SHEET (1) - Part A

1. Draw and explain a simple measuring instrument model. Give example of signal
variable.
2. Distinguish between direct and indirect measurements. Give two examples of each.
3. Define the term transducer. What do you understand by active and passive
transducers? Give examples and explain their relative merits and demerits.
4. List the methods of correction for undesirable inputs.
5. What are undesirable inputs? Illustrate with example two methods for their
correction.
6. What are the calibration, its types and its purpose?
7. Identify the main components in the measuring systems of:
(a) Mercury-in-glass thermometer, (b) C-shaped Bourdon pressure gauge.
8. Define the term transducer. What do you understand by active and passive
transducers? Give examples and explain their relative merits and demerits.
9. Define the following terms:
Measurand - Measurement - Instrument – Modifying error - Signal to noise ratio -
Range - Resolution - Dead Zone - Static Calibration - Linearity - Hysteresis error -
Precision - Accuracy - Zero drift - Loading error.
10. Differentiate between the following:
i. Primary and secondary transducers
ii. Intended input - interfering input - modifying input
iii. Precision and accuracy
iv. Static and dynamic characteristics of measuring instruments
v. Systematic error - random error

11. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. If false, rewrite the
correct statement.
a) Instrument engineering is the systematic design of a reliable and cost-effective
measuring system which conforms to the requirements of a measurement
situation.
b) A clinical thermometer is a self-generating device.
c) An active transducer is of power-operated type.
d) Null type instruments are comparatively more accurate than the corresponding
deflection type instruments.
e) Measurement systems seldom provide exact information about the measurand.
f) Bourdon tube transduces the pressure signal into a large displacement which
can be directly read on a measuring scale.
g) The reproducibility is related to the occurrence of drift.
 h) Accuracy is a measure of the ability to represent a true (known) value.

i) If an anemometer calibration produces the relationship 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑜 + 𝑎1 𝑉 0.5 , where

y is the output in meters/second and V is the recorded voltage, then the static
sensitivity is constant.
j) If the voltmeter resistance, Rm, is equal to the instrument resistance, the loading
errors will not exceed a few percent.

12. Choose the correct answer:

11.1 The variation of the ambient temperature can be considered as .

a) modifying input b) interfering input c) desired input
d) a and b e) all of them

11.2 Careful calibration of an instrument

a) requires an accurate calibration reference input.
b) should cover the entire range of the data to be collected.
c) can correct for bias error.
d) all of the above are correct.
e) only A and C are correct.

11.3 The resolution of a digital ammeter with 3 digit display is

a) 1/10000 b) 1/1000 c) 1/4 d) 1/3

11.4 The internal resistance of an instrument is normally based on criterion that

a) It draws large power
b) The instrument can be connected in any circuit
c) It does not change the parameters of the circuit to which this is connected
d) It draws minimum power for its operation

11.5 The internal resistance of an instrument is normally based on criterion that

a) The sensitivity of instrument to environmental input as low as possible
b) The sensitivity of instrument to environmental input as high as possible
c) Systematic errors does not depend on the sensitivity of instrument
d) None of these

11.6 The undesirable characteristics of an measuring system is/are

a) Drift b) Dead zone c) Non linearity d) All of these

11.7 Random errors in a measurement system are due to

a) Environmental changes b) Use of uncalibrated instrument
c) Poor cabling practices d) Unpredictable effects
11.8 The true power measured by the wattmeter whose range is 500 W and an error of
± 2% of full scale deflection is 150 W. The relative error while reading 150 W
will be
a) ± 4% b) ± 5.39% c) ± 6.67% d) ± 1.5%