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11/3/22, 8:40 PM Instrumentation Basics: Measurement Terminology ~ Learning Instrumentation And Control Engineering

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Instrumentation is the science of automated measurement and control. Applications of this science abound in Instrumentation Books for Instrum
Engineers and Technicians
modern research, industry, and everyday living. From automobile engine control systems to home thermostats to
Flow Meter Selection Guide
aircraft autopilots to the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs, automation is everywhere around us. This piece
will focus on the fundamental principle of measurement terminology. How to Calibrate a Pressure Gauge
The objective of any measurement endeavour is to be able to measure a given process variable in order to Sizing Orifice Plates with Daniel Fl
possibly control it. Hence what you cannot measure, you cannot control. Calculator

Instruments are used to measure and control the condition of process streams as they pass through a Plant. Basics of Control Valve Positioners
Instruments are used to measure and control process variables such as: Temperature; Flow; Level; Pressure; How to Setup a HART Transmitter
Quality. Automatic instrument control systems are most commonly used to continually monitor these process Basics of Ultrasonic Flow Meters
conditions and correct them, without operator intervention, if there is a deviation from the process value AGA 3 Gas Flow Equation
required. The main reason for using automatic controls is that production is achieved more economically and
Learning Electrical Engineering
safely. In fact, some of our processes could not be controlled in a stable condition without automatic control
systems.

Although I have laid out the basic foundation for measurement and control  here, you might check out:
Measurement and Control Basics This book is very good for learning the basics of measurement and control.

Common Measurement Terminology:


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Measured Variable:

Is the physical quantity or condition, which is to be measured. Common measured

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11/3/22, 8:40 PM Instrumentation Basics: Measurement Terminology ~ Learning Instrumentation And Control Engineering
variables are: Temperature, pressure, rate of flow, level, speed, etc

Measured Signal:

Is the electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, or other variable applied to the input of a device. In a thermocouple,
the measured signal is an E.M.F, which is the electrical analogue of the temperature applied to the
thermocouple. A measured signal is normally produced by the primary element (sensing element) of an
instrument.

Input Signal:

Is a signal applied to a device element, or system. The pressure applied to the input connection of a pressure
transmitter is an input signal.

Output Signal:

Is a signal delivered by a device, element, or system. The signal (3 to 15 psig, 4 to 20 mA dc, etc) produced at
the output connections of a transmitter is an output signal.

Range
Is the region between the limits within which a quantity is measured, received or
transmitted, expressed by stating the lower and upper range-value.
-20 to + 2000C ; 20 to 1500C ; 4mA to 20mA

Span
Is the algebraic difference between the upper and lower range-values.
Range: -20 to 2000C, Span is 2200C; Range: 20 to 1500C, Span is 1300C.

Suppressed zero, is used when lower range-values is greater than zero


Range = 20 to 1500C

Elevated zero, is used when lower range-values is less than zero


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Range = -20 to 2000C
Control Valves
(
32
Rangeability or turndown
Flow meters
(
22
Ratio of the maximum adjustable span / the minimum adjustable span for a given Temperature senso
instrument, R = 100 bars / 10 bars = 10
Repeatability

(
22
)
Calibration
(
1
Instrumentation Diagrams
(

Ability of an instrument to give identical indications or responses for repeated


DP Transmitters
(
15
)
L
applications of the same value of the quantity measured under the same conditions of used. Good repeatability
Measurement
(
15
)
Or
does not guarantee accuracy.
Plates
(
12
)
Transmitters
(

Thermocouples
(
11
)
Pneum
Uncertainty Systems
(
10
)
Pressure Sw
Range of values within which the true value lies with a specified probability (
10
)
Process Control
(
9
)

Uncertainty of +/-1 % at 95 % confidence means the instrument will give the user a (
9
)
pressure sensors
(

range of +/-1 % for 95 readings out of 100. Electricals


(
7
)
Electrical Noise

HART Protocol
(
6
)
Pressure Ga
Sensitivity (
6
)
4 - 20mA Signals
(
5
)
Basi
Is the ratio of the change in transducer output to the corresponding change in the Instrumentation
(
4
)
Digital or A
measured value, i.e. sensitivity = (change of output signal) / (change of input signal). For example: A pressure- Multimeters
(
2
)
Fluke pressure calib
(
2
)
Instrumment Engineers
(

to-current converter could have a sensitivity of 0.1 mA / mbar.


Thermowells
(
2
)
Electric Motors

Instrument Engineers
(
1
)
Measur
terminology
(
1
)
Motor Nameplate
(
1
)

Accuracy
Accuracy is the conformity of an indicated value to an accepted
standard value, or
true value. It is usually measured in terms of inaccuracy and
expressed as accuracy.
It is a number or quantity, which defines the limit that errors
will not exceed, when the device is used under reference
operating conditions. The units to be used must be stated
explicitly. It is preferred that a + and - sign precede the number
or quantity.
The absence ofAds byinfers both signs (±).
a sign
Accuracy can be expressed in a number of forms:
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Accuracy expressed in terms of the measured variable
Accuracy = ± 1Degree F.
Accuracy expressed in percent of span.

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Accuracy = ± 1/2 %
Accuracy expressed in percent of the upper range-value
Accuracy = ±1/2 % of URV.
Accuracy expressed in percent of actual reading
Accuracy = ±1% of actual output reading
Accuracy for an instrument loop:
For an instrument loop including three
elements:
A sensor with an accuracy of 1 %
A transmitter with an accuracy of 0.5 %
An indicator with an accuracy of 1 %
Absolute accuracy: +or-1+ or -0.5+ or -1 = + or -2.5 %
Most likely accuracy (Root Mean Square) = SQRT[(±1)2 ±(0.5)2±(1)2] = 1.5 %

Absolute Error
Algebraic difference between the indication and the true value of a quantity to be
measured. Absolute Error = indication - true value. ΔX = X’ – X

Relative Error
Ratio between the absolute error and the true value of the quantity to be measured.
Expressed in percent: x = (ΔX/X) x 100

Hysteresis

Hysteresis is the difference in the output for given input when the input is increasing and output for same input
when input is decreasing. When input of any instrument is slowly varied from zero to full scale and then back to
zero, its output varies as shown in the diagram below
This is where the accuracy of the device is dependent on the previous value and the direction of variation.
Hysteresis causes a device to show an inaccuracy from the correct value, as it is affected by the previous
measurement.

Linearity
Linearity expresses the deviation of the actual reading from a
straight line. If all outputs are in the same proportion to
corresponding inputs over a span of values, then input output plot
is straight line else it will be non linear (see diagram below) For
continuous control applications, the problems arise due to the
changes in the rate the output differs from the instrument. The
gain of a non-linear device changes as the change in output over
input
varies. In a closed loop system changes in gain affect the loop
dynamics. In such an
application, the linearity needs to be assessed. If a problem does
exist, then the signal needs to be linearised.

Response
When the output of a device is expressed as a function of time
(due to an applied input) the time taken to respond can provide
critical information about the suitability of the device. A slow
responding device may not be suitable for an application. This
typically applies to continuous control applications where the
response of the device becomes a dynamic response
characteristic of the overall control loop. However in critical
alarming applications where devices are used for point
measurement, the response may be just as important. The
diagram below shows response of the system to a step input.
Ambient
The surrounding or environment in reference to a particular point or object.

Attenuation

A decrease in signal magnitude over a period of time.

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The procedure of comparing and determining the performance accuracy is called calibration. To configure a
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device so that the required output represents (to a defined degree of accuracy) the respective input.

Closed loop

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Relates to a control loop where the process variable is used to
calculate the controller output. In a closed loop system the
control action is independent on desired output.

Controller
A device, which operates automatically to regulate the control of
a process with a control variable.

Gain
This is the ratio of the change of the output to the change in the
applied input. Gain is a special case of sensitivity, where the units
for the input and output are identical and the gain
is unitless.

Hunting
Generally an undesirable oscillation at or near the required setpoint is called hunting.
Hunting typically occurs when the demands on the system performance are high and possibly exceed the system
capabilities. The output of the controller can be over controlled due to the resolution of accuracy limitations.

Ramp
Defines the delayed and accumulated response of the output for a sudden change in the input.

Reliability
The probability that a device will perform within its specifications for the number of operations or time period
specified.

Reproducibility
The similarity of one measurement to another over time, where the operating conditions have varied within the
time span, but the input is restored.

Resolution
The smallest interval that can be identified as a measurement varies.

Resonance
The frequency of oscillation is maintained due to the natural dynamics of the system.

Sensitivity
This defines how much the output changes, for a specified change in the input to the device.

Setpoint
Used in closed loop control, the setpoint is the ideal process variable. It is represented in the units of the
process variable and is used by the controller to determine the output to the process.

Span Adjustment
The difference between the maximum and minimum range values. When provided in an instrument, this changes
the slope of the input-output curve.

Steady state
Used in closed loop control where the process no longer oscillates or changes and settles at some defined value.

Time constant
The time constant of a first order system is defined as the time taken for the output to reach 63.2% of the total
change, when subjected to a step input change.

Transducer
An element or device that converts information from one form (usually physical, such as temperature or
pressure) and converts it to another ( (usually electrical, such as volts or millivolts or resistance change). A
transducer can be considered to comprise a sensor at the front end (at the process) and a transmitter.

Transient
A sudden change in a variable, which is neither a controlled response, nor long lasting.
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Transmitter
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A device that converts one form of energy to another. Usually from mechanical to electrical for the purpose of
signal integrity for transmission over longer distances and for suitability with control equipment.

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Variable
Generally, this is some quantity of the system or process. The two main types of variables that exist in the
system are the measured variable and the controlled variable. The measured variable is the measured quantity
and is also referred to as the process variable as it measures process information. The controlled variable is the
controller output which controls the process.

Vibration
This is the periodic motion (mechanical) or oscillation of an object.

Zero adjustment
The zero in an instrument is the output provided when no, or zero input is applied. The zero adjustment
produces a parallel shift in the input-output curve.

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