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Lecture 3

Measurement errors exist in all instruments and can combine to create greater errors. There are two main types of errors - random errors of unknown origin, and systematic errors related to the measurement system. Gross errors are human errors like misreading instruments, while systematic errors alter measurements, like a voltmeter changing a circuit's voltage. Errors can be minimized by taking multiple readings and using the mean. Absolute errors are stated as an exact value, while relative errors express the error as a percentage of the measurement.

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25 views8 pages

Lecture 3

Measurement errors exist in all instruments and can combine to create greater errors. There are two main types of errors - random errors of unknown origin, and systematic errors related to the measurement system. Gross errors are human errors like misreading instruments, while systematic errors alter measurements, like a voltmeter changing a circuit's voltage. Errors can be minimized by taking multiple readings and using the mean. Absolute errors are stated as an exact value, while relative errors express the error as a percentage of the measurement.

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ladikapubg6420
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Measurement Errors

• No electronic component or instrument is perfectly accurate; all


have some error or inaccuracy

• Errors may combine to create even greater errors in


measurement systems

• Worst case combination of errors must always be assumed

• Operator or observer errors might exist

• The system of using instruments can introduce a systematic


error

• Errors of unexplainable origin are classified as random errors

• Some errors can be minimized by taking many readings of


each instrument and determining the mean values 3
Gross Errors and Systematic Errors
• Gross Errors are essentially human errors that are the result of
carelessness e.g. simply misreading the instrument
• Figure 2.1a shows the digital display of 32.5mA (the range is
300mA) might be read as 32.5A, by mistake
• Figure 2.1b shows an analog instrument with three scales (0-
25, 0-10, 0-50). The 25 scale is used when the range selection
switch is set to a multiple of 25, the 10 scale is for ranges that
are multiples of 10 and so on. It is possible to read the wrong
scale etc
• Sometimes, a meter is read correctly but the reading is
recorded incorrectly.
• Substituting instrument readings in appropriate equation, or
plotting a few points on a graph helps to check the validity of
the recorded readings, while measurements are still in
progress

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Gross Errors and Systematic Errors

5
Gross Errors and Systematic Errors
• Measurement errors will occur if the accuracy of an instrument
has not been checked for some time or if the instrument has
not been calibrated
• Errors will occur with analog instruments if the pointer has not
been mechanically zeroed before use
• Such errors can be termed as gross errors because they can
be avoided with care. However, they might also be classified
as systematic errors because they are the result of the
measurement system
• The voltmeter resistance may alter the circuit voltage or an
ammeter resistance might change the level of a current
(Systematic errors)
• When more than one instruments are involved, the errors
might accumulate leading to larger errors

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Absolute Errors and Relative Errors
• If a resistor is known to have a resistance of 500 Ohms with a
possible error of ±50 Ohms, the ±50 Ohms is stated as an
absolute error because 50 Ohms is an absolute quantity, not
as a percentage of the 500 Ohm resistance
• When the error is expressed as a percentage or as a fraction
of the total resistance, it becomes a relative error. Thus ±50
Ohms is ±10%, relative to 500 Ohms. So the resistance can be
specified as: 𝑅 = 500Ω ± 10%
• Percentages are usually employed to express errors in
resistances and other electrical quantities.
• A resistor with a possible error of ±10% is said to be accurate
to ±10% or to have a tolerance of ±10%
• Similarly 20.00V±0.02V is an absolute quantity, so it is an
absolute error but could be expressed as 20.00V±0.1%, and
now the error is stated as a relative error

7
Absolute Errors and Relative Errors
• Another method of expressing an error is to refer to it in parts
per million (ppm) relative to the total quantity

• For example, the temperature coefficient of 1MΩ resistor might


be stated as 100 ppm/Co, which means 100 parts per million
per degree Celsius. One millionth of 1MΩ is 1Ω; consequently,
100ppm of 1MΩ is 100Ω. Therefore, a 1Co change in
temperature may cause the resistance to increase or decrease
by 100Ω

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Absolute Errors and Relative Errors

9
Absolute Errors and Relative Errors

10

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