Accuracy describes/refers to the nearness/closeness of a measurement to the standard or

known true value.

For example, if in lab you obtain a weight measurement of 3.2 kg for a given substance, but the
actual or known weight is 10 kg, then your measurement is not accurate. In this case, your measurement
is not close to the known value.
Accuracy is defined as, "The ability of a measurement to match the actual
value of the quantity being measured".
(Or)

Precision :

Precision is the degree to which several measurements provide answers very close to

each other. It is an indicator of the scatter in the data. The lesser the scatter, higher
the precision.
Simply it can be defined as Precision refers to the closeness of two or more
measurements to each other.
Using the example above, if you weigh a given substance five times, and get 3.2 kg each
time, then your measurement is very precise. Precision is independent of accuracy. You can
be very precise but inaccurate, as described above. You can also be accurate but
imprecise.
The pictures given below clearly describe Accuracy and Precision.

Hysteresis

It is the difference between the indications of a measuring instrument when the same value of
the measured quantity is reached by increasing or by decreasing that quantity.

I.e.; Hysteresis is a phenomenon under which the measuring instrument shows different output
effects during loading and unloading.

Hysteresis results from the inelastic quality of an element or device. It also results in the
pointer not returning completely to zero when the load is removed.

It is the maximum difference between corresponding upscale and downscale outputs for any
single test cycle, that is, the maximum difference in output at any given value of the measured
variable within the specified range when approaching that point first with increasing the input
and then decreasing the input. Figure 8.1 illustrates the hysteresis phenomenon.

Fig. 8.1 Input and output hysteresis

The numerical value of hysteresis is specified in terms of output or input values.

The sum of the two effects of dead band and the hysteresis is determined directly from the
deviation values of a number of test cycles.

Hysteresis is determined by subtracting the value of dead band from the corresponding value of
hysteresis plus dead band for a given input.

The maximum difference in the readings is reported as hysteresis.

The difference may be expressed as a percent of ideal output span. For example, the hysteresis
is reported as 0.2% of output span.

Hysteresis results due to the presence of several factors, such as, mechanical friction, motion in
bearings, magnetic and thermal effects. This could also be due to a free play or looseness in the
mechanisms.

Dead time: Dead time is defined as the time required by a measurement system to begin to
respond to a change in measurand.

Dead Zone : is defined as the largest change of input quantity for which is no output of the
instrument

Threshold

The minimum value of input signal that is required to make a change or start from zero is called
the Threshold value of a measuring instrument .

This is the minimum value below which no output change can be detected when the input is
gradually increased from zero.

Example : In digital system, the out put is displayed in incremental digits. Thus, in digital

instruments the threshold is the minimum input signal which is necessary to produce at least one
significant digit of output to indicate on the display.

Resolution or discrimination