Electrical Engineering Department

Indian Institute of Technology Patna

EE 371 Instrumentation & Control Laboratory

General Instructions

The laboratory classes will begin in the very first day of class in each semester. However for
those who are attaining the classes for the first time, the very first week is scheduled for
giving instructions, laboratory sheet etc.
The students must come to the laboratory duly prepared with the knowledge of the theories
and the methods on the experiment to be performed.
The attendance in laboratory classes is must. The grade will be allotted by the concerned
teacher based on the knowledge, performance of the experiments, lab reports and
examination.
Grade will be awarded on the following basis
Grade Marks Grade Marks Grade Marks Grade Marks Grade Marks Grade Marks
S+
9.5 A+
8.5 B+
7.5 C+
6.5 D+
5.5 E+
4.5
S
9 A
8 B
7 C
6 D
5 E
4

Submission of laboratory report

In the cover sheet name of the student, class and title of the experiment must be written in
capital letters. Small letters must be used in writing the co workers name and objective of the
experiment.
The list of the equipments used for experiments with the range rating etc must be submitted
with the final report of the experiment.
The experimental results should be produced through tables where necessary. Tables should
be drawn neatly with pencil. In case of computed results in table the formula used for
computation should be mentioned along with one sample calculation.
Graphs should be drawn by pencil whenever asked or necessary for experiment. The circuit
diagrams must be drawn neatly using pen/pencil. The graph sheet with appropriate title and
number should be attached with the final report.
During preparation of report student should mention the precaution taken in the experiment if
any, discuss the results including comments on the measurement data and any other related
topic.
A systematic calculation of the percentage error starting from the working formula should be
given wherever necessary.
Scheduled time for submission of report is one week. No late submission will be accepted.
Before attaining the viva voce examination students are advised to collect all the reports and
put them in a file and carry that file with them.

Shovan Bhaumik
Ahmad Ali
EE, IIT Patna

EE 371

Experiment 2

IIT Patna

Measurement of Strain Using Strain Gage

Experiment No 2
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by Shovan Bhaumik
Duration: 3 hours
1.1
Objective:
(i) Measurement of strain in a cantilever beam using strain gage.

1.2
1.3

1.4

1.5

Figure 1
Figure 2
Apparatus: (i) Cantilever beam (ii) strain gage (iii) OP AMP (v) multimeter etc
Procedure & Experimental Results:
(i) Measure the resistance of the strain gage with multimeter. Now deform the cantilever beam and
note down the resistance of the strain gauges for maximum possible deformation.
(ii) Now set up the experiment using single strain gage as shown in figure 1. Set the micrometer such
that there is no deformation of the beam but the micrometer is just touching the rod located to
deform the beam.
(iii) Set the wheatstone bridge resistance R1 and R2 as 1K. Set the amplifier gain as 100, vary the value
of R3 such that zero (or nearest to zero) is obtained on the output of the amplifier. To obtain zero
voltage at the amplifier output corresponding to zero deflection; you may external offset balancing
technique.
(iv) Now in step vary the slider up to 6mm in micrometer screw gage and note down the output voltage,
micrometer and dial gage readings. Also move the micrometer in reverse order and note down the
same parameters.
(v) Plot the output voltage with displacement of cantilever beam. You may subtract the bias voltage
from the readings if necessary. Calculate the slope in volt/mm.
(vi) Knowing the amplifier gain and the bridge supply voltage; (given that G=2.2 for the gage in use and
Rst gage=120 ohm) calculate strain in each reading. Now plot strain with the output voltage values.
From the graph calculate the change in output voltage to the change in strain, ie volt output per unit
strain change.
(vii) Now displace the cantilever beam arbitrarily. Observe the output voltage. From the graph
calculate the strain in the beam. Now calculate the theoretical value of the strain and compare the
both.
(viii) Connect the circuit as shown in figure 2 using two strain gages.
(ix) Repeat the steps from (iii) to (viii). Compare the sensitivity in both the cases.
Few Questions for Viva Voce:
(i) What are the different types of material used for strain gage? How the gage is fixed with the
specimen under measurement?
(ii) What is semiconductor strain gage? What are the advantages and disadvantages of that?
(iii) State the advantages of using dual strain gage instead of single one? What is dummy gage?
(iv) Can the strain gage be used as an extensometer or to measure force and torque?
Reference:
(i) Feedback manual, complete transducers kit TK2942-001.
(ii) E O Doebelin and D.N. Manik, Measurement systems, Tata McGraw Hill, special Indian edition, 2007.
(iii) A.D. Helfric and William D. Cooper, Modern electronics instrumentation and measurement techniques, PHI
learning private limited, New Delhi.
1

EE 371

Experiment 3

IIT Patna

Identification of Linear System From

Frequency Response Test
Experiment No 3
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by S. Bhaumik and A. Ali
Duration: 3 hours
1.1
(i)

Objective:
To plot the gain and phase angle with frequency of an unknown linear system and to
determine the transfer function of the system from the graph.

1.2

Apparatus: (i) Black box (ii) Audio frequency oscillator (iii) CRO

1.3
(i)

Procedure & Experimental Results:

The black box, provided for the experiment, is a single input single output (SISO) electrical
system. Since one terminal is common between the input and output, it is a two port three
terminal system.
Connect the oscillator and CRO with the input and output of the black box. Apply sinusoidal
voltage in input terminal.
Now vary the input sinusoidal signals frequency from low (say 1Hz) to high (say 100KHz)
keeping the input voltage fixed (say 5V).
Observe the output voltage and phase at each frequency. Plot frequency (in rad/sec) versus
gain and frequency versus phase angle in a semilog graph paper.
Fit asymptotes of the gain vs frequency plot and from the corner points and slope identify the
transfer function of the system.
Plot the theoretical phase angle vs frequency graph to identified system. Is that matching with
the experimentally obtained one?

(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)

1.4 Few Questions for Viva Voce:

(i) What is Liasajous figure?
(ii) What are the step and ramp response of the identified system?
(iii) If there is delay in the system how it can be expressed using in transfer function?
(iv) Why sinusoid input is used instead of triangular or other kind of function?
1.5 Reference:
(i) Katsuhiko Ogata, Modern Control Engineering, Prentice-hall Of India Pvt Ltd, 4th edition, 2007.

EE 371

Experiment 4

IIT Patna

Measurement of Temperature Using

Thermocouple
Experiment No 4
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by S. Bhaumik
Duration: 3 hours
1.1
Objective:
(i)
To measure the temperature using thermocouple
1.2

Apparatus: (i) Thermocouple (ii) Heat bar (iii) Thermometer (iv) OP AMP etc.

1.3
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Procedure & Experimental Results:

Design an amplifier or instrumentation amplifier of gain 1000.
Note down the materials used for construction of the thermocouple used for this experiment.
Connect the thermocouple with the instrumentation amplifier. Now put the both end of the
thermocouple in room temperature and observe the output of the amplifier.
Put the thermocouple and thermometer inside the water tank and switch on the heater. Wait
still the steady state in heating is reached.
Now vary the position of thermocouple starting from the closest point of the heater, observe
the temperature of the hot and cold junction as well as output voltage.
Plot the output voltage versus the temperature difference. Also plot the thermocouple emf
versus temperature difference.
Now repeat the steps (iii) to (vi) while the other junction of the thermocouple is in ice.
Compare the results with the theoretical values.
Now determine the room temperature using thermocouple.

(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)

1.4 Few Questions for Viva Voce:

(i) What are the different types of thermocouple use in industry?
(ii) Do you know the construction detail of the thermocouple used for industrial purpose?
(iii) What are Seebeck, Peltier and Thomposon effects?
(iv) What is the law of intermediate metal?
(v) What do you mean by compensating lead in thermocouple?
1.5 Reference:
(i) Feedback manual, complete transducers kit TK2942-001.
(ii) E O Doebelin and D.N. Manik, Measurement systems, Tata McGraw Hill, special Indian edition,
2007.
(iii) A. K. Sawhney and P. Sawhney, A Course in Electrical and Electronics Measurement and
Instrumentation, Dhanpat Rai & Co PLtd, Seventh edition 2009.

Warning: Do not touch the heat bar during experiment. It contains hot surface

EE 371

Experiment 5

IIT Patna

Measurement of Flow Using Orificemeter and

Venturimeter
Experiment No 5
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by S. Bhaumik and M. K. Khan
Duration: 3 hours
1.1
(i)
(ii)
1.2
1.3
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Objective:
To determine the coefficient of discharge of orificemeter and venturimeter
Determine the flow inside a pipe using orificemeter and venturimeter
Apparatus: (i) Venturimeter orificemeter apparatus (ii) Stop watch (iii) Thermometer.
Procedure & Experimental Results:
Open the bypass valve and start the motor.
Close the venturimeter valve and open the orificemeter valve fully.
Note the manometer displacement (hm) actual discharge rate (Qact in m3/s) and calculate
theoretical discharge rate (Qth), discharge coefficient (Cd) and Reynolds number (Re.)
(iv)
Vary the bypass valve position in steps from fully close to fully open. Note the readings and
calculate the parameters described above.
(v)
Now open the venturimeter valve and close the same of orificemeter. Follow the steps from
(ii) to (iv).
(vi)
Plot actual discharge rate (Qact )vs manometer height (hm) and discharge coefficient vs
Reynolds number. You may also plot log(Qact) vs log(hm) to calculate the constants K and n
in the Qact=K(hm)n.
(vii)
Closing the bypass valve partially open the orificemeter and venturimeter valve so that water
flows through both the tubes. Now determine the flow through both the tubes, add them and
compare that with actual discharge.
1.4
Instrumental Details:
(i)
Measuring tank dimensions 300x300x300 mm.
(ii)
Test pipe diameter 28mm. Venturimeter throat and orifice diameter 14mm.
1.5
Few Questions for Viva Voce:
(i) Can you draw the flow profile of venturimeter and orificemeter?
(ii) What is vena contracta? What is head type flow measurement?
(iii) What is Reynolds number? How the coefficient of discharge varies with Reynolds
number?
(iv) What is contraction coefficient?
(v) Do you know the other types of flow measurement device?
(vi) How could you measure the flow of a river?
1.6
Acknowledgement:
Special thanks to Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT Patna for allowing their
instruments to perform this experiment.
1.7
Reference:
(i) E O Doebelin and D.N. Manik, Measurement systems, Tata McGraw Hill, special Indian edition,
2007.
(ii) B. G. Liptak, Instrument Engineers Handbook: Process Measurement and Analysis, vol 1, 4th
edition, CRC, 2003.

EE 371

Experiment 6

IIT Patna

Study of a Position Control System

Experiment No 6
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by S. Bhaumik and A. Ali
Duration: 3 hours
1.1
(i)
1.2

Objective:
To study the O/P response characteristics of a position control servo system
Apparatus: (i) Power supply (PS150E) (ii) Servo amplifier (SA150D) (iii) DC motor
(DCM150F) (iv) Reduction gear tacho unit (GT150X), (v) Op Amp unit (OA150A) (vi) Input
potentiometer (IP 150H) (vii) Output potentiometer (OP 150H) (viii) Connecting wires.
1.3
Procedure & Experimental Results:
(i)
Connect the +15 and -15 volt with input potentiometer. Take the angular position (from 00 to
1800 both clockwise and anti clockwise direction) vs output voltage readings. Plot the data in
a graph paper and calculate the slope.
(ii)
Do the step (i) for output potentiometer.
(iii)
Now connect the input potentiometer and o/p potentiometer with the Op Amp unit as shown
in Fig 1. Put both the potentiometer at zero angle position and observe the O/P. If the O/P
voltage is not zero adjust the zero setting knob to bring the output voltage at zero. Vary the
input potentiometer position in step keeping the output potentiometer fixed at zero degree.
Plot error angle vs output voltage keeping Op Amp gain at unity.
(iv)
Now connect the position control circuit as shown in Fig 2. Draw the block diagram of the
circuit in control system point of view. Check your circuit with instructor. Set the Op Amp in
unity gain position (position 1). If necessary adjust the zero setting knob.
(v)
Suddenly change the input potentiometer angle approx to 200, 400 etc upto 1400 in both the
directions. Observe the steady state O/P potentiometer readings. Also draw the transient
response available through the optical encoder and computer interface for at least two step
inputs. From the plot calculate the rise time, settling time, peak overshoot, delay-time,
damping ratio, conditional frequency and steady state error.
(vi)
Now vary the input gain as 0.1, 0.2, , 0.9 and repeat the step (v).
(vii)
Put the amplifier gain control knob in position 2. Repeat the step (v). Is there any difference
observe in transient response and steady state response?
(viii) Now apply the eddy current break in three different positions. Repeat the step (v). ). Is there
any difference observe in transient response and steady state response?
(ix)
Calculate the transfer function of the overall system. Observe theoretical step response of the
transfer function and compare with that of obtained through experiment.
1.4
Few Questions for Viva Voce :
(i)
Can you say few applications where servo position control is being used?
(ii)
From the system transfer function, calculate the gain for which the system becomes
unstable?
(iii)
How the eddy current damping works?
(iv)
Can you represent DC motor using state variables?
1.7
Reference:
(i) Katsuhiko Ogata, Modern Control Engineering, Prentice-hall Of India Pvt Ltd, 4th edition, 2007.
(ii) Feedback manual, Modular Servo System MS 150.

EE 371

Experiment 6

IIT Patna

Fig 1 Connection to observe error voltage

Fig2 Circuit diagram for DC servo position control

EE 371

Experiment 8

IIT Patna

Modelling and Control of a Magnetic

Levitation System
Experiment No 8
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by S. Bhaumik
Duration: 3 hours
1.1
(i)
(ii)
1.2
1.3

1.4

Objective:
To model the magnetic levitation system
Design a controller to control the position of a steel ball in magnetic field
Apparatus: (i) Magnetic levitation apparatus with the steel ball, (ii) Data acquisition card
(iii) PC with Matlab and Simulink software etc.
Procedure & Experimental Results:
Prelab Tasks:
(i)
Write down the equation of motion of a steel ball under the magnetic and
gravitational field. Find out the point of equilibrium.
(ii)
Note that the equation governing the motion is nonlinear in nature. Linearise the
equation of motion at equilibrium point. You may take the equilibrium current and
positions are 0.8A and 0.009m respectively. Now find out the open loop transfer
function (take voltage as input and position of the steel ball as output). Now derive
the close loop transfer function with unity gain feedback.
(iii)
Find out the pole zero locations of the transfer function. Also draw root locus and
bode plot of the system. Is the system is stable?
(iv)
Implement the above system in Simulink. Observe the step response of the system.
(v)
Now add a transfer function in the form of (KP + KDS). Take some initial guess of KP
and KD.
(vi)
Plot the root locus and find out the values of KP and KD from desired root location.
Also study frequency response and find out the gain margin and phase margin of the
system.
(vii)
Write down the closed loop transfer function of the overall system. Also draw block
diagram of the system.
(viii) Implement the system with controller in Simulink and observe the step response as
well as response for square wave set point.
(ix)
Now instead of adding a transfer function in the form of (KP + KDS), add the transfer
function in the form of (KP +KI/S + KDS). Repeat the steps (vi) to (viii).
Tasks in Lab
(i)
Put the value of KP + KDS in real time Simulink model. Observe the out put response
for step input and square wave input with three different frequencies and amplitudes.
Plot input output waveforms in a graph paper and also plot the error. What is
maximum value of the error? When it is occurring?
(ii)
Put the value of KP + KI/S + KDS in real time Simulink model. Observe plot the
parameters as described in previous step.
(iii)
Give sine wave as desired position input. Observe and plot the parameters as
described in (i).
Reference:
(i) Katsuhiko Ogata, Modern Control Engineering, Prentice-hall Of India Pvt Ltd, 4th edition, 2007.
(ii) Feedback manual, Magnetic Levitation Control Experiments 33-942S.

EE 371

Experiment 9

IIT Patna

Traffic Light Control Using PLC

Experiment No 9
EE371 Instrumentation &Control and Laboratory
IIT Patna
Prepared by S. Bhaumik
Duration: 6 hours
1.1
Objective:
(i)
Automatic control of traffic light using programmable logic controller
1.2
Apparatus: (i) Traffic light kit (ii) Mitsubishi PLC.
1.3
Problems: (program flow diagram and ladder diagram should be drawn in note book
before coming to lab)
(i) In our country from night 8 PM to morning 8 AM onwards there is no traffic control. Only
yellow or amber lights blink across the crossing. Write a ladder diagram so that south and west amber
light blink at an interval of 1 second. The pedestrian crossing should be red always.
(ii) Let us consider there is only a road along north south direction (No east west road). So
there are two traffic signal poles, one for cars and another for pedestrians. Pedestrian can push a
button while crossing the road. If there is no interrupt from pedestrian the traffic light for car will be
green. When the crossing request comes the green light will becomes amber then red and then after
one second the pedestrian red light becomes green. It remains green for 10 second after that the
crossing becomes red. The road light becomes green after one second.
(iii) In an automatic traffic light control the south signal will be green for 30 second while the
west signal will be red. Next after 30 second the south signal will be amber then red (one second
interval). After one second the west signal will be green. It will be green for 30 second and after that
the signal will be amber and then red. It will continue in a cyclic way. Al the time the pedestrian
signal will be red (pedestrian will cross the road at their own risk (Indian style)).
(iv) In an automatic traffic light control, if the car is detected the corresponding signal will be
green and the other crossing signal will be amber then red. If there is any pedestrian crossing request
the road light will be red and the pedestrian light will be green for 10 second. In the mean time the
west road traffic will be on. After 10 second the pedestrian light will be red and the road light will be
as per detected vehicles.

Fig 1

Layout of traffic light control