Republic of the Philippines

Cebu Technological University - Main Campus

M.J. Cuenco Avenue Corner R. Palma St.,
Cebu City
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Name: Fernandez, Trisha Janua J. M.E Laboratory

1

Course/Yr. & Sec.: BSME III-A Instructor: Engr. Aivan Adams V.

Saberon

GROUP 01

Experiment Plate No. 06

TACHOMETER MEASUREMENT
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the rotational speed of an engine or motor
using Tachometer.
THEORY / HYPOTHESIS:
A tachometer (revolution-counter, tach, rev-counter, RPM
gauge) is a device that measures the rotation speed of an engine.
A shaft or disk, such as in a motor or other equipment. On a
typical device, the revolutions per minute (RPM) are displayed on
a screen. Although analog dials are still used, digital displays
are becoming more common. The term is derived from Greek (tachos,
"speed").as well as metron ("measure"). The terms tachometer and
speedometer really mean the same thing: a device that measures
speed measures speed. In the automotive world, one is used for
the engine and the other for the vehicle by arbitrary tradition.
More precise terms are used in formal engineering nomenclature to
differentiate the two. We occasionally need to know the "speed"
of anything. We work in the electromechanical field. RPM stands
for revolutions per minute. At slow speeds, we can put a mark on
the shaft and count the marks for a minute. Simple enough, but
when the speed exceeds 60 frames per second, counting becomes
extremely difficult. With the advent of laser and LED photo
tachometers, the necessity for speed has increased. It became
much easier. The basic aim is to squeeze the trigger, hold it for
a few seconds, and read the display; however, there are certain
exceptions. A few fundamentals of laser tachometer operation. The
laser/LED photo tachometer functions as a light source, light
detector, counter, and precise time gate. It has a light source,
a detector that receives reflected light, and a time gate that
allows the counter to run for a specific length of time. To get
these light pulses back to the detector, a portion of the shaft
must be non-reflective or contrasting. This can be accomplished
by either coloring a portion of the shaft a consistent,
contrasting color or dividing the displayed RPM by the number of
blades. Make certain that the light beam is focused on the
revolving object. Ambient AC-powered lights that flicker can have
an effect; therefore, the less interfering light, the better.
LIST OF MATERIALS AND APPARATUS:

 Tachometer
 Reflective sticker
 Timer
 Capacitor Start Motor
 Motorcycle Wheel

SET-UP OF APPARATUS:
Capacitor Start Motor:
Motorcycle Wheel:

PROCEDURES:
1. Secure all needed materials.
2. Stick the reflective sticker to the rotating part of the
motor.
3. Set up the tachometer by making sure that the laser points at
the reflective sticker, keeping its position steady while the
motor rotates.
4. Turn on the motor then after one minute turn the motor off to
determine its rpm. Repeat process for trials 2 and 3
5. Refer to the tachometer reading for the rpm values. Record the
gathered data.
DATA AND RESULTS:

ROTATIONAL SPEED, N
MOTOR (rpm) POWER TORQUE
TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL 3 AVERAGE (hp) (lb.in)
1 2 (rpm) (rpm)
(rpm) (rpm)

CAPACITOR
START 1790.3 1721.6 1792.5 1768.13 1 35.65

MOTORCYCLE
WHEEL
(GEAR 4- 117.93 119.49 116.45 117.96 10 5342.91
14KM/H)

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:

 Average rotational speed:

For Capacitor Start Motor:

Ave. rotational speed (N)= ∑ ROTATIONAL SPEED

Total No . of Trials

(1790.3+1721.6+ 1792.5)rpm
N=
3
N = 1768.13 rpm

For Motorcycle Wheel

Ave. rotational speed (N)= ∑ ROTATIONAL SPEED

Total No . of Trials

(117.93 +119.49+116.45 )rpm

Nave. =
3
Nave. = 117.96 rpm

 Torque Analysis:
For Capacitor Start Motor:

Power (P)×63 025

Torque ( T) =
Ave . Rotational Speed
P × 63 025
T=
N ave

1hp × 63 025
T=
1768.13 rpm
T= 35. 65 lb.in

For Motorcycle Wheel:

 Power (P)×63 025
Torque (T) =
Ave . Rotational Speed
P × 63 025
T=
N ave

10 hp ×63 025
T=
117.96 rpm
T= 5342.91 lb.in
DISCUSSION:
When using a tachometer to measure the rotational speed of
an object such as an induction motor or a motorcycle, it is
crucial to ensure the accuracy and precision of the tachometer
being used. A high-quality tachometer should be capable of
providing accurate and precise readings of the rotational speed
of the object being tested. Proper calibration and maintenance of
the tachometer are also necessary to ensure reliable and
consistent results. One important consideration is the proper
positioning of the tachometer to accurately measure the
rotational speed of the motor or motorcycle. In some cases, a
sensor sticker may be used to locate and count the RPM. It is
important to carefully position the tachometer and the sensor
sticker to avoid any external interference or error in the
readings. To obtain reliable and meaningful results, it is
recommended to conduct multiple trials and collect sufficient
data to differentiate any changes or factors that may affect the
measurements.
OBSERVATION:
The collected data can then be analyzed to draw conclusions
and insights into the performance of the motor or motorcycle
under different conditions. In summary, using a tachometer to
measure the rotational speed of an induction motor or a
motorcycle can provide valuable information for understanding and
optimizing their performance. To ensure accurate and reliable
results, it is important to use a high-quality tachometer,
properly position it, and collect sufficient data through
multiple trials for analysis.
CONCLUSION:
A tachometer is a device that measures the rotational speed
of an object, typically expressed in revolutions per minute
(RPM). In the case of an induction motor, a tachometer can be
used to measure the motor's speed to ensure that it is operating
within its desired range. This is important for maintaining the
efficiency and performance of the motor, as well as preventing
damage from overheating. Similarly, a tachometer can be useful
for monitoring the speed of a motorcycle, particularly in racing
or other high-performance situations. By accurately measuring the
RPMs of the engine, it adjusts to gear 4 selection to optimize
their performance. The use of a tachometer can provide valuable
information for understanding and optimizing the performance of
rotational systems like induction motors and motorcycles.
However, the specific results of any experiment would depend on
the variables being tested and the methodology used to conduct
the experiment.
RECOMMENDATION:
To improve future experiments, it is suggested that students
conduct tests using different machines that have different RPM
(Revolutions Per Minute) capabilities. This approach would help
to identify any differences in the RPM of the machines and
provide a more comprehensive understanding of their performance
under varying conditions.