Thus, the actual temperature is in the range 53.275
o
C and 56.725
o
C.
c) Error = 44 . 0
% 100
) 55 %( 8 . 0
=
C
o
Thus, the actual temperature is in the range 54.46
o
C and 55.44
o
C.
Example 2
Two pressure instruments with a range of 0 to 100 psi are measuring a process value of
50 psi. The accuracy of both devices is 1% FS. Data obtained from five measurements
are listed in the following table; determine which instrument has a greater degree of
repeatability.
Measurement Instrument A (psi) Instrument B (psi)
1 49.9 49.9
2 49.7 49.6
3 50.1 50.4
4 49.8 49.7
5 50.2 50.5
Solution:
From the measurements shown, it can be seen that the instrument A is more repeatable.
The measurements from both instruments are within the tolerance expressed by the 1%
accuracy stated ( 1 psi).
MECN 4600 Design of Experiment and Instrumentation
Created by Amlcar A. Rincn Charris
8
Example 3
A force sensor measures a range of 0 to 150 N with a resolution of 0.1% FS. Find the
smallest change in force than can be measured.
Solution:
Because the resolution is 0.1% FS, we have a resolution of:
Resolution = N
N
15 . 0
% 100
) 150 %( 1 . 0
=
Which is the smallest measurable change in force.
Standards
In order that investigator in different parts of the country and different parts of the world
may compare the results of their experiments on a consistent basis. It is necessary to
establish certain standard units of length, mass, time, temperature, pressure, etc. The
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have the primary responsibility
for maintaining these standards in the United States.
A Dimension defines a physical variable that is used to describe some aspect of a
physical system. The fundamental value associated with any dimension is given by a
Unit.
A Unit defines a measure of a dimension.
Dimension Unit
Length Meter
Mass Kilogram
Time Second
Fundamental Dimension: Length, Mass, Time, Temperature, Electrical Current,
Luminous Intensity.
Derived Dimension: Acceleration, Area, Density, Velocity and Force.
A Primary Standard defines the value of a unit it provides the means to describe the unit
with a unique number that can be understood throughout the world. The primary standard
then assigns a unique value to a unit by definition.
MECN 4600 Design of Experiment and Instrumentation
Created by Amlcar A. Rincn Charris
9
The standard of length:
The meter is defined as the length of a platinum-Iridium bar maintained to certain
specified condition at the International Bureau of Weights and Measured.
1 foot = 0.30480060 meters.
1 inch = 0.02540005 meters.
The standard of Mass:
The kilogram is defined as the mass of a particular platinum-Iridium bar which is
maintained under very specified conditions at the International Bureau of Weights and
Measured.
1 lbm = 0.45359237 Kg.
The standard of time:
The second has been defined as 1/86400 of a mean solar day. The solar day is measured
as the time interval between two successive transits of the sun across a meridian of the
earth.
Standards of Temperature
The basic unit of temperature, the Kelvin, K, is defined as the fraction 1/273.16 of the
thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water, the temperature at which the
solid, liquid, and vapor phases of water exist in equilibrium.
o
C = K 273.15
o
F =
o
R 459.67
o
F = 1.8
o
C + 32
Electrical Standards
All electrical units originate from the definition of the Ampere. One ampere is the current
that produce a magnetic force of 2*10
-7
N/m on a pair of thin parallel wires carrying that
current and separated by 1 m. The remaining electrical units, such as volts and ohms, can
all be derived from the value of the ampere and the basic units of mass, length and time.
MECN 4600 Design of Experiment and Instrumentation
Created by Amlcar A. Rincn Charris
10
STANDARD GRAPHICS SYMBOLS FOR PROCESS CONTROL
AND INSTRUMENTATION
In the measurement and control field a standard set of symbols is used to prepare drawing
of control systems and processes. The symbols used in these drawing are generally based
on Instrument Society of America (ISA) and American National Standards Institute
(ANSI), standard ANSI / ISA S5.1.
A typical application for this standard is Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
This type of drawing shows the interconnection of process equipment and the
instrumentation used to control loops.