Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Al-Mustaqbal University College

Department of Technical Computer Engineering

INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT

2rd Stage
Lecturer: Ahmed Almhanna

2019-2020
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 Chapter Two

Performance Characteristic of instruments

2.1 Introduction
The instrument is a device for determining the value or magnitude
of a quantity or variable. The performance of the measurement system is
strongly governed by the characteristics of the instruments and the
transducer used within them. Knowledge of these characteristics is
essential when designing and using of these instruments to ensure that the
measurement requirements are met.
The characteristics of any instruments or transducer are normally
given in the data sheet for the instrument supplied by the manufacturer.
Instrument characteristics can be divided into two categories: static and
dynamic characteristics.

2.2 Static Characteristics

Static characteristics are those that describe the instrument's
parameters in steady-state. i.e when the
Instrument output has settled to a steady readings. The static
characteristics of the instrument have a fundamental effect on the quantity
of measurements abtained from it.
The various static characteristics are defined as follows.
1. Accuracy: is the degree of correctness of measurement it is the
closeness with which the measured value approach the true value
The measurement accuracy is given as:
| |
A = [1 - ] * 100% ……………………. (2.1)

Where

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 A = the accuracy
Xm = the measured value
XT = the true value

Example (2.1)
An ohmmeter us used to measure a resistance of 10 Determine
the accuracy of this instrument if its reading is 9.9 .
Solution
| |
A = [1 - ] * 100 %

| |
= [1 - ] * 100 %

| |
= [1 - ] * 100 %

| |
= [1 - ] * 100 %

| |
= [1 - ] * 100 %

= 99%
2. Inaccuracy: is the maximum error which may exist in measurement,
and it is sometimes known as uncertainty.

Example: (2.2)
For the instrument of Example (2.1), determine the inaccuracy.
Solution
| |
The inaccuracy = * 100 %

|
= [1 - ] * 100 %

= 10 %

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3. Precision: Is the closeness of the measured value to each other. It is a
numerical value refers to the closeness of the measured values to the
mean value.
The precision is given as:
| ̅|
Pi = * 100 % ………….. (2.2)
̅
Where
P = the precision
Xi = the ith measured value.
̅ = the mean value of the measured values, i.e:

1 n
X   Xi ....................(2.3)
n i1
Example (2.3)
A voltmeter is used to measure a voltage of 9V. the following
measurements are made: 8.9, 8.8 , 9.1 , 9.2 , 8.9 calculate the precision of
the third reading.

Solution
| ̅|
Pi = [1 - = * 100 %
̅
| ̅|
P3 = [1 - ] * 100%
̅

1 n
X   Xi
n i1
5

=  Xii 1
=

= = 8.98 V

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 | |
P3 = [1- ] X 100 %

= 99.73 %
The degree of repeatability or reproducibility in measurements
from an instrument is an alternative way of expressing its precision.
4. Repeatability: Is the closeness of the output readings of an instrument
when the same input is applied repetitively over a short period of time,
with the same instrument observer, method of measurement.
5. Reproducibility: Is the closeness of the output readings of an
instrument for the same input when there are changes in the measuring
instrument observer, method of measurement, location, condition of
use and time of measurement.
6. Sensitivity: Is the ratio of the change in the instrument output to the
change in the measured quantity.
The sensitivity of the indicating instrument is given as:

S= …………………. (2.4)

The sensitivity of measurement is therefore the slope of the straight

line drown to represent the relationship between the measured quantity
and output reading, as shown in Fig. (2.1)

Output
reading

Slope = sensitivity of
measurement

Measured quantity
Fig (2.1). The sensitivity of measurement representation

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Example: (2.4)
The following resistance values of a platinum-resistance
thermometer were measured at a range of temperature determine the
measurement sensitivity of instrument.
Resistance Temperature
( ) (C )
307 200
314 230
321 260
328 290
335 320

Solution:
Here, the instrument is a thermometer, therefore; the input to this
instrument is a temperature, while the output is the ohms, as shown
below:

ºC 𝜴
Thermometer
Input
Output

Therefore

S=

= = = 0.233 C

7. Zero drift: Is the description of the effect where the zero reading of
the instrument is modified by a change in ambient conditions as
illustrated in fig. (2.2)

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 Characteristic
Output with zero drift
reading
Normal
characteristic

Measured quantity
Fig (2.2). Description of Zero drift

8. Sensitivity drift: Is the amount by which the instrument's sensitivity

varies as absent conditions change It is also known as "scale factor
drift". The effect of sensitivity drift on the output of the instrument is
shown in fig (2.3)

Output
Characteristic with sensitivity drift
reading

Normal
characteristic

Measured quantity
Fig (2.3). The effect of sensitivity drift on the instrument
characteristic
If the instrument suffers both the zero drift and sensitivity drift at
the same time, then the modification of the output characteristic is shown
in fig. (2.4).

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 Output Characteristic with zero and sensitivity
reading drift

Normal characteristic

Measured quantity

Fig (2.4). The effect of both the Zero and sensitivity drift on the
output characteristic of instrument

Example: (2.5)
A spring balance is calibrated in an environment at a temperature
of 20 C and has the following deflection/toad characteristic:
Load (Kg) 0 1 2 3
Deflection (mm) 0 20 40 60

It is then used in an environment at a temperature of 30 C and the

following deflection/load characteristic is measured.
Load (Kg) 0 1 2 3
Deflection (mm) 5 27 49 71
Determine the zero drift and sensitivity drift per C change in
ambient temperature.
Solution:
At 20 C
(
Sensitivity = = = 22 mm/kg
(

Therefore,
Zero drift = (5-0) mm = 5 mm
( (
Sensitivity drift = -

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 = 22 – 20 = 2 mm/kg
Thus:

Zero drift/ C = = 0.5 mm/ C

Sensitivity drift/ C = = 0.2 mm/kg/ C

9. Resolution: Is the ability of instrument to sense the smallest change in

the measured quantity.
The resolution is generally specified as a percentage of the full-
scale deflection (FSO) as follows:

Res = = = 0.2 A

Example (2.7)
If the ammeter of Example (2.6) can read up to 1/4 scale division,
determine the resolution of the instrument in mA.
Solution:
1 A = 1000 mA
10 A = 10000 mA

Res =

But, this instrument can read up to 1/4 division, therefore, Res = .

10. Tolerance: It is the maximum deviation of a manufactured component

from a specified value.

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Example (2.8)
A resistor is chosen at random from a batch having a nominal value
of 1000 and a tolerance of 5 % determine the actual value of this
resistor.
Solution
5/100 * 1000 = 50
the tolerance of this resistor = 50
= 950 1050
11. Range and span: Are the maximum or minimum values of the
quantity that the instrument is designed to measure.
As an Example, for the instrument shown in Fig. (2.5)
The input range is from -10 C to 90 C
The output range Is from 2 V to 12 V
The input span = 90 – (-10) = 100 C
The output span = 12 – 2 = 10 V

-10 ºC 2V
Thermometer
90 ºC 12 V

Fig (2.5) The input and output range and span

12. Significant Figure: The significant figures convey the actual

information regarding the magnitude and the measurement precision
of the measured quantity,
For Example, if a resister is specified as having a resistance of
68 , its resistance should be closer to 68 , thanto 67 or 69 . But, if
the value of resistance is described as 68.0 , it means that it is closer to
68.0 than it is to 67.9 .

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