many parameters (physical values) like,
-Pressure -Current
- Flow -Other mechanical properties
-Temperature -Frequency
-Levels of liquids -Viscosity
-Density
 Standards of Measurement
• Measurement, the process of quantifying a variable, is made by comparing the unknown quantity with a
predefined standard. Standard is a physical representation of a unit of measurement.
• Measurements most commonly use the International System of Units (SI) as a comparison framework.
Broadly in science and technology, units are classified as fundamental units and derived units. The SI system
of units has seven units called as fundamental units.
 Measurement categories
Broadly measurements may be categorized as given below.
1)Primary quantity: It is possible that a single quantity that is directly measurable is of interest. An
example is the measurement of the diameter of a cylindrical specimen. It is directly measured using an
instrument such as Vernier calipers.

2) Derived quantity: There are occasions when a quantity of interest is not directly measurable by a
single measurement process. The quantity of interest needs to be estimated by using an appropriate
relation involving several measured primary quantities. The measured quantity is thus a derived
quantity.
An example of a derived quantity is the determination of acceleration due to gravity (g) by finding the
period (T) of a simple pendulum of length (L). T and L are the measured primary quantities while g is
the derived quantity.

3) Probe or intrusive method: It is common to place a probe inside a system to measure a physical
quantity that is characteristic of the system. For example, hot wire turbulence measurements.
4) Non intrusive method: When the measurement process does not involve insertion of a probe into
the system the method is referred to as being nonintrusive.
Methods that use some naturally occurring process, like radiation emitted by a body to measure a
desired quantity relating to the system, may be considered as non-intrusive.
A typical example for such a process is the use of Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) to measure the
velocity of a flowing fluid.