Measurement System Performance

The treatment of instrument and measurement system characteristics can be divided into two

distinct categories viz. :.

(i) Static characteristics,

(ii} Dynamic characteristics.

Some applications involve the measurement of quantities that are either constant or vary very
slowly with time. Under these circumstances it is possible to define a set of criteria that gives a
meaningful description of quality of measurement without/interfering with dynamic descriptions
that involve the use of differential equations. These criteria are called Static Characteristics.

Normally static characteristics of a measurement system are, in general, those that must be
considered when the system or instrument is used to a condition not varying with time.

However many measurements are concerned with rapidly varying quantities and, therefore, for such
cases we must examine the dynamic relations which exist between the output and the input. This is
normally done with the help of differential equations. Performance criteria based upon dynamic
relations constitute the Dynamic Characteristics.

The main static characteristics discussed here are :

(i) Accuracy

(ii) Sensitivity,

(iv) Drift

(v) Static error, and

(iii) Reproducibility

(vi) Dead Zone

The qualities (i), (ii) and (iii) are desirable; while qualities (/v), ( v) and (vi) are undesirable. In addition
to above characteristics, definitions of many other quantities have been given;
Static Error:

The most important characteristic of an instrument for measurement system is its accuracy, which is
the agreement of the instrument reading with the true value of quantity being measured. The
accuracy of an instrument is measured in terms of its error. We have mentioned earlier that it is
impossible to measure the true value of a quantity. An approximation of the "true value" obtained
by sufficiently extended series of measurements and also taking into account parameters and
conditions to which corrections may be applied, we obtain, what is called the best measured value
of the quantity. While it is never possible to measure the true or exact value of a quantity, it is nearly
always possible to give a best measured value. Static error is defined as the difference between the
measured value and the true value of the quantity.
Reproducibility and Drift

Reproducibility: It is the degree of closeness with which a given value may be repeatedly measured.
It may be specified in terms of units for a given period of time. Perfect reproducibility means that the
instrument has no drift. No drift means that with a given input the measured values do not vary with
time

Drift: It is an undesirable quality in industrial instruments because it is rarely apparent and cannot be
easily compensated for. Thus, it must be carefully guarded against by continuous prevention,
inspection and maintenance. For example, stray electrostatic and electromagnetic fields can be
prevented from affecting the measurements by proper shielding. Effect of mechanical vibrations can
be minimized by having proper mountings. Temperature changes during the measurement process
should be preferably avoided or otherwise be properly compensated for.