Static Sensitivity Static Sensitivity of an instrument or an instrumentation system is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the output signal or response to the magnitude of an input signal or the quantity being measured. The reciprocal of sensitivity is defined as inverse sensitivity or deflection factor. The sensitivity of an instrument should … Read more
In this article, we will see the difference between accuracy and precision terms. They are also most confusing terms in measurements regarding instruments. What is Accuracy? Accuracy is the closeness with which the instrument reading reaches the true value of the quantity being measured. 1. The accuracy of measurement means conformity to truth. 2. The … Read more
Scale Range and Scale Span are two most confusing terms in measurement. Many a times students get confused with these two terms. Here I have clarified both these terms in the easy language. In analog instruments, the value of measurand is indicated by the pointer on a scale. A scale has some values mentioned on … Read more
In this article, we will learn about two important terms Reproducibility and Drift. These two terms are important for instruments in measurements. Reproducibility Reproducibility is defined as the degree of closeness with which a given value may be repeatedly measured. Drift Drift is the gradual shift in the indication or record of the instrument over … Read more
In this article, we will understand the concept of errors in measurement, types of errors in measurement in detail. This is most important and starting topic in measurements. True Value It is defined as the average value of an infinite number of measured values when average deviation due to various contributing factor approaches to zero. It … Read more
Data loggers are nowadays used by Environmental consultants, energy auditors, building managers, research scientists, engineers for recording data in many applications. We will know in detail about data loggers, its anatomy, working principle, advantages and applications. Data Logger It is an electronic instrument that records measurements at set intervals over a period of time. Data … Read more
Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) It is a device which senses the resistance change on account of temperature change. This property is used for measurement of temperature. Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) is also called as a resistance thermometer. It uses the change in electrical resistance to measure the temperature. Construction of RTD RTD elements consist of … Read more
Fig. NTC Thermistors (source: ussensor.com) Thermistors These are the thermally sensitive resistors. The resistance of a thermistor varies as a function of temperature. The thermistor is also called thermal resistors. It is a resistive temperature transducer. Thermistors are composed of semiconductor materials. It is composed of a sintered mixture of metallic oxides such as Mn, … Read more
Fig: LVDT cross-section (source: te.com ) Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) is an inductive transducer that we discussed in the previous article. It is basically used to translate linear motion into electrical signals. LVDT Construction LVDT consists of one primary winding and two secondary windings. All these windings are wound on a cylindrical former. … Read more
Fig. Resistive Potentiometers (POT) (source: instructables.com) Potentiometer A potentiometer consists of a resistive element having a sliding contact. This sliding contact is known as a wiper. A potentiometer is also called as POT because it is used in voltage division. It is a resistive and passive transducer. Depending upon the motion of wiper, potentiometer are … Read more