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Sc SEI Course Sensors and Sensing Processes Question Sheet 1 Potentiometric Sensors
Q1 a) It is intended to measure displacement using a potentiometric sensor of resistance RP, connected to a voltmeter having a purely resistive input impedance RL. If RL=RP where is a constant, show that

VV x = VS + x( 1 x)
where VV is the voltmeter reading, VS is the potentiometer excitation voltage and x is the normalised displacement. Assuming that the ideal situation is introduced by the measuring system is

VV VS = x ,
x( 1 x) + x( 1 x)

show that the relative error, ,

and that the maximum relative error occurs for x=0.5 and takes the value

MAX =

1 (4 + 1)

b) For the potentiometric sensor whose specification is outlined below calculate: i) ii) iii) The maximum relative and absolute errors assuming a load resistance of 10k. The value of the load resister necessary to ensure that the inherent nonlinearity of the device introduces a greater error than that caused by loading effects. The maximum theoretical sensitivity of the device at 40C and 100C.

Technical Specification RS Potentiometric Sensor Total Resistance Linearity Output smoothness Max Power dissipation Temp Coefficient 2.5k (20%) 0.5% 0.2% 4W@40C, 1W@125C 125ppm/C

Q2 a) For the circuit shown below

RC=RP/ VI RP xRP RL=RP/ VO

show that

VO x( 1+ ( 1 x )) = VI 1 + x( 1 x ) + x( 1 x)
b) Calculate the value of RL and RC such that a displacement of 15% around the position corresponding to of the full-scale range of the sensor, produces an output change of only 10% with respect to the full-scale output (Note full scale output VO=VI, x = 1)