Module 6

Principles of Measurement and Analysis

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 Measurement
• The measurement of a given parameter or quantity is the act or result
of a quantitative comparison between a predefined standard and an
unknown quantity to be measured
• Since two quantities are compared, the result is expressed in
numerical values

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 Basic requirements of measurement
• The standard used for comparison purposes must be accurately
defined & should be commonly accepted

• The apparatus used & the method adopted must be provable.

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 Measuring and electronic instrument
• The measuring instrument may be defined as a device for
determining the value or magnitude of a quantity or variable

• An electronic instrument is one which is based on electronic or

electric principles for its measurement function
• The measurement of any electronic or electrical quantity or variable
is termed as an electronic measurement

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Advantages of electronic measurement

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 Measurand
• The physical, chemical, electrical quantity, process, property, variable
or a condition to be measured is referred as Measurand

• The various physical measurands are pressure, height, force, strain,

velocity etc..

• The important electrical measurands are voltage, current, power and

frequency

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 Functional Elements of an Instrumentation System

PRIMARY VARIABLE VARIABLE DATA DATA

QUANTITY SENSING CONVER MANIPULATI- TRANSMISSI PRESENTA
TO BE ELEMENT -SION ON ELEMENT O-N ELEMENT TION
MEASURED ELEMENT ELEMENT

DATA CONDITIONING ELEMENT

TERMINATING
DETECTOR INTERMEDIATE STAGE STAGE
TRANSDUCER STAGE

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 Functional elements of an instrument/measurement system

Primary sensing element

• The quantity under measurement makes its first contact with the
primary sensing element of a measurement system. i.e., the
measurand- (the unknown quantity which is to be measured) is first
detected by primary sensor which gives the output in a different
analogous form
• This output is then converted into an e electrical signal by a
transducer - (which converts energy from one form to another). The
first stage of a measurement system is known as a detector
transducer stage

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 Functional elements of an instrument/measurement system

Primary sensing element

• The quantity under measurement makes its first contact with the
primary sensing element of a measurement system. i.e., the
measurand- (the unknown quantity which is to be measured) is first
detected by primary sensor which gives the output in a different
analogous form
• This output is then converted into an e electrical signal by a
transducer - (which converts energy from one form to another). The
first stage of a measurement system is known as a detector
transducer stage

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 Functional elements of an instrument/measurement system

Variable conversion element

• The output of the primary sensing element may be electrical signal of
any form; it may be voltage, a frequency or some other electrical
parameter

• For the instrument to perform the desired function, it may be

necessary to convert this output to some other suitable form

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 Functional elements of an instrument/measurement system

Variable manipulation element

• The function of this element is to manipulate the signal presented to it
preserving the original nature of the signal
• It is not necessary that a variable manipulation element should follow
the variable conversion element
• Some non -linear processes like modulation, detection, sampling ,
filtering, chopping etc., are performed on the signal to bring it to the
desired form to be accepted by the next stage of measurement system
This process of conversion is called signal conditioning
• The term signal conditioning includes many other functions in addition
to Variable conversion & Variable manipulation
• In fact the element that follows the primary sensing element in any
instrument or measurement system is- 6 called conditioning element 11
Module
 Functional elements of an instrument/measurement system

Data transmission element

• When the elements of an instrument are actually physically separated, it becomes
necessary to transmit data from one to another. The element that performs this function
is called data transmission element
Data presentation element
• The information about the quantity under measurement has to be conveyed to the
person handling the instrument or the system for monitoring, control, or analysis
purposes. This function is done by data presentation element
• In case data is to be monitored, visual display devices are needed and these devices
may be analog or digital indicating instruments like ammeters, voltmeters etc.
• In case data is to be recorded, recorders like magnetic tapes, high speed camera & TV
equipment, CRT, printers may be used
• For control & analysis purpose, the microprocessor or computers may be used
• The final stage in a measurement system is known as terminating stage
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Block diagram of pressure gauge and thermometer

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 Performance characteristics

The performance characteristics of an instrument are mainly divided

into two categories:

Static characteristics
Dynamic characteristics

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 Static characteristics
• The set of criteria defined for the instruments, which are used to measure the quantities
which are slowly varying with time or mostly constant, i.e., do not vary with time, is called
static characteristics
• The various static characteristics are:
Accuracy
Precision
Sensitivity
Linearity
Reproducibility
Repeatability
Resolution
Threshold
Drift
Stability
Tolerance
Range or span Module - 6 15
 Accuracy
• It is the degree of closeness with which the reading approaches the
true value of the quantity to be measured. The accuracy can be
expressed in following ways:
Point accuracy:
• Such an accuracy is specified at only one particular point of scale. It
does not give any information about the accuracy at any other point
on the scale
Accuracy as percentage of scale span
• When an instrument as uniform scale, its accuracy may be
expressed in terms of scale range
Accuracy as percentage of true value
• The best way to conceive the idea of accuracy is to specify it in terms
of the true value of the quantity being
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 Precision
• It is the measure of reproducibility i.e., given a fixed value of a quantity
• Precision is a measure of the degree of agreement within a group of
measurements. The precision is composed of two characteristics:
Conformity
• Consider a resistor having true value as 2385692 Ω , which is being
measured by an ohmmeter. But the reader can read consistently, a
value as 2.4 M due to the non-availability of proper scale. The error
created due to the limitation of the scale reading is a precision error.
Number of significant figures
• The precision of the measurement is obtained from the number of
significant figures, in which the reading is expressed. The significant
figures convey the actual information about the magnitude & the
measurement precision of the quantity.
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Precision

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 Accuracy vs. Precision

Low precision High precision High precision

Low accuracy Low accuracy High accuracy

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 Sensitivity
• The sensitivity denotes the smallest change in the measured variable
to which the instrument responds
• It is defined as the ratio of the changes in the output of an instrument
to a change in the value of the quantity to be measured
• Mathematically it is expressed as,

Variation of the physical variables

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 Sensitivity
• If the calibration curve is linear, as shown in Fig.(a), the sensitivity of
the instrument is the slope of the calibration curve
• If the calibration curve is not linear as shown Fig.(b), then the
sensitivity varies with the input

• Inverse sensitivity or deflection factor is defined as the reciprocal of

sensitivity

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Sensitivity to Disturbance …
Hysteresis
• This is an effect of producing different readings
when the measured quantity is approached
from above or below
• Instrument will not have the same output for the
same input in repeated trials
• It may be the result of mechanical friction, or
thermal effects

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 LINEARITY
• Maximum deviation from linear relation between input and output.
• The output of an instrument has to be linearly proportionate to the measured
quantity.
• Normally shown in the form of full scale(fs) percentage (% fs).
• The graph shows the output reading of an instrument when a few input readings are
entered.
• Linearity = maximum deviation from the reading of x and the straight line.

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 LINEARITY

Output
Readings

Measured Quantity

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 Reproducibility
Reproducibility
• It is the degree of closeness with which a given value may be
repeatedly measured. It is specified in terms of scale readings over a
given period of time
• At the same place
• By the same person
• By the same Method
• On the same equipment
• Over short period of time.

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 Repeatability
Repeatability
• It is the closeness of measured values between measurements of the
same thing carried out in different conditions.
• At the different place
• By the  different person
• By the different method
• On the different equipment
• At the  different time

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 Drift
• The drift is the gradual shift of the instrument indication, over an
extended period during which the value of the input variable does not
change
• Drift may be classified into three categories:
Zero drift
• If the whole calibration gradually shifts due to slippage, permanent set,
or due to undue warming up of electronic tube circuits, zero drift sets in
Span drift or sensitivity drift
• If there is a proportional change in the indication all along the upward
scale, the drifts is called span drift or sensitivity drift
Zonal drift
• In case the drift occurs only a portion of span of an instrument, it is
called zonal drift Module - 6 27
 DEAD SPACE / DEAD BAND

Output
Reading

- +

Measured
Variables

Dead Space

• Defined as the range of input reading when there is no change in output

(unresponsive system).

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 Resolution & Threshold
Resolution
• The smallest change in input reading that can be traced
accurately. This increment is called resolution

Threshold
• If the instrument input is increased very gradually from zero there will
be some minimum value below which no output change can be
detected. This minimum value defines the threshold of the instrument
• The minimum limit of the input reading is ‘threshold’.

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 Stability, Tolerance & Range of span
Stability
• It is the ability of an instrument to retain its performance throughout is
specified operating life

Tolerance
• The maximum allowable error in the measurement is specified in terms
of some value which is called tolerance
Range or span
• The minimum & maximum values of a quantity for which an instrument
is designed to measure is called its range or span
• The range of an instrument –100°C to 100 °C and span of is 200 °C.

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 Dynamic characteristics
• The set of criteria defined for the instruments, which are changes
rapidly with time is called dynamic characteristics
• Explains the behaviour system of instruments system when the input
signal is changed.
• Standard signals of Instrumentation system
Dynamic behavior of measurement systems can be studied with the help
of certain standard signals, such as ‘step input’, ‘ramp input’ and ‘sine-
wave input’.

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 Dynamic characteristics

• Step Input
• Sudden change in input signal from steady state.
• The output signal for this kind of input is known as ‘transient response’.

Input

Time

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 Dynamic characteristics

• Ramp Input
• The signal changes linearly.
• The output signal for ramp input is ‘ramp response’.

Input

Time

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 Dynamic characteristics

• Sine-wave Input
• The signal is harmonic.
• The output signal is ‘frequency response’.

Input

Time

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 Dynamic characteristics
• The various dynamic characteristics are:
Speed of response
Measuring lag
Fidelity
Dynamic error

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 Speed of response & Measuring lag
Speed of response
• It is defined as the rapidity with which a measurement system responds
to changes in the measured quantity
Measuring lag
• It is the retardation or delay in the response of a measurement system
to changes in the measured quantity
The measuring lags are of two types:
Retardation type
In this case the response of the measurement system begins immediately after
the change in measured quantity has occurred
Time delay lag
In this case the response of the measurement system begins after a dead time
after the application of the input
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 Terminologies used in dynamic characteristics
1. Response time: Time elapsed between an input is applied and the time in which the system
gives an output corresponding to some specified percentage, e.g. 95%, of its final value

i. Rise time: Time taken for the output to rise to some

specified percentage of the steady-state output. Often
the rise time refers to the time taken for the output to
rise from 10% of the steady-state value to 90 of the
steady-state value.
ii. Settling time: This is the time taken for the output to
settle to within some percentage, e.g. 2%, of the
steady-state value

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 Terminologies ..Contd..
2. Measuring Lag:-An instrument does not immediately react a change in output
Measuring Lag is defined as the delay in the response of an instrument to a
change in a Measuring quantity.
Two types of Measuring Lag
1. Retardation type:-In this case the response of the instrument begins immediately after a
change in the measured has occurred.
2. Time Delay type:-In this case the response of the system begins after a “Dead Time” that
means after the application of the input.
3. Fidelity of a measurement system is defined as the ability of the system to
reproduce the output in the same variation of the input.
In Fidelity measurement system , there is no time lag or Phase shift between
the input and output

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 Dynamic error
Dynamic error
• It is the difference between the true value of the quantity changing with
time & the value indicated by the measurement system if no static error
is assumed. It is also called measurement error

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 Sources of Errors
• In the process of measurement, errors are bound to occur. If the
sources of errors are known, then the efforts can be made to reduce
the errors and partly to eliminate them. The various sources of errors:

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 Errors in measurement
• The static error is defined as the difference between the true value of
the variable and the value indicated by the instrument
• The static errors may arise due to number of reasons
Classification

Gross Systematic Or Random Or Residual Or

Error Cumulative Accidental Error
Error

Instrumental Environmental Observational

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 Gross Errors
• The gross errors mainly occur due to carelessness or lack of
experience of a human begin
• These errors also occur due to incorrect adjustments of instruments
• These errors cannot be treated mathematically
• These errors are also called personal errors
• The complete elimination of gross errors is not possible but one can
minimize them by the following ways:
• Taking great care while taking the reading, recording the reading & calculating
the result
• Without depending on only one reading, at least three or more readings must be
taken and preferably by different persons.
• Due to oversight instead of 21.5oC, they may read as 31.5oC
• They may transpose the reading while recording (like reading 25.8 and record as 28.5)
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 Systematic errors
• A constant uniform deviation of the operation of an instrument is known
as a Systematic error
• The Systematic errors are mainly due to the short comings of the
instrument & the characteristics of the material used in the instrument,
such as defective or worn parts, ageing effects, environmental effects,
etc.
• Types of Systematic errors:
Instrumental errors
Environmental errors
Observational errors

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 Instrumental errors
• These errors can be mainly due to the following three reasons:
Short comings of instruments
• These are because of the mechanical structure of the instruments.
• For example friction in the bearings of various moving parts, irregular spring
tensions, reductions in due to improper handling , hysteresis, gear backlash,
stretching of spring, variations in air gap, etc .,
Ways to minimize this error:
• Selecting a proper instrument and planning the proper procedure for
the measurement
• Recognizing the effect of such errors and applying the proper correction
factors
• Calibrating the instrument carefully against a standard
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 Instrumental errors
Misuse of instruments
• A good instrument if used in abnormal way gives misleading results.
• Poor initial adjustment, Improper zero setting, using leads of high resistance etc.,
are the examples of misusing a good instrument
• Such things do not cause the permanent damage to the instruments but definitely
cause the serious errors
Loading effects
• Loading effect due to improper way of using the instrument cause the serious
errors
• The best example of such loading effect error is connecting a well calibrated
voltmeter across the two points of high resistance circuit. The same volt meter
connected in a low resistance circuit gives accurate reading.
• Thus the errors due to the loading effect can be avoided by using an instrument
intelligently and correctly
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 Environmental errors
• These errors are due to the conditions external to the measuring instrument.
• The various factors resulting these environmental errors are temperature
changes, pressure changes, thermal e.m.f, ageing of equipment and
frequency sensitivity of an instrument
Ways to minimize this error
• Using the proper correction factors and using the information supplied by the
manufacturer of the instrument
• Using the arrangement which will keep the surrounding conditions constant.
• Reducing the effect of dust, humidity on the components by proper sealing
the components in the instruments.
• The effects of external fields can be minimized by using the magnetic or
electrostatic shields or screens
• Using the equipment which is immune to such environmental effects.
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 Observational errors
• These are the errors introduced by the observer
• There are many sources of observational errors such as parallax error
while reading a meter, wrong scale selection, etc.

Ways to minimize this error

• To eliminate such errors, one should use the instruments with mirrors,
knife edged pointers, etc.,
• The systematic errors can be subdivided as static and dynamic error

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 Random errors
• Some errors still result, though the systematic and instrumental errors
are reduced or at-least accounted.
• The causes of such errors are unknown and hence the errors are called
random errors
Ways to minimize this error
• Step1 − Take more number of readings by different observers.
• Step2 − Do statistical analysis on the readings obtained in Step1.
statistical analysis.
• Mean
• Median
• Variance
• Deviation
• Standard Deviation Module - 6 48
 Random errors
Random error = reading - average of readings
Systematic error = average of readings - true value

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