FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRIK

SUBJECT: INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT BEKC 1123

Tutorial 1

1. Explain the difference between systematic and random errors. What are the typical sources of
these two types of errors?

2. A circuit measurement for resistance of 550 Ω is satisfied by connecting together two resistors
of nominal values 220 Ω and 330 Ω in series. If each resistor has a tolerance of ± 2 %, calculate
the error in the circuit in both absolute and percent error.
[11Ω, 2%]

3. The current through a resistor is 1.5A but measurement yields a value of 1.46A. Compute the:
a) absolute error
b) percentage error
c) relative accuracy
d) percentage of accuracy for that result
[0.04A, 2.67%, 0.97, 97%]

4. Six students using one oscilloscope with the following measured the output voltage of an
amplifier.
1- 20.20V
2- 19.90V
3- 20.05V
4- 20.05V
5- 19.85V
6- 20.00V

Calculate the precision of the fourth measurement. Which of the above measurement is the
most precise?
[0.9979, 6th]

5. Two currents from different sources flow in opposite directions through a resistor, R1. I1 is
measured as 79mA on a 100mA analog instrument with an accuracy of ±3% of full scale. I2 is
determined as 31mA, is measured on a digital instrument with ±100μA accuracy. Calculate the
maximum and minimum levels of the current in R1.
[51.1mA, 44.9mA]

6. A resistance box has the following components and tolerances:

10 resistors each of 100kΩ ± 0.05%

10 resistors each of 10kΩ ± 0.05%
10 resistors each of 1kΩ ± 0.05%
10 resistors each of 100Ω ± 0.1%
10 resistors each of 10Ω ± 0.5%

Determine both in ohms and percentage the limit of uncertainty in setting of 453.72kΩ.
[227.3Ω, 0.05%]

7. Eight different students tuned a circuit for resonance and the following values for the resonant
frequency of the circuit were recorded. Compute the arithmetic mean, the average deviation,
standard deviation and probable error of one reading and probable error of mean.

TUTORIAL 1 TUTORIAL 1: INTRO TO INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENTS

GROUP: 1BEKC2/1BEKE2/1BEKP2 DATE: JULY 2010 PAGE: 1
 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRIK
SUBJECT: INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT BEKC 1123

Reading No. Resonant Frequency (kHz)

1 532
2 548
3 543
4 535
5 546
6 531
7 543
8 536

[539.25, 5.75, 6.54, ±4.41123, 1.6673]

R 2 R3
8. The unknown resistance is determined by Wheatstone bridge and is given by R X = where
R1
R1= 90  0.5% 
R2= 900  0.8% 
R3= 825  0.6% 

Determine the magnitude of the resistance and the limiting error in % and ohms for the
unknown resistance Rx.
[ Rx=8.25k, 1.9%, 156.75]

9. A 0 – 150V voltmeter has guaranteed accuracy of 1% full-scale reading. If the voltage measured
by this instrument is 83V, calculate the limiting error.
[1.81%]

10. A resistance in a circuit is 470Ω ± 10%. When a meter with a full-scale voltage of 25V and
error of ± 3% is used to measure the voltage across the resistance, the voltage was read as 12V.
Obtain the power across the resistance and determine its error.
[0.306W, ±22.5%]

11. State the type of error that occurs in the following situations and suggest one (1) method to
reduce the error:-
(i) A person using an ohmmeter reads the measured value as 470, when the actual
value is 47.
(ii) A voltmeter has a specification as below:-

Items Specification
Range 0 – 250 V
Accuracy  1% full-scale deflection
The voltmeter is to be used to measure voltage across resistor, R1. The expected
value of the voltage across resistor, R1 is 125V; however measurement yields a
value of 130V.

12. A voltmeter and an ammeter are to be used to determine the power dissipated in a resistor. Both
instruments are guaranteed to be accurate within 2% at full-scale deflection. If the voltmeter
reads 200V on its 300V range and the ammeter reads 80mA on its 100mA range. Determine the
power across the resistor and its limiting error.

TUTORIAL 1 TUTORIAL 1: INTRO TO INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENTS

GROUP: 1BEKC2/1BEKE2/1BEKP2 DATE: JULY 2010 PAGE: 2