Measurement

&
Control
Characteristics
of
Instrument

INSTRUMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS

Shows the performance of instruments to be used.

Divided into two categories: static and dynamic

characteristics.
A)Static characteristics refer to the comparison
between steady output and ideal output when
the input is constant.
B)Dynamic characteristics refer to the comparison
between instrument output and ideal
output when the input changes.

A)Static
Characteristics

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
3. RANGE OF SPAN

Range
The region between the limits within which an
instrument
is designed to operate for measuring,
indicating or recording a physical quantity is called the
range of the instrument.

The range is expressed by stating the lower

and upper values.
Range -100C to 100C

 Span
Span represents the algebraic differences
between the upper and lower range values of
the instrument.
An instrument which has a reading range of
100C to 100 C span is 200 C.

4.Linearity

Most instruments are specified to function over a

particular range and the instruments can be said to be
linear when incremental changes in the input and
output are constant over the specified range.

Maximum deviation from linear relation between input and

output.

The output of an instrument has to be linearly proportionate to

the measured quantity.

Normally shown in the form of full scale percentage (% fs).

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.

5.Sensitivity

This is the relationship between a change in the

output reading for a given change of the input.
(This relationship may be linear or non-linear.)
Sensitivity is often known as scale factor or
instrument magnification and an instrument with a
large sensitivity (scale factor) will indicate a large
movement of the indicator for a small input
change.

11

Sensitivity

Most sensitive

Variation of the physical variables

6. DEAD ZONE

Output
Reading

+
Measured
Variables
Dead Space

Defined as the range of input reading when there

is no change in output (unresponsive system).

7.Threshold

If the instrument input is very gradually increased

from zero there will be a minimum value required
to give a detectable output change. This minimum
value defines the threshold of the instrument.

Output

input
14

8.Hysteresis

This is the algebraic difference between the average errors at

corresponding points of measurement when approached from
opposite directions, i.e. increasing as opposed to decreasing
values of the input.

15

9.Drift

Zero drift is variation in the output of an

instrument which is not caused by any
change in the input; it is commonly caused by
internal temperature changes and component
instability.

16

Output

Output

sensitivity drift
zero
drift
input

Output

input
sensitivity drift

zero
drift
input

17

10.Reapatability

It is the ability of the measuring instrument to

give the same value every time the measurement of
given quantity is repeated, under the same conditions

11.RePRODUCIBILITY

B)Dynamic
Characteristics

1.Speed of response

It is defined as the rapidity with which an instrument

responds to a change in the value of the quantity
being measured.

2.Fidelity

Fidelity of an instrumentation system is defined

as the degree of closeness with which the system
indicates or records the signal which is impressed
upon it. It refers to the ability of the system to
reproduce the output in the same form as the input.

3.Overshoot.
Because of mass and inertia, a moving part, i.e.,
the pointer of the instrument does not immediately
come to rest in the final deflected position. The pointer
goes beyond the steady state i.e., it overshoots

4.Dyanamic Error

The difference between the indicated quantity and

the true value of the time varying quantity is the dynamic
error, here static error of the instrument is assumed to be
zero.

Measurement
&
Control
Error

Error

Error is the difference between the true value of

the size being measured and the value found by
measurement.

Measurement Error
1.Static Error

E =V m

1.Measured Value
2.True Value

Vt

2.Relative Error
Error =

Vt

Vm

Vt

X 100

Sources of Error

1.Defect in instrument.
2.Adjustment of an instrument.
3.Imperfection in design of instrument.
4.Method of location.
5.Environmental effects.
6.Error due to properties of object.
7. Error due to surface finish of object.
8.Observational error.

TYPES OF ERRORS

1.Gross errors.
2.Systematic errors.
3.Random errors.

Gross errors.

These are basically human errors

caused by the operator or person using the
instrument.
The instrument may be good and may not
give any error but still the measurement
may go wrong due to the operator. The
different types of gross errors are:

1. Observational errors.
2. Reading with parallax error.
3. Incorrect adjustments of zero and full-scale
adjustments.
4. Improper applications of instruments:
Using a 0100 V voltmeter
to measure 0.1 V, etc.
5.Operational error.

2.Systematic Errors

These are divided into two categories:

1)Instrumental errors: Due to shortcomings of the
instruments.
2)Environmental errors: Due to external conditions
affecting the instrument.

A] Instrumental errors.

Even if human errors are avoided or proper

care is taken to see that such errors do not
occur, errors can still occur in measurements
due to the instrument. The possible reasons
can be as follows:

1) Friction in bearings of various moving

components can cause incorrect readings.
2) Irregular spring tension in analog meters.
3) Zero setting not adjusted properly.
4) Full-scale setting not adjusted properly.
5) Faulty display circuit in digital instruments.

B] Environmental errors.

Ambient parameters such as temperature,

pressure, humidity, magnetic and electrostatic
fields, dust, and other such external parameters
can affect the performance of the instrument.
Improper housing of the instrument also
can give wrong readings.
Such errors can be avoided by air-conditioning,
magnetic shielding, cleaning the instruments,
and housing the instruments properly
depending on the application and type of the
instrument.