Mansoura University

Faculty of Engineering
Electrical Power & Machine Dept.

Static Characteristics of measuring

instruments

By
Khaled Ibrahim Abdel Aziz Hamid
Section 3

Supervised By
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebrahim A. Badran
 Abstract
This report deals with static characteristics of Measuring
instruments, the performance criteria for the measurement of
quantities that remain constant, or vary only quite slowly.

Table of Contents
1.Introduction……………………………………………………….……………………1
2.Static Characteristics…………..……………………..….………………………1
2.1 Accuracy……………………………………………….…………………………..1
2.1.a Point Accuracy………………………………………………………….2
2.1.b Percentage of True Value………………………………………….2
2.1.c Percentage of Full-Scale Deflection….……………………….2
2.1.d Complete Accuracy Statement …..…………………………….2
2.2 Sensitivity..………………..………..….………………………..……………….3
2.3 Resolution.….………………….………………….……………………………..3
2.4 Error ………………………………………………………………………………3
2.5 Expected Value……………….………………………………………………3
2.6 Uncertainty.….…………….…………..…………...………………………..3
2.7 Dead Time…….…………………………………………………………………4
2.8 Dead Zone………………………….………………………………………………4
2.9 Drift….…………………….….………..……………………………………………4
2.10 Point Drift…………………....……………………………………………….4
3.Dynamic Characteristics………….…………………..….………………………4
3.1 Dynamic Error …………..……………………..….………………………5
3.2 Fidelity………………….…..……………………..….………………………5
3.3 Speed Response………...……………………..….………………………5
3.4 Measuring lag………...…….…………………..….………………………6
References………..……………………………………………………………………..6
1.Introduction
The performance of a measuring instrument is one of the most
important factor which affects:

a. The choice between commercially available instruments.

b. The design procedure for a specific measuring task.

The treatment of instrument performance characteristics has

generally been divided into:

a. Static characteristics.
b. Dynamic characteristics.

2.Static Characteristics
The static characteristics of an instrument are considered for devices
which are employed to measure an unvarying process condition.

All the static performance characteristics are obtained by calibration

2.1 Accuracy

A qualitative term used to relate the instrument output to the

true value of measurand with declared probability limits. In
measurement it is influenced by static error, dynamic error,
drift, hysteresis, temperature and vibration.
Accuracy refers to the degree of closeness or conformity to
the true value of the quantity under measurement
It may be specified in several different ways

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a. Point Accuracy
The accuracy is stated for only one or more points in its range i.e. the
specification of such accuracy does not give any information about
the general accuracy of the instrument.
This is particularly applicable to temperature-measuring devices,
where points are obtained at the melting and vaporizing-temperatures
f pure solids and liquids.

b. Percentage of True Value

When the accuracy of an instrument is expressed in this way, then
the error is computed as

𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥 100
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
* The percentage error stated is the maximum for any point in the
range of the instrument.

c. Percentage of Full-Scale Deflection

Here the error is calculated on the basis of maximum value of the
scale, thus

𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥 100
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

d. Complete Accuracy Statement

In some cases, Pyrometers for example, it may not be sufficient to
specify accuracy at a limited number of points, and the accuracy at a
larger number of points is specified in tabulated or graphical form.

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2.2 Sensitivity
The ratio of a change in
output magnitude to the
change in input which
causes it after the steady-
state has been reached.
The sensitivity will be a
constant in a linear
instrument or element i.e.
where equal changes of
the input signal causes
equal changes of output. Figure 1

Sensitivity is usually required to be high.

2.3 Resolution
The least interval between two adjacent discrete details, which can
be distinguished one from the other.
It may be expressed as an actual value or as a fraction or percentage
of the full- scale value.

2.4 Error
The algebraic difference between the indicated value and the true
value of the measured signal
𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

2.5 Expected Value

The design value, i.e. the most probable value that calculations
indicate one should expect to measure.

2.6 Uncertainty
provides the range within which the true value is estimated to lie.

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2.7 Dead Time
It is defined as the time required by
a measurement system to begin to
respond to a change in the
measurand.
Thus dead time is the time before
the instrument begins to respond
after the measurand has been
changed.

2.8 Dead Zone Figure 2

It is the largest change of input quantity for which there is no output of
the instrument.

For instance, the input applied to the instrument may not be sufficient
to overcome the friction and will, in that case not move at all.

2.9 Drift
It is an undesired change in the output-input relationship over a
period of time.

2.10 Point Drift

It is the change in output over a specified period of time for a constant
input under specified reference operating conditions.

3.Dynamic Characteristics
On application of an input to an instrument or measuring system, it
cannot attain its final steady-state position instantaneously.
The fact is that the measurement system passes through a transient
state before it reaches its final steady-state position.
Some measurements are carried out in such conditions that allow
sufficient time for the instrument or measurement system to settle to
its final steady state position.

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Under such conditions the study of behavior of the system under
transient state, known as transient response is not of much
importance; only steady-state response is to be considered.
On the other hand, in many measurement systems it becomes
essential to study the system response under both transient-as well
as steady-state conditions.

In many cases the transient response of the system is more important

than its steady-state response.

As we know that the instruments and measurement systems do not

respond to the input immediately due to the presence of energy
storage elements (such as electrical inductance and capacitance,
mass fluid and thermal capacitance etc.) in the system.

In measurement systems having inputs dynamic in nature, the input

varies from instant to instant, so does the output.

The behavior of the system under such conditions is dealt by the

dynamic response of the system, and its characteristics are given
below in brief.

3.1 Dynamic Error

It is the difference of true value of the quantity changing with time
and the value indicated by the instrument provided static error is
zero.

3.2 Fidelity
It is the ability of the system to reproduce the output in the same
form as the input. In the definition of fidelity any time lag or phase
difference is not included.
Ideally a system should have 100% fidelity and the output should
appear in the same form as the input and there is no distortion
produced by the system.
3.3 Speed Response
It is the speed with which an instrument responds to variations in the
quantity under measurement.

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3.4 Measuring LAG
It is defined as the delay in the response of an instrument to a change
in the measurand. This lag is usually quite small but it becomes quite
significant where high speed measurements are required.
Measurement lag is of two types. In retardation type, the response of
the instrument begins immediately after a change in the measurand
has occurred.
In time delay type, the response of the system begins after a delay
time after the application of the input.

References
1.Electrical Measurements and Measuring Instruments 2th edition by J.B.Gupta
2.Gujarat Power Engineering & Research Institute,Mewad. Ppt on Characteristics of
instruments
3.Static and dynamic characteristics of instruments P M V Subbarao Proffesor
4.https://mediatoget.blogspot.com.eg/2012/01/static-dynamic-characteristics-of.html