MEASUREMENTS BASIC

PRINCIPLES AND TERMINOLOGIES

 Subtopic 2
Different applications of various measuring,
testing instruments and Calibration of instruments
 Subtopic 2
Intended Learning Outcome

At the end of this discussion the student are expected to:

➢ Discuss the importance of measurement system

➢ List the application of measurement specially in instrumentation
➢ Explain the importance of calibrating instruments
Study of any subject matter in engineering should be motivated
by an appreciation of the uses to which the material might be put
in the everyday practice of the profession. Measurement systems
are used for many detailed purposes in a wide variety of
application areas. Methods, procedures and measuring
techniques developed by physicists have become powerful tools
for use in a great many interdisciplinary research areas, studies
of the environment being just one of the many such important
examples of where progress can be noted.
Every application of measurement can be put in three categories
or combination of these three:

• Monitoring of Processes and Operation

• Control of Processes and Operation
• Experimental engineering analysis
Here the measuring device is being used to keep
track of some quantity. Certain applications of
measuring instruments may be characterized as
having essentially a monitoring function.
Examples: thermometers, barometers,
speedometer and compass
This is one of the most important classes of measurement
application. In this type of application sensors are used in
feedback control system and many measurement systems
themselves use the principle of feedback for their operation.
Therefore an instrument can serve as a component of a
control system. Remember that to control any variable in a
feedback control system it is necessary to measure it. Every
feedback control system will have at least one measuring
device as a vital component.
A single control system may require information(s) from
multiple measuring instruments. Example this are
industrial machine and process controllers, aircraft
control system and automotive control systems.

Controller
Plant
Effector
Controlled
Variable
sensor
Control
Director
In solving engineering problems, two general methods are
available these are theoretical and experimental.

Theoretical Methods – These analysis often gives results that

are of general use rather than for restricted application. The
theoretical analysis predicted behavior is somewhat different from
the real behavior as a simplified physical/mathematical model is
studied rather than the actual physical system. Theoretical
analysis also considers ideal solution wherein the effect of
environment is not considered.
Experimental Methods – Often this analysis gives result
that apply only to the specific system being tested.
However, techniques such as dimensional analysis may
allow some generalization. This analysis does not do not
allow simplifying assumptions necessary if test are run
on an actual system. In this analysis the true behavior of
the system is revealed.
 Primary Variable Variable
Measured Sensing conversion manipulation
Medium Element element element

Data
Transmission
Element
Data
storage/
Data
playback
Presentation
element
Element

observer
Calibration is a comparison between a known measurement (the standard)
and the measurement using your instrument. Typically, the accuracy of the
standard should be ten times the accuracy of the measuring device being
tested. However, accuracy ratio of 3:1 is acceptable by most standards
organizations. Calibration of your measuring instruments has two objectives.
It checks the accuracy of the instrument and it determines the traceability of
the measurement. In practice, calibration also includes repair of the device if
it is out of calibration. A report is provided by the calibration expert, which
shows the error in measurements with the measuring device before and
after the calibration.
Due to different factors that affects the original condition
of our measuring instrument some functions were also
affected. These measuring instruments follows a
theoretical principle wherein the value from actual
measurement must be accurate to the theoretical
computation. To better understand how these factors
affects the let us watch the video about calibration of
instruments.
WIKA Group. (2019, January 15). Calibrating measuring instruments | The difference between
calibration, verification and adjustment [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUQyMTUAMos&t=52s.
The accuracy of all measuring devices degrade over time. This is
typically caused by normal wear and tear. However, changes in
accuracy can also be caused by electric or mechanical shock or a
hazardous manufacturing environment (e.x., oils, metal chips
etc.). Depending on the type of the instrument and the
environment in which it is being used, it may degrade very quickly
or over a long period of time. The bottom line is that, calibration
improves the accuracy of the measuring device. Accurate
measuring devices improve product quality.
A measuring device should be calibrated:
• According to recommendation of the manufacturer.
• After any mechanical or electrical shock.
• Periodically (annually, quarterly, monthly)

Hidden costs and risks associated with the un-calibrated measuring device could be
much higher than the cost of calibration. Therefore, it is recommended that the
measuring instruments are calibrated regularly by a reputable company to ensure
that errors associated with the measurements are in the acceptable range.
• Larry Jones and Foster Chin (2010), Electronic Instruments and Measurements.

• Tony R. Kuphaldt (2019) , Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation

• Measurement System, Application and Design 5th Edition, Earnest Doebelin, McGraw
Hill 2004.
Feel free to ask questions!