Measurements & Instrumentation

Chapter 2
Instruments Types & Performance Characteristics

Eng. Mohammad Musleh

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 Chapter Contents

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Review of Instruments Types
2.3 Static Characteristics for Instruments

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 2.2 Instruments Types Classification
- Instruments can be classified into subcategories:

1) According to having an energy source within them. Active & Passive

2) According to the style presenting the output. Null & Deflection

3) According to the type of the output. Analog & Digital

4) According to the presenting of the output. Indicators & Signal Output

5) According to its (smartness). Smart & Non Smart

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 1- Passive & Active Instruments

- This category is based whether the instrument output is entirely

produced by the quantity being measured or whether the quantity
being measured simply modulates the magnitude of some external
power source.

- Passive Instruments are also called Self Operated Instruments.

- Active Instruments are also called Power Operated Instruments.

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 a- Passive Instruments

- Passive or Self-operated
instruments are those in
which no outside power is
required for operation .
- The output energy is supplied
entirely or almost entirely by
the input measurand.

- Simple, therefore cheap

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 b- Active Instruments

- Active or power-operated
instruments are those in which some
external power such as electricity,
compressed air (pneumatic) or
hydraulic supply is required for the
operation.

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 2- Null Type and Deflection Type Instruments

- Deflection Type : The value of the quantity being measured

is displayed in terms of the amount of
movement of a pointer (e.g. Pressure gauge).
(Used on regular basis)

- Null Type: The zero or null indication determines the magnitude of

the measured quantity from a set point (more accurate ).
(Used for calibration purposes)

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 2- Null Type and Deflection Type Instruments

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

- Analog Instrument:

- Gives an output that varies continuously as the quantity being

measured changes.
- The output can have an infinite number of values.

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

- Analog Sensor:
Analog sensors provide a signal that is continuous in both its
magnitude and time.

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

- Analog Sensor:

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

- Digital Instrument:

- A digital instrument has an output that varies in discrete steps

and so can only have a finite number of values.

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

- Digital Sensor:

- Digital sensors provide a signal that is in discrete values of

time.

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

- Digital Sensor:

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

-Digital instrument is easier to handle because it can be

interfaced directly to the control computer.

- Analog instrument requires analog to digital converter

(ADC) to convert the analog output signal from the
instrument into an equivalent digital quantity that can be
read into the computer. However, this is troublesome.

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 3- Analog & Digital Instruments

This conversion has several disadvantages:

1- The A/D converter adds a significant cost to the system.

2- A finite time is involved in the process of converting an

analog signal to a digital quantity, and this time can be critical
in the control of fast processes where the accuracy of control
depends on the speed of the controlling computer.

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 4- Indicating Instruments & Instruments with Signal Output
- Indicating Instrument: An instrument which provides an audio
or visual indication of the magnitude
of the physical quantity measured.
(Analog output/ Digital display)

- Instrument with signal output: An instrument which provides

an output in the form of a
measurement signal whose
magnitude is proportional to
the measured quantity.

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 5- Smart & Non Smart Instruments
Now there are computers that perform digital signal processing to
enhance measurement quality which are incorporated into the
measurement devices.

Such devices which incorporate digital signal processing are

called intelligent devices.

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 5- Smart & Non Smart Instruments

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 Characteristics of Instruments
The performance characteristics of an instrument can be
classified into two categories:

1. Static Characteristics – It is the set of criteria which are used

for measuring the quantities that are mostly constant or may
vary slowly with time, i.e. they remain static without varying.
e.g., Precision, Accuracy, Linearity, Repeatability, Sensitivity,
Threshold, Resolution, Drift, Range, Stability, and Tolerance.

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 Characteristics of Instruments
The performance characteristics of an instrument can be
classified into two categories:

2. Dynamic Characteristics – These set of criteria of the

instruments change rapidly with time. e.g., Dynamic error,
Speed of response...

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

1- Accuracy and Inaccuracy (Measurement Uncertainty):

- Accuracy is a measure of how close the output reading of the

instrument is to the correct value

- Inaccuracy (measurement uncertainty) is the extent to which

a reading might be wrong, and is often quoted as a
percentage of the full-scale reading of an instrument.

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

2- Precision:

- Precision is a term that

describes an instrument’s
degree of freedom from
random errors.

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 Start Here

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments
3- Repeatability:

Repeatability describes the closeness of output readings when the

same input is applied repetitively over a short period of time
under the same measurement conditions.
The following conditions need to be fulfilled in the establishment
of repeatability:
1- the same experimental tools 2- the same observer
3- the same measuring instrument 4- same objectives
5- repetition over a short period of time. 6- the same location
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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

4- Reproducibility:

- Reproducibility describes the closeness of output readings

for the same input when there are changes in the method
of measurement, observer, measuring instrument, location,
conditions of use, and time of measurement.

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

5- Tolerance:

- Tolerance is a term that is closely related to accuracy and

defines the maximum error that is to be expected in some
value.
- It is commonly used to describe the maximum deviation of
a manufactured component from some specified value.

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29 Eng. Mohammad Musleh
 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments
6- Range and Span:

- The Range of an instrument

defines the minimum and
maximum values of a quantity
that the instrument is
designed to measure.
- i.e. for the input from IMIN to
IMAX , and for the output from
OMIN to OMAX
The range is from 0 to 10 V
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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

- The span of an instrument is the

maximum variation of the input or
the output.

Input span = IMAX – IMIN,

Output span = OMAX – OMIN.

The span =10 V – 0 V = 10 V

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

- Example:
- The following table represents the readings of a thermocouple test:
Determine the range and span for the temperature and the voltage
Temperature (I) Voltage (O)

10 ℃ 0.15 mV

100 ℃ 15 mV

200 ℃ 30 mV

300 ℃ 45 mV

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments
7- Resolution:

- Resolution is defined as the largest

change in the input I that can occur
without any corresponding change in the
output O.
- Or It is a smallest change in a quantity
being measured that causes a
noticeable change in the
corresponding indication.

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 2.3 Static Characteristics of Instruments

7- Resolution:

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