Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Module Name: Electrical Measurement and
Instrumentation
Module Code: EET 04214
Number of Credits: 9
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Introduction
Measurement means to monitor a process or an operation and using an
instrument, express the parameters, quantity or a variable items of
meaningful numbers.
The measurement of a given parameter or quantity is the act or results of a
quantitative comparison between a predefined standard and unknown
quantity to be measured. The physical, chemical, electrical quantity, properly
process, variable or condition to be measured is referred as measurement
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Cont.…
For the meaningful measurements first the comparison standard should be
accurately defined and commonly accepted and second the procedure and
instrument used for obtaining the comparison must be provable.
The major problem with any measuring instrument is error. Hence it is
necessary to select the appropriate measuring instrument and ,measuring
procedure which minimizes the error
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Cont.…
Nowadays, the measurement of electrical quantities is an essential part of
almost any measurement. It can be realized as a measurement, whose results
indicate directly a value of measured electric quantities, such as voltage,
current, resistance, capacitance, electrical power, Intensity etc., or a
measurement, where measurement of electrical quantities is only an internal
function of an electronic measurement system measuring any other physical
quantity
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Cont.…
Instrumentation is a branch of engineering that deals with the measurement
and control of different parameters. Simply instrumentation is defined as the
art and science of measurement and control
Measuring instrument is a device for determining the value or magnitude of a
quantity or variable. The measuring quantity can be voltage, current, power
and energy etc.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Basic Electrical Quantities
The basic electrical quantities are electrical current and voltage, electrical
charge, resistance, capacitance, inductance and electric power. Electricity is a
flow of free electrons carrying negative electric charge from a place of their
excess (the place with negative charge) to a place of their deficiency (the place
with positive charge).
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Basic Electrical Quantities Units and Symbols
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Electrical Measuring Instruments
Ammeter
Measures the intensity (i.e. amps) of current circulating through an electrical
circuit.
Ohmmeter
Records the ohms, or the electrical resistance, in a circuit.
Multimeter
A meter that brings together the capabilities of the other meters: it incorporates
the tools necessary to measure voltages, resistances, capacitances, etc.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Galvanometer
Indicates the intensity of flow of current trough the circuit
Voltmeter
used to measure the potential difference between two points of a closed
electrical circuit or the electromotive force of a battery. This instrument must
have high electrical resistance so that, when it’s connected to the circuit, it does
not generate consumption that alters the result and accuracy of the
measurement.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Spectrum analyzer
A measuring equipment that displays the components and spectral ranges of
electrical signals coming from any wave, whether electromagnetic, mechanical,
acoustic, or optical.
Oscilloscope
A measuring instrument and graphical display of electrical signals that vary
over time. This tool makes it possible to visualize transient phenomena and
facilitates the diagnosis and analysis of an electrical circuit’s operation, as well
as its possible failures.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Principles of Good Measurement
The right measurements
Measurements should only be made to satisfy agreed and well specified
requirements
The right tools
Measurements should be made using equipment and methods that have
been demonstrated to be fit for purpose
The right people
Measurement staff should be competent, properly qualified and well informed
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Cont.…
Regular review
There should be both internal and independent assessment of the technical
performance of all measurement facilities and procedures
Demonstrable consistency
Measurements made in one location should be consistent with those made
elsewhere and across time
The right procedures
Well-defined procedures consistent with national or international standards
should be in place for all measurements
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Functional Elements of an Instrumentation System
Most of the measurement contain three main functional elements, These are
primary sensing , variable conversion and data presentation elements
Primary Sensing Element
The quantity under measurement makes its first contact with the primary
sensing element of a measurement system.
Variable Convention Element
It converts the output of the primary sensing element into suitable form to
preserve the information content of the original signal.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Data Presentation Element
The information about the quantity under measurement has to be conveyed to
the personnel handling the instrument or the system for monitoring, control or
analysis purpose.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Evolution of Instruments
a) Mechanical Instruments
b) Electrical Instruments
c) Electronic Instruments
Mechanical Instruments
These instruments are very reliable for static and stable conditions. But their
disadvantage is that they are unable to respond rapidly to measurements of
dynamic and transient conditions.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Electrical Instruments
It is faster than mechanical, indicating the output are rapid than mechanical
methods. But it depends on the mechanical movement of the meters. The
response is 0.5 to 24 seconds.
Electronic Instruments
It is more reliable than other system. It uses semiconductor devices and weak
signal can also be detected
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Methods of Measurement
a) Direct Comparison Method
b) Indirect Comparison Methods
Direct Comparison Method
In this method unknown quantity is directly compared against a standard and
result is expressed as numerical value and unit. It is not possible, feasible and
practicable inaccurate because they involves human factors and not sensitive.
Not preferred and rarely used
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Examples of the instruments used in the direct method include digital
voltmeters for measuring the voltage, digital thermometers for measuring
the temperature, and pressure gauges for measuring the pressure.
Indirect Comparison Methods
In this method, the parameter to be measured is compared with the standard
through the use of a calibrated system.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Examples of indirect methods are measuring the resistance of any unknown
resistor by determining the voltage/current across it. Calculating the flow rate
of a fluid through a pipe by measuring the differential pressure drop across a
restriction like an orifice
Classification of Measuring Instruments
Generally instruments are classified in to two categories
.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Absolute instrument
An absolute instrument determines the magnitude of the quantity to be
measured in terms of the instrument parameter. This instrument is rarely used,
because each time the value of the measuring quantities varies. So we have to
calculate the magnitude of the measuring quantity, analytically which is time
consuming. These types of instruments are suitable for laboratory use.
Example: Tangent galvanometer and Absolute electrometer.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Secondary instrument
This instrument determines the value of the quantity to be measured directly.
Generally these instruments are calibrated by comparing with another
standard secondary instrument. Examples of such instruments are voltmeter,
ammeter and wattmeter etc.
Secondary Instruments are classified into four categories.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Indicating Instrument
This instrument uses a dial and pointer to determine the value of measuring
quantity. The pointer indication gives the magnitude of measuring quantity.
The examples are ammeters, voltmeters etc.
For satisfactory operation electromechanical indicating instrument , three
forces are necessary. These forces are
i. Deflecting force
ii. Controlling forces
iii. Damping forces
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Deflecting force
When there is no input signal to the instrument, the pointer will be at its zero
position. To deflect the pointer from its zero position, a force is necessary
which is known as deflecting force. A system which produces the deflecting
force is known as a deflecting system. Generally a deflecting system converts
an electrical signal to a mechanical force.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Controlling force
To make the measurement indicated by the pointer definite (constant) a force is
necessary which will be acting in the opposite direction to the deflecting force.
This force is known as controlling force. A system which produces this force is
known as a controlled system. When the external signal to be measured by the
instrument is removed, the pointer should return back to the zero position. This
is possibly due to the controlling force and the pointer will be indicating a
steady value when the deflecting torque is equal to controlling torque.
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Damping force
The deflection torque and controlling torque produced by systems are electro
mechanical. Due to inertia produced by this system, the pointer oscillates
about it final steady position before coming to rest. The time required to take
the measurement is more. To damp out the oscillation is quickly, a damping
force is necessary.
This force can be air friction damping, fluid friction damping or eddy current
damping
Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation
Recording instrument
This type of instruments records the magnitude of the quantity to be
measured continuously over a specified period of time. The examples are x-y
plotter and recorders like magnetic tape recorders etc.
Integrating instrument
This type of instrument gives the total amount of the quantity to be
measured over a specified period of time. The example is household energy
meter
