For anyone performing a measurement using a particular instrument, it usually matters to know whether the instrument is calibrated or not. Calibration is required, along with precision, to enable accurate measurements to be made. Calibration means observing the instrument’s performance … Read more
Category: Electrical & Electronics Measurements
Performing measurements in Electrical and Electronic systems: Power measurements, Microwave & RF measurements, Energy measurements, Fiber optics measurements, etc.
Oscilloscopes: Function, Features, Applications & Selection Guide
The Function of an Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is an electronic instrument that presents a graphical display of its input voltage as a function of time. It is important to note that oscilloscopes only measure voltages not currents or resistances however … Read more
Pulse Generator: Function, Operation & Applications
The Function of a Pulse Generator
A pulse generator is an electronic instrument used to generate pulses for use in different types of electronic applications. Pulse generators are mainly utilized for production of pulses that are used to test applications … Read more
Function Generator: Features & Applications
Features of Function Generators
A function generator is a signal source that can produce different types of waveforms as its output signal. The most common output waveforms are: sine waves, square waves and triangular waves. Furthermore, some function generators also … Read more
How to Calibrate an AC Ammeter & an AC Voltmeter
An instrument calibration is performed by comparing its reading with that of a more accurate instrument when both instruments are measuring the same quantity. In this case, the more accurate instrument is employed as a standard for comparison purposes. To … Read more
The Principle of Operation of an Induction Potentiometer
An induction potentiometer is a rotary type linear-variable inductor with two concentrated windings wound on the stator and on the rotor as illustrated in the figure below:
The rotor windings are excited with an AC, inducing voltage … Read more
The Principle of Operation of a Digital Frequency Meter
A frequency meter/counter is a digital instrument that can measure and display the frequency of any periodic waveform. Its operation is based on the principle of gating the unknown input signal into the counter for a predetermined time. For instance, … Read more
Basic Elements of an Electronic Instrument
An electronic instrument is made up of the following key elements:
- Transducer
- Signal modifier
- Indicating device
Transducer
This is the first sensing element and is needed only when measuring a non-electrical quantity such as … Read more
Electrical vs. Electronic Instruments
Despite the fact that both electrical and electronic instruments measure electrical quantities like voltage and current, they differ from each other in terms of the built-in features; for example, purely electrical instruments don’t possess any in-built amplifying device to increase … Read more
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
The commonly employed technique for analysing the state of a fibre optic is to test it with an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). The OTDR uses backscattered light of the fibre to imply loss. The OTDR works is similar way … Read more