526870

research-article2014
MAC0010.1177/0020294014526870Tech Talk (1) Instrument Measurement BasicsTech Talk (1) Instrument Measurement Basics

Contributed Paper

Tech Talk
Measurement and Control
2014, Vol. 47(3) 79­–83
© The Institute of Measurement
and Control 2014
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DOI: 10.1177/0020294014526870

An Introduction
mac.sagepub.com

In conducting over many years the C&I engineers need a good working both the fundamentals of measurement
assessment of Control & Instrumentation knowledge of many subjects, including and control and its practical application.
(C&I) engineers applying for professional the wide range of field instruments and To this end, experienced engineers and
registration, it is apparent that significant control systems available in a fast manufacturing companies are cordially
gaps often existed in their fundamental changing marketplace, materials invited to share their knowledge for the
technical and application knowledge. selection, piping mechanics, fluid greater good by submitting for
Notwithstanding the normal variations in physics, industry specific measurement, publication, further papers that will be of
the ability of individuals, the academic protection and control techniques/best interest to practising C&I design
route chosen and the subsequent practice, functional safety, hazardous engineers and technicians. Publication
training offered by employers will play a area work, control systems architecture/ guidelines are available on request from:
major part in the development of a well- application, data communications, publications@instmc.org.uk
rounded engineer. installation design, engineering This first paper in the series
Professionals following the craft standards/codes of practice, inspection addresses the basics of measurement.
apprentice/Higher National Certificate and testing, contractual awareness and The co-authors are David W Otterson
(HNC) route through technician training much more. Large companies with CEng, FInstMC and John E Edwards
and who are able to obtain employment accredited graduate training programmes CEng, FIChemE, who have published
in an engineering design capacity will will usually make use of both in-house several papers and books on process
usually possess good practical C&I mentoring and external training, whereas simulation, instrumentation and
application skills. In contrast, their smaller organisations are often much control.
university graduate counterparts, more reliant on the haphazard self-
although better equipped mathematically, learning process. David W Otterson
may struggle in their formative years with Tech Talk is a series of papers CEng FInstMC
the broad spectrum of practical designed as a ‘pull out’ reference library. Institute of Measurement and Control
application knowledge required. The aim is to disseminate knowledge of Billingham, UK

Tech Talk: (1) Instrument

Measurement Basics

John E Edwards, P&I Design Ltd., Billingham, UK and

David W Otterson, Institute of Measurement & Control, Billingham, UK

I. The SI System of countries, this has not been universal.
Measurement Units The United Kingdom has officially
adopted a partial metrication policy, with
The SI system has been adopted by no intention of replacing imperial units
most countries in the developed world, entirely. The United States and Canada
though within English-speaking do not use metric units outside of
science, medicine and the government
and extensively use imperial units
throughout the engineering disciplines.
The core of the SI system is built on
seven base units defined in an absolute
way without reference to any other units.

April 2014  Vol 47 No 3  l  Measurement and Control  79