Department of Technical Education Andhra

Pradesh
Name of the faculty : K.V.Ramana Babu,
Designation : HEEES,
Branch : Electrical and Electronics
Engineering
Institute : S.V.G.Polytechnic,Tirupathi
Semester : III semester
Subject : Electrical and Electronic
Measuring Instruments
Sub.Code : EE305
Topic : Basics of Measuring
Instruments
Duration : 50 minutes
Sub Topic : Distinguish Between
Absolute and Secondary
Measuring Instruments.
Teaching Aids : 1PPT, Animation, Photograph
Revised by : CH. Mallapa Raju, GPT, Vijayawada

9EE305.1 1
 Objectives

On completion of this period, you would be able

to know

Absolute Instruments

Secondary Instruments

9EE305.1 2
 Measurement

Measurement is a process in which the

magnitude of a quantity is determined is
comparing with another similar quantity

OR

Measurement is the process by which one can

Convert physical parameters to meaningful
number

9EE305.1 3
 Measuring Instruments

The instrument used to measure any quantity like

electrical or non-electrical is known as measuring
instrument.

For example:
Speedometer
Ammeter etc.

9EE305.1 4
 Necessity Of Measuring Instruments

In day-to-day life the electrical and non-electrical

quantities measurement is very essential

Because we need to know the electrical quantities in

sub-stations, industries and laboratories etc.

We also need to know the speed, temperature of the

machines in work-shops or laboratories etc. for better
performance

9EE305.1 5
 Electrical Measuring Instruments
The instrument used to measure the electrical
quantity is known as electrical measuring instrument

Examples

Ammeter : used to measure the current

Voltmeter : used to measure the voltage

Ohmeter : used to measure the resistance

Wattmeter : used to measure the power

Power factor meter : used to measure the power factor

9EE305.1 6
 Classification of Instruments

Measuring instruments are classified as

follows

Absolute instruments

Secondary instruments

9EE305.1 7
Secondary Instruments are

Indicating instruments

Integrating instruments

Recording instruments

9EE305.1 8
Classification of Electrical Measuring
Instruments

Instruments

Absolute Instruments Secondary Instruments

Indicating Recording Integrating

Instruments Instruments Instruments

9EE305.1 9
 Absolute Instruments

Gives the value of the quantity to be measured, in

terms of instrument constants and deflection

9EE305.1 10
Absolute Instruments do not Require
any Previous Calibration or Comparison

Example
1) Tangent galvanometer

2) Rayleighs current balance instruments

Uses

As standardizing instruments in standard

laboratories like Research & Development

9EE305.1 11
 Secondary Instruments

The value of the electrical quantity to be measured can

be determined from the deflection of instruments directly

The instrument doesn't have any meter constant

9EE305.1 12
Requirements of Secondary Instruments

Need to be calibrated with an absolute instrument

Without calibration, the deflection of the instruments is
meaningless
Examples
Ammeter : used to measure the current

Tachometer : used to measure the speed

Thermometer: used to measure the temperature

Sismograph : used to measure the intensity of

earth-quake
9EE305.1 13
Difference between Absolute and Secondary
Instruments
S.No Absolute Instrument Secondary Instrument

1 The reading obtained in The reading is obtained

terms of meter constants from the meter reading

2 It is costly instrument It is cheap compared to

absolute instrument
3 It is used in R&D All the instruments we
laboratories see in the market are
secondary type

9EE305.1 14
 Summary
In this class we have discussed about

Types of measuring instruments

1. Absolute instruments

2. Secondary instruments

Indicating instruments

Recording instruments

Integrating instruments

9EE305.1 15
 Quiz

1.The absolute Instrument is

a) Voltmeter
b) Ammeter
c) Galvanometer
d) None of the above

9EE305.1 16
 Quiz

2.The secondary instrument is

a) Tangent galvanometer
b) Rayleighs current balance instruments
c) Voltmeter
d) None of the above

9EE305.1 17
 Quiz

3.The instrument used in Standard Laboratories is

a) M.C. ammeter
b) Rayleighs current balance instruments
c) Voltmeter
d) None of the above

9EE305.1 18
 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Absolute Instruments

and Secondary Instruments ?

How the Measuring Instruments are classified ?

9EE305.1 19