Instrumentation & Control

ME441
University Of Management &
Technology Lahore
 • Types of Errors :

(1) Gross Error

(2) Systematic Error
(3) Instrument Error
(4) Environmental Error
(5) Observation Error
(6) Alignment Error
(7) Elastic Deformation
(8) Dirt Error
(9) Contact Error
(10) Parallax Error
(11) Random Error
 Gross Error :
• These errors occur due to human mistakes such
as careless reading, mistake in recording
observation, incorrect applications of a
correction, improper application of instruments.
• These errors can not be treated mathematically.
• They can be avoided only by taking care in
reading and recording the measurement data.
 Systematic Error :
• These error include calibration errors, error
due to variation in the atmospheric
condition, variation in contact pressure etc.
• If properly analysed, these errors can be
determined and reduced hence also called
controllable errors.
• These errors results from irregular
procedure that are consistent in action.
 Instrument Error :

• These errors are due to design and construction

of instruments that limits the accuracy of
measurements.
• Example : Improper selection of instruments,
poor maintenance, loading effects, etc.
• Can be avoided by : Selecting suitable
instruments, applying correction factors, etc.
 Environmental Error :
• An environmental error is an error in calculations that
are being a part of observations due to environment.
• Any experiment performing anywhere in the universe
has its surroundings, from which we cannot eliminate
our system.
• The environmental errors have different causes, which
are widening with the passage of time, as the research
works telling us, including; temperature, humidity,
magnetic field, constantly vibrating earth surface, wind
and improper lightening.
 Observation Error :
• When human factors involved in measurement,
the capabilities of individual observers effects the
accuracy of measurement.
• The observation errors occur due to poor
capabilities and carelessness of operators.
• Example : Wrong reading, wrong calculations,
wrong conversion, wrong recording data, etc.
• These errors eliminates by using modern
instrument having digital display.
 Dirt Error :
• Sometimes, dirt particles can enter in the
inspection room through the door and the
windows.
• These particles can create small dirt errors at
the time of measurement.
• These errors can be reduced by making dust
proof laboratories.
 Contact Error :
• The ring as shown in fig whose thickness is to
be measured.
• If the jaws of the instrument are placed as
shown in fig, the error developed, which is
because of poor contact only.
 Parallax Error :
• Parallax is a displacement or difference in
the apparent position of an object viewed
along two different lines of sight, and is
measured by the angle or semi-angle of
inclination between those two lines.
 Random Error :
• These errors are caused due to variation on
position of setting standard and work piece.
• Due to Displacement of level joints of instrument,
due to backlash and friction, these error are
induced.
• Random errors in experimental measurements
are caused by unknown and unpredictable
changes in the experiment. These changes may
occur in the measuring instruments or in the
environmental conditions.