MEASUREMENT & INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM EPT 262

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

NURUL IKHMAR IBRAHIM SCHOOL OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING UniMAP

Course Outcome

CO1: Identify and describe measurement and instrumentation system.

Todays topic
Introduction of Measurement and Instrumentation System Applications of Measurement and Instrumentation System

What do you understand about measurement?

1.1 Introduction
Measurement provides a means of expressing a natural phenomena or the various processes in quantitative terms. It involves precise measurement and recording of a physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical and other types of parameters.

What are
Physical parameters?

Electrical parameters? Mechanical parameters?

Measurement units
The SI system of units is divided into 3 categories namely: i. Fundamental units ii. Supplementary units iii. Derived units

Fundamental units
Units which are independently chosen and not dependent on any other units. Also called based units.

Supplementary units
In addition to the fundamental units, there are two supplementary units added to the SI system of units.

Derived units
Units which are derived from fundamental and supplementary units.

Purpose of measurement system

Process: A system which generates information, e.g. a chemical reactor, a car, a human heart, or a weather system.
Observer: A person (or another system) that needs the information, e.g. a plant operator, a driver (or engine control system), or a nurse. Measurement system: A system that measures information carrying quantities, processes them, and presents them to the observer.

1.2 Applications
Present-day applications can be divided into three major areas: i. Monitoring of processes and operations. ii. Control of processes and operations. iii. Experimental engineering analysis.

Monitoring of processes & operations

Refers to situations where the measuring device is being used to keep track of some quantity. The information provided enables human to take actions accordingly. E.g. thermometer, anemometer, water and electric meters

Control of processes & operations

Refers to an automatic feedback control system. Example temperature control system (Fig 1.1)

Control of processes & operations

Figure 1.1 shows a functional block diagram of a simple temperature control system in which the temperature Ta of a room is maintained at a reference value Td. The value of the controlled variable Ta, as determined by a temperature-measuring device, is compared with the reference value Td, and the difference e is applied as an error signal to the heater. The heater then modifies the room temperature until Ta=Td.

Control of processes & operations

Experimental engineering analysis

It is part of engineering design, development and research that relies on lab testing. Involves analysis, simulation, prototyping and trial of products/systems to meet certain standards and quality. Plays an important role in the design and development of new products/systems.

Example
Speedometer
Accelerometer (Airbag deployment)

Tachometer

Fuel gauge

Brake-cylinder pressure & wheel speed sensor (Antilock braking system ,ABS)

What are other examples of application you can think of?

Summary
Definition of measurement. 3 categories of units. Purpose of measurement system. 3 major areas of applications of measurement system.

Next lecture
Measurement types: i. Active/passive instruments. ii. Null/deflection type instruments. iii. Monitoring/control instruments iv. Analog/digital instruments. v. Absolute/secondary instruments.

Next lecture
Find out the differences for each measurement type e.g. Null vs deflection, active vs passive. Also find out the application for each measurement type.