ECE443 / ECE442 – Instrumentation and Control

INSTRUMENTATION DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS

is a technology of measurement which serves not only science but all instruments rarely respond instantaneously to changes in the measured
branches of engineering, medicine, and almost every human endeavour. variables.

MEASURING 1. SPEED OF RESPONSE – it is the rapidity with which an instrument

is basically used to monitor a process or operation, or as well as the responds to changes in the measured quantity.
controlling process.
2. FIDELITY – is the degree to which an instrument indicates the changes
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS in the measured variable without dynamic error.

 Static Characteristics 3. LAG – it is the retardation or delay in the response of an instrument to

 Dynamic Characteristics changes in the measured variable.

4. DYNAMIC ERROR – it is the difference between the true value of

STATIC CHARACTERISTICS
quantity changing with time and the value indicated by the instrument,
are considered for instruments which are used to measure an unvarying
if no static error is assumed.
process condition.

1. INSTRUMENT – is a device or mechanism used to determine the present DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR

value of the quantity under measurement. is determined by subjecting its primary element to some unknown and
predetermined variations in the measured quantity.
2. MEASUREMENT – is the process of determining the amount, degree, or
capacity by comparison with the accepted standards of the system units THREE MOST COMMON VARIATIONS IN THE MEASURED QUANTITY
being used.
1. STEP CHANGE – in which the primary element is subjected to an
3. ACCURACY – is the degree of exactness of a measurement compared to instantaneous and finite change in measured variable.
the expected value.
2. LINEAR CHANGE – in which the primary element is following a
4. RESOLUTION – is the smallest change in a measured variable to which measured variable, changing linearly with time.
an instrument will respond.
3. SINUSOIDAL CHANGE – in which the primary element follows a
5. PRECISION – is a measure of the consistency or repeatability of measured variable, the magnitude of which changes in accordance with
measurements. a sinusoidal function of constant amplitude.

6. EXPECTED VALUE – is the design, that is the most probable value that ERROR IN MEASUREMENT
calculations indicate one should expect to measure.

7. ERROR – is the deviation of the true value from the desired value.
𝒆 = |𝒀𝒏 − 𝑿𝒏 |
Where: 𝒆 – absolute error
8. SENSITIVITY – is the ratio of the change in output of the instrument to
𝒀𝒏 – expected value
a change of input or measured variable.
𝑿𝒏 – measured value

Prepared by: ENGR. MARK JOMMEL S. NASOL

 ECE443 / ECE442 – Instrumentation and Control

PERCENTAGE OF ERROR

𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒆
% 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒀𝒏

RELATIVE ACCURACY

𝒀𝒏 − 𝑿𝒏
𝑨=𝟏 −| |
𝒀𝒏

PERCENTAGE OF ACCURACY

𝒂 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎% − % 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
Table 1
𝒂 = 𝑨 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎%

EXAMPLES:

1. The expected value of the voltage across a resistor is 80 V. However, the

measurement gives a value of 79 V. Calculate: (a) absolute error, (b) %
error, (c) relative accuracy and (d) % of accuracy.

2. The expected value of the current through a resistor is 20 mA. However,

the measurement yields a current value of 18 mA. Calculate: (a) absolute
error, (b) % error, (c) relative accuracy and (d) % of accuracy.

PRECISION
is a measure of the consistency or repeatability of measurements.

𝑿𝒏 − ̅̅̅̅
𝑿𝒏
𝑷=𝟏− | |
̅̅̅̅
𝑿𝒏

Where: 𝑷 – Precision
𝑿𝒏 – value of the nth measurement
̅̅̅̅
𝑿𝒏 – average set of measurement

EXAMPLE:

3. Table 1 gives below the set of 10 measurements that were recorded in

the laboratory. Calculate the precision of the 6th measurement.

Prepared by: ENGR. MARK JOMMEL S. NASOL