EP 320

Process Instrumentation
and Instrumental Analysis
January April, 2015
1. Introduction Classification of instrument.

Teaching Plan: EP320

(W1 to W4)

Homework exercise
Textbook Q1.6

A thermocouple having a sensitivity of 4.8 mV/oC has

been used for the measurement of temperature. Its
output is connected to a moving coil milivoltmeter
which has sensitivity of 1o/mV.
If the length of the pointer of the instrument is 30
mm, determine the overall sensitivity of
temperature-sensing system in mm/oC.
[10 Marks]
Answer: 2.51 /

Solution: Textbook Q1.6

Determine the overall sensitivity of temperaturesensing system in mm/oC.
A thermocouple having a sensitivity of 4.8 mV/oC has
been used for the measurement of temperature.
Its output is connected to a moving coil milivoltmeter
which has sensitivity of 1o/mV.
length of the pointer of the instrument is 30 mm,
Temperature, oC

thermocouple
Transducer
= . /

Transducer element

Voltage

Moving coil
= /

Signal conditioning
element

angle

Mili-volt
meter
Data presentation
element

Pointer & scale, mm

L max = 30 mm

Solution: Textbook Q1.6

Determine the overall sensitivity of temperaturesensing system in mm/oC.
Temperature, oC

thermocouple
Transducer
= . /

Transducer element

Voltage

Moving coil

Angle, o

= /

Signal conditioning
element

Pointer & scale, mm

Mili-volt
meter
Data presentation
element

Assume semi-sphere shape meter has been used:

Thus, max = 180o

the transfer function gain for milivoltmeter is calculated as;
=

30
=
= 0.5236 /

180

Finally, the overall sensitivity mm/oC is;

= = 4.8 1 0.5236 = 2.51 /

L max = 30 mm

Extended exercise: Textbook Q1.6

Repeat Q1.6
Determine the unknown temperature when the
output of millivolt meter is 15.482 mm
Temperature, oC

sensitivity

T = ? oC

= . /

Pointer & scale, mm

L = 15.482 mm

Temperature measurement device

=
=

15.482
=
= 6.168
2.51

Instrument Parameters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Accuracy
Range
Span
Precision
Reproducibility
Sensitivity

7. Offset
8. Drift
9. Hysteresis
10. Resolution
11. Repeatability
12. Linearity

Classification of instrument
Operational mode of instrument

Instrument can be classified according to the

mode of operation, energy conversion, output
signal, and etc.
In general is it classified as:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Deflection and Null Types

Manually Operated and Automatic Types
Analog and Digital Types
Self-generating and Power-Operated Types
Contacting and Non-Contacting Types
Dumb and Intelligent Types

Deflection and Null Types

An iterative balancing operation using some type of

comparator to achieve balance, and a null deflection
at parity.

Deflection Type

Balance Input
(known)

Balance Input
(unknown)

Null Type

Deflection and Null Types

Deflection instrument:
A measuring device whose output
deflects proportional to the
magnitude of the measurand.

Manually Operated and Automatic Types

Manual Operated Type Any instrument that
requires the service of human.
Automatic Operated Type Any instrument that
incorporated the auxiliary device to remove manual
human service.
Automatic type is preferred because :
1. Fast dynamic response
2. Lower operational cost

Manually Operated Type example

Manually Operated Type example

Manually Operated Type example

Manually Operated Type example

Manually Operated Type example

Manually Operated Type example

Automatic Operated Type example

auxiliary device

0
Desire Input
(set-point)

Manually Operated Type: Null-bridge resistance thermometer

Manually Operated Type: Null-bridge resistance thermometer

Signal conditioning
element
Temperature, oC

Voltage

thermocouple
Transducer

Actual Value

Signal
Conditioning

Scale

Transducer element

Data presentation
element

Null-detection

Manual
Slider
Bridge Circuit

Automatic Operated Type: Null-bridge resistance thermometer

Automatic Operated Type: Null-bridge resistance thermometer

Signal conditioning
element
Temperature, oC

thermocouple
Transducer

Voltage

Actual Value

Signal
Conditioning

Scale

Transducer element

Data presentation
element

Rev. Motor

Slider

controller
Bridge Circuit

Relay

Desire value
+
Amplifier

Analog and Digital Types

Analog instrument present the physical variable in
continuous/stepless variations with respect to time.
Digital instrument provide a signal that has been
sampled from continuous data.

Analog and Digital Types

Analog Signal

Analog and Digital Types

Digital Signal

Analog Signal

Self-generating and Power-Operated Types

Energy require by self-generating instrument are met entirely
from the input signal.

Photovoltaic cell (self-generating type)

Contacting and Non-Contacting Types

Non-contacting instrument desire input even though they are
not in-close contact with the measuring medium.

Variable reluctant tachometer (Proximity type)

Dumb and Intelligent Types

Conventional Types - input variable is measured
and display, but the data is processed by the
observer.
Intelligent Type incorporated AI to process data
by using microprocessor. The purpose are as
follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Noise reduction
Auto calibration
Drift correction
Gain adjustment, etc.

Computer Based Measurement

To be continued
Instrument characteristic (Static & Dynamic)