Signals and noise in measurement systems

Exercise 1

A thermocouple giving a 10 mV d.c. output voltage is connected to a high impedance digital voltmeter some distance away. A
difference in potential exists between earth at the thermocouple and earth at the voltmeter. Using the equivalent circuit given in
Figure 3.

a) Calculate the r.m.s. values of the series mode and common mode interference voltages at the voltmeter input.
b) If the digital voltmeter has a common mode rejection ratio (CMMR) of 100 dB, find the minimum and maximum
possible measured voltages.
c) The designer chose a digital voltmeter with a common mode rejection ratio (CMMR) of 80 dB instead of a voltmeter
with a CMMR of 60 dB. Explain why.
Exercise 2

The measurement system of ex2 of 'Loading Effects' (tachogenerator connected to recorder) is accidentally placed between a
power cable (220V, 60Hz) and its earth plane, which leads to electrostatic coupling.

a) Give the circuit for the situation described above.

b) Derive the equation for the series mode and common mode interference voltages, ignoring Eth.
c) Name and discuss a method to reduce the effects of electrostatic coupling.

Exercise 3

a) Name the 5 statistical quantities to estimate the behaviour of random signals and state which of those quantities can be used
to specify the amplitude behaviour and which one(s) for frequency/time behaviour.
b) Name 2 internal noise sources and 3 external noise sources.
c) Discuss the following methods of reducing effects of noise and interference and indicate in which cases those methods are
used: electromagnetic shielding, electrostatic screening and shielding, filtering, modulation, averaging.
d) In measurement systems unwanted electrical signals may also be present due to internal and external sources or caused by
coupling to sources outside.
Name and discuss three noise sources and three coupling mechanisms.
e) Name and discuss the method(s) to reduce the effect of noise and interference, generated by noise sources and coupling
mechanisms, named and discussed under 3d.
 Reliability, choice and economics of measurement systems

Exercise 1

A flow measurement system consists of an orifice plate (λ = 0.75), differential pressure transmitter (λ = 1.0), square root extractor
(λ = 0.1) and recorder (λ = 0.1).

a) Calculate the probability of losing the flow measurement after 0.5 year for the following:
i. A single flow measurement system
ii. Three identical flow measurement systems in parallel
iii. A system with three orifice plates, three differential pressure transmitters and a middle value selector
relay (λ = 0.1). The selected transmitter output is passed to a single square root extractor and recorder.
b) A client asks you for your advice regarding purchasing the best system. Which of the three systems would you
recommend to the client (regardless the costs)? Explain

Exercise 2

A temperature measurement system consists of a thermocouple (λ = 1.0), a current converter (λ = 0.1) and a recorder (λ = 0.1).

a) Calculate the probability of losing the flow measurement after 0.5 year for the following:
- A single flow measurement system
- Three identical flow measurement systems in parallel
- A system with three orifice plates, three differential pressure transmitters and a middle value selector
relay (λ = 0.1). The selected transmitter output is passed to a single square root extractor and recorder.
b) Indicate which system will most likely be chosen (regardless the costs) and explain why.

Exercise 3

a) Choose arbitrarily one resistive sensing element and discuss in details its principles, characteristics and applications.
b) Choose arbitrarily one capacitive sensing element and discuss in details its principles, characteristics and applications.
c) Choose arbitrarily one inductive sensing element and discuss in details its principles, characteristics ad applications.
Exercise 4

a) Use the data given in Table Prob. 3 to decide which level measurement system should be purchased. Assume a breakdown
maintenance only strategy is practised, each system has the same measurement error, and there is a 10-year total lifetime.
b) Which measurement system should be purchased?

Parameter System 1 System 2

Initial cost £ 1000 2000
Materials cost per repair £ 20 15
Labour cost per hour £ 10 10
Process cost per hour £ 100 100
Repair time h 8 12
Annual failure rate yr−1 2.0 1.0