Scribd
Upload
59 views

Chapter 1: Measurement Systems

This document discusses measurement systems and their key performance terms. It defines a measurement system as having an input of the variable being measured, and an output of the measured value. The main elements of a measurement system are identified as the sensor, signal processor, and data presentation. Common performance terms for measurement systems are then defined, including resolution, accuracy, error, range, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, sensitivity, and stability. Specific error types like hysteresis error and nonlinearity error are also explained.

Uploaded by

Yousef Sardahi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
59 views

Chapter 1: Measurement Systems

This document discusses measurement systems and their key performance terms. It defines a measurement system as having an input of the variable being measured, and an output of the measured value. The main elements of a measurement system are identified as the sensor, signal processor, and data presentation. Common performance terms for measurement systems are then defined, including resolution, accuracy, error, range, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, sensitivity, and stability. Specific error types like hysteresis error and nonlinearity error are also explained.

Uploaded by

Yousef Sardahi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Chapter 1: Measurement systems

Objective

At the end of this lecture, you will be able to interpret some of the performance
terminologies used in the specifications of instrumentation.
Systems
A system can be defined as an arrangement of
parts within some boundary which work together
to provide some form of output from a specified
input or inputs. The boundary divides the system
from the environment and the system interacts
with the environment by means of signals
crossing the boundary from the environment to
the system, i.e. inputs, and signals crossing the
boundary from the system to the environment,
i.e. outputs
Dictionary
1. A set of connected things or parts forming a
complex whole, in particular.
2. A set of things working together as parts of a
mechanism or an interconnecting network.
Visualization of Systems
A useful way of representing a system is as a
block diagram. Within the boundary described
by the box outline is the system and inputs to
the system are shown by arrows entering the
Electric motor system
box and outputs by arrows leaving the box.

Amplifier system

Interconnected systems
An instrumentation/measurement system. Instrumentation systems
• The purpose of an instrumentation
system used for making measurements
pressure measurement is to give the user a numerical value
corresponding to the variable being
measured.
• Measurement systems have an input of
speedometer the true value of the variable being
measured and an output of the
measured value of that variable.

flow rate measurement


The Constituent Elements
of an Instrumentation
System
1. Sensor
This element is in contact with the process for
which a variable is being measured and gives an
output which depends in some way on the value of
Measurement system elements
the variable.
2. Signal processor (signal conditioner)
This element takes the output from the sensor and
converts it into a form which is suitable for display
or onward transmission in some control system
3. Data presentation
This presents the measured value in a form which
enables an observer to recognize it.
A data presentation element
Sensor: resistance thermometer element signal processer for the thermometer sensor

Sensors: thermocouple signal processer for the thermocouple sensor


Transducers
• The term transducer is often used in relation to measurement systems.
• Transducers are defined as an element that converts a change in some physical variable into a
related change in some other physical variable. It is generally used for an element that converts a
change in some physical variable into an electrical signal change.
• Sensors are transducers. However, a measurement system may use transducers, in addition to the
sensor, in other parts of the system to convert signals in one form to another form.
PERFORMANCE TERMS (Static
Characteristics)
The following are some of the more common terms used to define the performance
of measurement systems and functional elements.

Resolution Accuracy
Error Range
Precision Repeatability
Reproducibility Sensitivity
Stability
Resolution

• Resolution is the smallest amount of an input signal change that can be reliably
detected by an instrument.
• Resolution as stated in a manufacturer’s specifications for an instrument is usually
the least-significant digit (LSD) of the instrument.
• Resolution as stated in the case of a sensor the smallest change that can be
detected. For example, the OMRON ZX-E displacement sensor has a resolution of
1 μm.
Accuracy

• Accuracy is the extent to which the value indicated by a measurement system or


element might be wrong. For example, a thermometer may have an accuracy of
±0.1oC .
• Accuracy is often expressed as a percentage of the full range output or full-scale
deflection (f.s.d). For example, a system might have an accuracy of ±1% of f.s.d.
If the full-scale deflection is, say, 10 A, then the accuracy is ±0.1A .
Error

• The term error is used for the difference between the result of the measurement
and the true value of the quantity being measured, i.e.
Error=Measured value-True value
For example, if the measured value is 10.1 when the true value is 10.0, the error is
+0.1. If the measured value is 9.9 when the true value is 10.0, the error is -0.1.
• Errors can arise in a number of ways and the following describes some of the
errors that are encountered in specifications of instrumentation systems.
1. Hysteresis error
2. Non-linearity error
3. Insertion error
Hysteresis Error
• The term hysteresis error is used for the
difference in outputs given from the same
value of quantity being measured according to
whether that value has been reached by a
continuously increasing change or a
continuously decreasing change. Thus, you
might obtain a different value from a
thermometer used to measure the same
temperature of a liquid if it is reached by the
liquid warming up to the measured temperature
or it is reached by the liquid cooling down to
the measured temperature.
Non-linearity Error
• The term non-linearity error is used for the
error that occurs as a result of assuming a
linear relationship between the input and
output over the working range, i.e. a graph of
output plotted against input is assumed to
give a straight line.
• Few systems or elements, however, have a
truly linear relationship and thus errors occur
as a result of the assumption of linearity.
Linearity error is usually expressed as a
percentage error of full range or full scale
output. As an illustration, the non-linearity
error for the OMRON ZX-E displacement
sensor is quoted as ± 0.5% . As a further
illustration, a load cell is quoted in its
specification as having: non-linearity error ±
0.03% of full range, hysteresis error ± 0.02%
of full range.
Insertion Error

• The insertion error is the error that results when a measurement device is inserted
to measure a physical quantity. Examples:
Insertion of a cold thermometer in a hot liquid to measure its temperature.
Insertion of an ammeter to measure current in a circuit.
Insertion of a voltmeter to measure voltage in a circuit.

Loading with an ammeter: (A) circuit before meter


Loading with a voltmeter: (A) before meter, (B)
introduced, (B) extra resistance introduced by meter.
with meter present.

You might also like