Instrumentation and

Control Systems
III Year B.Tech. – II Sem.
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
Course Objectives:
The course focuses on imparting the principles of measurement which includes the working mechanism of various
sensors and devices, that are in use to measure the important physical variables of various mechanical systems.
UNIT – I
Definition – Basic principles of measurement – measurement systems, generalized configuration and functional
descriptions of measuring instruments – examples. static and dynamic performance characteristics – sources of error,
classification and elimination of error.
Measurement of Displacement: Theory and construction of various transducers to measure displacement – piezo
electric, inductive, capacitance, resistance, ionization and photo electric transducers, calibration procedures.
UNIT – II
MEASUREMENT OF TEMPERATURE: Classification – ranges – various principles of measurement – expansion,
electrical resistance – thermister – thermocouple – pyrometers – temperature indicators.
MEASUREMENT OF PRESSURE: Units – classification – different principles used, manometers, piston, bourdon
pressure gauges, bellows – diaphragm gauges. low pressure measurement – thermal conductivity gauges – ionization
pressure gauges, mcleod pressure gauge.
UNIT – III
MEASUREMENT OF LEVEL : Direct method – indirect methods – capacitative, ultrasonic, magnetic, cryogenic fuel
level indicators – bubler level indicators.
FLOW MEASUREMENT: Rotameter, magnetic, ultrasonic, turbine flow meter, hot – wire anemometer, laser doppler
anemometer (LDA).
MEASUREMENT OF SPEED : Mechanical tachometers – electrical tachometers – stroboscope, noncontact type of
tachometer
Measurement of Acceleration and Vibration: Different simple instruments – principles of seismic instruments –
Vibrometer and accelerometer using this principle.
UNIT – IV
STRESS STRAIN MEASUREMENTS : Various types of stress and strain measurements – electrical strain gauge –
gauge factor – method of usage of resistance strain gauge for bending compressive and tensile strains – usage for
measuring torque, strain gauge rosettes.
UNIT – V
MEASUREMENT OF HUMIDITY – Moisture content of gases, sling psychrometer, absorption psychrometer, dew point
meter.
MEASUREMENT OF FORCE, TORQUE AND POWER- Elastic force meters, load cells, torsion meters, dynamometers.
 UNIT – VI
ELEMENTS OF CONTROL SYSTEMS : Introduction, importance – classification – open and closed systems,
servomechanisms–examples with block diagrams–temperature, speed & position control systems.

TEXT BOOKS:
1. Measurement Systems: Applications & design / D.S Kumar/
2. Mechanical Measurements / BeckWith, Marangoni,Linehard, Pearson
REFERENCES:
1. Measurement systems: Application and design/Doeblin Earnest. O. Adaptation/ TMH
2. Experimental Methods for Engineers / J.P.Holman/McGraw Hill
3. Mechanical and Industrial Measurements / R.K. Jain/ Khanna Publishers.
4. Instrumentation, measurement & analysis / B.C.Nakra & K.K.Choudhary/TMH

Courseoutcomes:

After undergoing the course the student can select appropriate device for
the measurement of parameters like temperature, pressure, speed, stress,
humidity, flow velocity etc., and justify its use through characteristics and
performance.
INTRODUCTION

Measurement is the process

of quantifying a parameter

Importance of Measurement
Systems
 The art of measurement is a wide discipline in
both Engineering and Science, encompassing the
areas of Detection, Acquisition, Control and
Analysis of data.

It involves with the precise measurement and

recording of a physical, chemical, mechanical, or
an optical parameter and plays a vital role in
every branch of Scientific research and Industrial
Processes interacting basically with Control
Systems, Process Instrumentation, and Data
reduction.
Recent advances in Electronics, Physics, Material
Science, and other branches of Science and
Technology have resulted in the development of
many sophisticated and high precision measuring
devices and systems, catering to varied measurement
problems in such disciplines as Aeronautics, Science
and Technology, Space, Medicine, Oceanography,
and Industry in general.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Signal Transducer
Purpose of Measurement System

Elements of an Instrumentation system

Classification of Instrumentation
 INSTRUMENTS

MECHANICAL OPTICAL ELECTRICAL ELECTRONIC HYDRAULIC

AND
PNEUMATIC

DIGITAL ANALOG HYBRID

NULL TYPE DEFLECTION TYPE

OPEN LOOP SYSTEM CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM

Classification of Instruments
 Instrumentation and Control Systems
Active and Passive Instruments
Power operated OR Self generating

Criteria: Energy consideration is the power supplied to operate the instrument

comes entirely from the subject (measured medium) to be measured.

Self Generating (Passive ) Instruments – the energy requirements are met

entirely from the input signal.
Example: Exposure Camera (Photo voltaic cell), Clinical thermometer, Pitot tube,
simple Bourdon tube pressure gauge……

Power operated (Active ) Instruments - those which require some auxiliary

power source such as electrical, hydraulic ….

Example: Differential Transformer

Contacting and Non Contacting Types

A Variable reluctance Tachometer (Proximity type)

 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Types of Applications of Measurement

Instrumentation
• Every application of measurement, including those not yet
invented, can be put into one of these three categories or
some combination of them:

(A) Monitoring of processes and operations

(B)Control of processes and operations

(C)Experimental Engineering Analysis

• Monitoring of Processes and Operations

– Here the measuring device is being used to keep track

of some quantity.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

– Certain applications of measuring instruments may be

characterized as having essentially a monitoring function,
e.g., thermometers, barometers, and water, gas, and electric
meters, automotive speedometer and fuel gage, and
compass

• Control of Processes and Operations

– One of the most important classes of measurement
application.
– Sensors are used in feedback-control systems and many
measurement systems themselves use feedback principles
in their operation.
– Sensors are used in feedback systems and feedback systems
are used in sensors
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

– So an instrument can serve as a component of a control

system. To control any variable in a feedback control
system, it is first necessary to measure it. Every
feedback-control system will have at least one
measuring device as a vital component.

• A single control system may require information from

many measuring instruments, e.g., industrial machine
and process controllers, aircraft control systems,
automotive control systems (speed control, antilock
braking, coolant temperature regulating, air
conditioning, engine pollution, etc.).
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Plant Disturbance Input

Plant
Flow of Energy
Manipulated Controlled
and/or Material
Input Variable
Controlled
Control Plant
Variable
Effector
Sensor
Controlled
Variable
Plant
Sensor

Control
Director
Desired Value of
Controlled Variable

Feedback-Control System
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

• Experimental Engineering Analysis

– In solving engineering problems, two general methods
are available: theoretical and experimental.
Many problems require the application of both methods
theory and experiment should be thought of as
complimenting each other.
– Features of Theoretical Methods
• Often gives results that are of general use rather than for
restricted application.
• Invariably require the application of simplifying
assumptions.
The theoretically predicted behavior is always different
from the real behavior, as a simplified physical/ Mathematical
model is studied rather than the actual physical system.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

• In some cases, may lead to complicated mathematical

problems.
• Require only pencil, paper, computers, etc. Extensive
laboratory facilities are not required.
• No time delay engendered in building models,
assembling and checking instrumentation, and
gathering data.

– Features of Experimental Methods

• Often gives results that apply only to the specific
system being tested. However, techniques such as
dimensional analysis may allow some generalization.
• No simplifying assumptions necessary if tests are run
on an actual system. The true behavior of the system is
revealed.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

• Accurate measurements necessary to give a true

picture. This may require expensive and
complicated equipment. The characteristics of all
the measuring and recording equipment must be
thoroughly understood.
• Actual system or a scale model required. If a scale
model is used, similarity of all significant features
must be preserved.
• Considerable time required for design, construction,
debugging of apparatus.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Generalized Configurations and Functional Descriptions of

Measuring Instruments

Operation and Performance of measurement systems

Functional description Performance Characteristics

Static and Dynamic
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Functional Descriptions of Measuring Instruments

Functional Elements of an Instrument or Measurement System

(1)Primary Sensing Element (4) Data Transmission Element

(2)Variable Conversion Element (5) Data Presentation Element
(3)Variable manipulation Element
Example 1: Instrumentation and Control Systems

Pressure gauge

Measured Medium - Fluid

Quantity to be measured - Pressure
Physical Elements :
Piston
Piston Rod
Spring
Linkage
Pointer and Scale
Instrumentation and Control Systems
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Example 2:

Pressure thermometer

Physical Elements:
Bulb
Tubing
Bourdon Tube
Linkage and Gear
Scale and Pointer
Instrumentation and Control Systems
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Input-Output Configuration of Measuring Instruments

Desired Interfering and Modifying Inputs
 Input-Output Configuration of Instruments
Drapper, McKay, and Lees

qTypes of Inputs
Desired inputs
Spurious inputs
Interfering inputs
Modifying inputs
--Quantities that cause a change in the
input –output relations for the desired
and interfering inputs

qInput-output relations
Constant
Nonlinear static function
Differential equation
Probability density function
description of output from repeated equal static input.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems
Input-Output Configuration of Instruments

Types of Inputs :
Desired inputs
Spurious inputs
Interfering inputs
Modifying inputs
Quantities that cause a change in the input-output relations for the desired and
interfering inputs
Examples : Instrumentation and Control Systems

Acceleration and Tilt angle

Temperature and Gravitational force
1
2

Strain gauge

Temperature
60 Hz Field

Manometer
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Methods of Correction for Spurious

Inputs

Method of inherent sensitivity

Method of high-gain feedback
Method of calculated output corrections
Method of signal filtering
Method of opposing inputs
 Instrumentation and Control Systems

Method of Inherent Sensitivity

Try to make FI and FM,D as nearly to zero as possible.

Example : In Strain Measurement using Strain gauge

Select gauge material that has low temperature coefficient

of resistance while retaining its resistance to strain.