EE 243:

Measurements
and
instrumentation for Non-majors

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EE 243: Measurements and instrumentation for Non-majors
2.0 Units

Instructor: Irene Masenge

Office: Block A, Room: A305
Email: irenehenry6@gmail.com

Mode of delivery:
Lectures: 2hrs per week
Tutorial: 1hr per week
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 Course Contents
1. Introduction
➢ Introduction to units and SI unit system
➢ Errors in measurement and types of errors
➢ Statistical analysis and probability of errors
➢ Electromechanical instruments
DC ammeters and voltmeters
AC ammeters and voltmeters
➢ Electrodynamometers in power measurements
Bridge DC measurements (can be used to measure R)
Bridge AC measurements (L, C, frequency)
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 Course Contents
2. Introduction to transducers
➢ Transducers Concepts and types

➢ Transducer applications

➢ Transducers for velocity, acceleration, force, pressure

transducers, and torque

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3. Transducers classification
➢ Resistance types
Potentiometers, strain gauge etc., and their applications

➢ Inductance type
Variable reluctance transducers principle and applications

➢ Capacitance type
Dielectric, capacitance bridge

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3. Transducers classification, Cont….
➢ Vibration and piezoelectric transducers

➢ Noise introduced by transducers and their reduction

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4. Electrical measurements for non-electrical quantities
➢ Primary sensing elements
Strain, force, displacement, flow, pressure, strain and
stress measurements, displacement and force
measurements

➢ Torque and angle measurement

➢ Analogue signal conditioning

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4. Electrical measurements for non-electrical quantities,
Cont…
➢ Noise and coherent interference in measurements

➢ Signal processing

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 Textbooks

1. Morris, A. S. ``Measurement and Instrumentation Principles”,

Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd, Third Edition, 2001.

2. Northrop, R. B. ``Introduction to Instrumentation and

Measurements”, McGraw-Hill, USA, 1999

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Introduction

Measurement
and
Measurement Systems

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 1.1 Measurement
• Measurement of a given quantity is essentially an act or the
result of comparison between the quantity (whose magnitude is
unknown) and a predefined standard

• Measuring process is one in which the property of an object or

system under consideration is compared to an accepted standard
unit, a standard defined for that particular property

• The number of times the unit standard fits into the quantity
being measured is the numerical measure
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 1.1 Measurement
• The numerical measure is meaningless unless followed by a unit used,
since it (unit) identifies the characteristic or property measured

In order that the results of the measurement are meaningful, there are
two basic requirements

i. The standard used for comparison purposes must be accurately

defined and should be commonly accepted, and

ii. The apparatus used and the method adopted must be provable

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1.2 Measurement system applications
• Application of measuring instruments

1. In regulating trade
Applying instruments that measure physical quantities such as length,
mass, and volume

2. In monitoring functions
Provide information that enables human beings to take some prescribed
action accordingly

3. Used as part of automatic control systems

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1.3 Measurement units
• Dimension
A dimension defines some physical characteristic. Eg., length , mass, time,
velocity, and force

• The dimensions of length, mass, time, electric current, temperature,

amount of matter, and luminous intensity are fundamental dimensions

• Other dimensions are secondary dimensions

Eg., area can be expressed in terms of fundamental dimension of length
squared(L2)

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1.3 Measurement units
• Units
A unit is a standard or reference by which dimension can be expressed
numerically

Units for the fundamental dimensions are called the fundamental units or
base units

For secondary dimensions are called secondary units or derived units

Dimension of velocity are L/T.
Dimension of force are ML/T2
Through out the course the International System of Units, known as SI will be
used
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1.3 Measurement units
• Multiples and Submultiples
In practice it is often convenient to use a multiple or submultiple of the SI
base unit

For example
1 kilometre= 103 metres
1 millimetre=10-3 metres
1 micrometre=10-6 metres

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1.3 Measurement units
• Multiples and Submultiples
The use of multiples or submultiples of the SI base unit avoids the use of very
large or very small numbers

For example
30 mega joules per kilogram rather than 30000000 joules per kilogram

For calculation purposes in equations, it is advisable to insert the unit symbol

in brackets after the numerical value

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1.3 Measurement units
• Notes of the use symbols and abbreviations
A unit symbol is the same for singular and plural

Full point should be used in multi-word abbreviation: for example, e.m.f., p.d.
In a compound unit symbol, the product of two units is preferably indicated
by a dot: for example N.m or Nm but not mN

Only one multiplying prefix should be applied to a given unit: for example,
picofarad(pF), not micromicrofarad (μμF).

A unit symbol should be used only after numerical value: for example, 5 kg,
10 A
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 THANK YOU

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