Nowadays, the use of instrumentation equipment in industrial places is mandatory and practical. Industrial devices and tools (electronic, electric and pneumatic) that are used for accurate control and measurement of physical values in various industries and factories, we call the equipment precision instruments. Stay with us to learn about measurement tools and terms.
Instrumentation terminology (40 precision instrument terms)
Use of instrumentation equipment and measuring instruments to determine actual conditions in a factory process as well as observation, measurement and control. Instrumentation Technicians will install, maintain and calibrate devices used in industrial process automation.
1. What is zero balance? (zero level)
Zero Balance represents the output of a transducer, when it is moving and in a situation where no work is applied to it, and is usually expressed as a percentage of the output.
2. Wheatstone Bridge Strain Gauge
Wheatstone bridge strain gauge is a type of electrical circuit that is widely used inside pressure transducers to convert mechanical stresses caused by input pressure changes into output electrical signals.
3. Total Error Band (TEB)
The Total Error Band is equal to the difference between the most negative and the most positive deviation from the actual pressure. In fact, it is a combination of all known errors for a pressure measuring device that are specified in a pressure measurement range and working temperature range.
4. Suction Pressure
Suction pressure is equal to the negative pressure difference created between two measurement points that causes the fluid (gas or liquid) to be drawn from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure.
5. Turn-down ratio or Rangeability
The turn-down ratio represents the difference between the highest and lowest possible output measurement range that can be set for a sensor device with an adjustable output signal such as a 4-20mA output that is HART enabled. Another term Turn-down is related to equipment whose output can be adjusted (can be changed) and shows how much the output can be adjusted.
6. cavitation
Cavitation is a phenomenon in which rapid changes in pressure in a liquid result in the formation of small voids filled with vapor in places where the pressure is relatively low. Usually, these holes coalesce and explode after moving to high-pressure points, creating a destructive wave in the system that can destroy pipelines and other equipment.
7. pressure surge
A water hammer is a pressure wave or destructive wave that usually occurs when a fluid (usually a liquid and sometimes a gas) suddenly stops or changes direction. This phenomenon usually occurs when a valve at the end of a pipeline is suddenly closed and a pressure wave spreads inside the pipe.
8. Pressure spike
Pressure fluctuations or pressure pulses are caused by very rapid increases or decreases in pressure. If the transmission speed is too fast, it can damage the pressure sensor. Pressure increase occurs due to water hammer. There is always a pressure surge when using pressure sensors, especially in applications where pumps or high-speed valves operate.
9. Line Pressure
Line pressure is an instrumentation term that equals the maximum pressure that can be applied to two pressure ports simultaneously. In other words, it indicates the maximum allowable pressure applied to a differential pressure transmitter.
10. Flow Rate
Flow rate represents the volume of fluid that passes through a certain point in a unit of time. It is usually displayed with the symbol Q and its unit in the SI unit is equal to cubic meters per second (m3/s).
11. Response Time
Response time is the time required for the output of a transducer or pressure transmitter to reach a certain percentage of the final output (relative to input pressure changes).
12. Aggressive Media
Corrosive fluids are liquids or gases that can damage ordinary materials through continuous contact. Like all kinds of acids and also sea salt water. When the temperature and pressure of corrosive fluids are measured, the sensing element (diaphragm) in contact with the fluid must be made of strong materials such as Hastelloy, Tantalum or special plastics.
13. Repeatability
The measurement method, observer, test device or instrument, test conditions and place should be exactly the same and the tests should be done in a short time interval.
14.Precision
The difference between the results of several consecutive measurements is relative to each other, not relative to the actual value. The definitions of accuracy and precision are different from each other.
15. Accuracy
It is equal to the difference between the output signal of the pressure measuring device and the actual value of the input pressure. Since no measurement is 100% accurate, values are expressed as ± precision. The definition of accuracy and precision are different from each other.
16. Error Band
Error Band indicates the maximum deviation of the output values of a pressure transmitter or pressure transducer from a specified reference line or curve. It is usually shown as ±% of the output range (span output). The error band should be determined at least in two calibration cycles in order to confirm its repeatability.
17. Error
The error is equal to the algebraic difference between the measured value (as indicated by the pressure measuring equipment) and the actual value of the inlet pressure, usually expressed as a percentage of full orifice output (FSO).
18. IO-Link
IO-Link is an industrial communication network standard (IEC 61131-9), wired (or wireless), point-to-point, digital and two-way for connecting digital sensors and actuators to fieldbus or industrial Ethernet types. is used It aims to use a technological platform that allows the development and use of sensors and actuators that can provide a set of information for the economic optimization of automated industrial processes. IO-Link communication protocol includes communication ports, communication modes, data types and transmission speed. The ports are physically located on the Master and provide the necessary measures for connection with output equipment and bridge connection to Fieldbus (Fieldbus) or Ethernet (Ethernet). There are four communication modes that can be applied to the port connected to the terminal device: IO-Link, DI, DQ and Disabled.
19. IP69K rating
The German standard DIN 40050-9 extends the classification provided by IEC 60529 described in the IP section with a rating of IP69K for high pressure, high temperature and washing applications. Such equipment must not only be dustproof (IP6X), but also withstand high pressure and steam cleaning.
This standard is more widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
20. Ingress protection
IP protection classes are international standards that are used to classify the strength and resistance of enclosures against the entry of foreign bodies. The IP code always has two numbers. The first number indicates the level of resistance of the equipment against touching or the entry of foreign objects, and the second number indicates the degree of waterproofness of the equipment. A number of zero always means (no protection), so higher numbers indicate higher resistance.
21. PROFIBUS (Process Field Bus)
Profibus is a standard for field bus communication in industrial automation. And it was first promoted by BMBF (German Ministry of Education and Research) in 1989 and then used by Siemens. PROFIBUS is different from the PROFINET standard for industrial Ethernet. This protocol is published as part of the IEC 61158 standard. Globally, users can use Profibus as an international reference standard protocol, whose development aims to reduce costs, increase flexibility, reliability and orientation towards the future.
22.Highway Addressable Remote Trancducer (HART)
HART communication protocol is an open industrial automation protocol of analog + digital combination. The biggest advantage of this protocol is that it can communicate with analog host systems on 4-20mA current analog instrumentation loops by sharing a pair of wires. HART is used in process and instrumentation systems from small applications to very complex applications. The HART protocol is a good communication protocol for users who want to use a 4-20mA signal with an intelligent protocol.
23. Explosion Proof (EX)
Explosion-proof equipment means a device or sensor that is placed in a container that is resistant to explosion and flame, as well as the penetration of flammable materials. Equipment that has an explosion-proof certificate or approval can be safely installed in industrial environments that have a high risk of explosion (Zone0, Zone1, Zone2)
24. Intrinsically Safe (IS)
Intrinsically safe is an explosion prevention technique used to ensure the safe operation of electrical equipment in hazardous and potentially explosive areas. This method uses the technique of limiting the energy of the equipment to less than the energy required to initiate the explosion.
25. Full Scale Output (FSO)
Another instrument term is FSO. FSO stands for full output range and is equal to the difference between the high and low amplitude of the output electrical signal when the maximum and minimum input pressure (in range) is applied to the sensor.
26. Full Scale (FS)
It is the difference between the highest and the lowest measurable pressure point for a device and is a common term for defining parameters such as accuracy, errors and overpressure limits for devices that have a wide pressure range.
27. Calibration
The act of correcting the output of a transducer/transmitter to improve the accuracy of the output or checking and verifying the actual output against a specified specification. Diaphragm seal is a type of diaphragm for pressure measurement, whose function is to prevent direct contact of fluid with pressure measurement equipment. In this way, pressure measuring equipment is protected against harsh environments and corrosive, highly viscous and highly viscous fluids that have very high or very low temperatures.
28. Isolation Diaphragm
A separating membrane is used to separate the fluid on one side of the diaphragm from the other side while allowing the transmission of fluid pressure with minimal losses.
29. Vacuum
Vacuum in physics means the complete absence of matter, but in practice this does not happen in the most complete and best possible way. For technical applications, DIN 28400 Part 1 defines vacuum as a gas pressure of less than 300 mbar (less than the lowest atmospheric pressure available at Earth’s surface).
30. pressure unit in terms of bar (bar)
The bar is a unit of pressure, but it is not approved as part of the International System of Units (SI). The bar value is closer to atmospheric pressure and is often used to represent atmospheric pressure rather than the standard atmosphere (101325 pascal), which is the correct value used by the engineering community.
31. Pressure unit in Pascal (Pa)
The unit of pressure in pascal is the SI (International System of Units) unit for pressure. This unit is defined as one newton per square meter.
32. Pressure units in psia
Pounds per square inch (absolute) – indicates that the vacuum pressure measurement reference is absolute. The pressure expressed in psia units represents the atmospheric air pressure + the created pressure.
33. Pressure units in psig
The unit of pressure is pounds per square inch (gauge) – indicating that the reference for pressure measurement is atmospheric pressure.
34. Pressure units in psid
Pounds per square inch (differential) – represents the difference between two pressure points, one of which is considered as the reference point for pressure measurement.
35. Velocity Measurement Devices
Accurate measurement of fluid and gas velocity plays an essential role in improving performance and reducing costs in industries. Measuring devices include a variety of electromagnetic, mechanical or pressure sensors and are usually installed in flowmeters, manometers and pressure transmitters.
36. Volume Measurement Devices
Volume measuring devices are used to accurately measure the volume of liquids and gases. These devices may include a variety of sensors, transmitters, and volume meters, and are typically installed in various equipment such as distillation towers, storage tanks, and pipelines.
37. Temperature Measurement Devices
Temperature measurement equipment includes devices and sensors that are used to accurately measure temperature in various industries. These equipments include different types of thermocouples, resistances, thermostats, digital thermometers and contact thermometers.
38. Temperature setting device
A device used to regulate and control temperature in industrial and laboratory processes, such as ovens and autoclaves.
39. (PLC)
PLC stands for “Programmable Logic Controller” and literally means programmable logic controllers. Today in the industry, one of the most important parts are PLCs. These devices are actually an inseparable part of large industrial devices and one of the most important components of process control.
40. Filler
There are tools that are used to accurately measure the dimensions and more complex shapes such as the inside and outside of holes and grooves.