Instruments
• Analog Instruments
Classification of Measuring Instruments
• The instrument used for measuring the
physical and electrical quantities is known as
the measuring instrument.
• The measuring instrument categorised into
three types;
i. Electrical Instrument
ii. Electronic Instrument
iii. Mechanical Instrument
• The mechanical instrument uses for measuring the
physical quantities. This instrument is suitable for
measuring the static and stable condition because the
instrument is unable to give the response to the dynamic
condition.
• The electronic instrument has quick response time. The
instrument provides the quick response as compared to the
electrical and mechanical instrument.
• The electrical instrument is used for measuring electrical
quantities likes current, voltage, power, etc.
The ammeter, voltmeter, wattmeter are the examples of
the electrical measuring instrument.
• The ammeter measures the current in amps; voltmeter
measures voltage and Wattmeter are used for measuring
the power. The classification of the electric instruments
depends on the methods of representing the output
reading.
classification of instruments
Absolute Instrument
• The absolute instrument gives the value of measures
quantities regarding the physical constant. The physical
constant means the angle of deflection, degree and
meter constant. The mathematical calculation requires
for knowing the value of a physical constant.
• The tangent galvanometer is the examples of the
absolute instruments. In tangent galvanometer, the
magnitude of current passes through the coil
determines by the tangent of the angle of deflection of
their coil, the horizontal component of the earth
magnetic field, radius and the number of turns of wire
used. The most common applications of this type of
instrument are found in laboratories.
Secondary Instrument
• In the secondary instrument, the deflection
shows the magnitude of the measurable
quantities. The calibration of the instruments
with the standard instrument is essential for
the measurement. The output of this type of
device is directly obtained, and no
mathematical calculation requires for knowing
their value.
Digital Instrument
• The instrument whose output varies
continuously is known as the analogue
instrument. The analogue instrument has the
pointer which shows the magnitude of the
measurable quantities. The analogue device
classifies into two types
Null Type Instrument
• In this instrument, the zero or null deflection
indicates the magnitude of the measured
quantity. The instrument has high accuracy and
sensitivity. In null deflection instrument, the one
known and one unknown quantity use. When the
value of the known and the unknown measuring
quantities are equal, the pointer shows the zero
or null deflection. The null deflection
instrument is used in the potentiometer and in
galvanometer for obtaining the null point.
Deflection Type Instrument
• The instrument in which the value of
measuring quantity is determined through the
deflection of the pointer is known as the
deflection type instrument. The measuring
quantity deflects the pointer of the moving
system of the instrument which is fixed on the
calibrated scale. Thus, the magnitude of the
measured quantity is known.
The deflection type instrument is further sub-classified into
three types.
• Indicating Instrument – The instrument which indicates the magnitude of
the measured quantity is known as the indicating instrument. The
indicating instrument has the dial which moves on the graduated dial. The
voltmeter, ammeter, power factor meter are the examples of the
indicating instrument.
• Integrating Instrument – The instrument which measures the total energy
supplied at a particular interval of time is known as the integrating
instrument. The total energy measured by the instrument is the product
of the time and the measures electrical quantities. The energy meter,
watt-hour meter and the energy meter are the examples of integrating
instrument.
• Recording Instrument – The instrument records the circuit condition at a
particular interval of time is known as the recording instrument. The
moving system of the recording instrument carries a pen which lightly
touches on the paper sheet. The movement of the coil is traced on the
paper sheet. The curve drawn on the paper shows the variation in the
measurement of the electrical quantities.
• The response time of the electronic
instrument is very high as compared to the
electrical and mechanical device