There are two categories of measurement errors: systematic errors, which are consistent and repeatable, and random errors, which produce inconsistent scatter in measurements. Systematic errors can be caused by calibration issues, loading effects, defective equipment, or human biases. Random errors result from unpredictable fluctuations and limit measurement precision. Sources of error also include zero offset, nonlinearity, sensitivity problems, finite resolution, environmental factors, and issues with reading techniques, instrument loading, supports, dirt, vibrations, metallurgy, contacts, deflection, looseness, gauge wear, location, contact quality, and stylus impression. Careful consideration of error sources is important for obtaining accurate measurements.

1. Measurements and
Sources of Errors
VIKASH KUMAR
B.TECH (MECH)

2. Measurement
 Measurement is the process of determining or finding
the size, quantity or degree of something .
 The principle dimensional measurement is length;
secondary measurement is angle and curvature. You
can describe shape without describing size, but not the
reverse.
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3. SI Units
Measured Quantity Units Symbol
Length Meter m
Mass Kilogram Kg
Time Second s
Temperature Kelvin K
Electrical Current Ampere A
Quantity of substance Mole mol
Luminosity Candela Cd
Plane angle Radian rd

4. Measurement Methods
 Methods of measurement:
1. Direct method. compare the quantity directly
with the primary or secondary standard.
2. Indirect method.
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5. Measuring Instruments Types
 Measuring Instruments Types:
1. Angle measuring Instruments: e.g. Angle
gauges; Divided scales; Sine bar with slip gauges;
Autocollimator; and Tool Maker Microscope.
2. Length measuring Instruments: ex: Steel
rule; Caliper; Micrometer; and comparators.
3. Instruments for surface finish: surface
roughness measurements.
4. Instruments for deviations: Coordinate
Measuring Machine (CMM).
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6. Measurements Errors
 Measurements Errors :
Is the difference between the true value of the size
and the value found by measurement.
 Errors pertains to measurement not to an instrument.
Error = True Size – Actual Size
 True Size: is the theoretical size obtained through
measurement. This type of size is free from any
type of error. It is the guide for measuring many
properties such as accuracy of an instrument.
 Actual Size: is a measured size with permissible
error. It refers to the minimum acceptable size of
a sample.
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7. Measurements Errors (cont.)
 There are two general categories of error: systematic (or bias) errors and
random (or precision) errors.
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8. Systematic Errors
 Systematic errors (also called bias errors)
They are consistent, repeatable errors. For
example, suppose the first two
millimeters of a ruler are worn off, and
the user is not aware of it. Everything he
or she measures will be too short by two
millimeters – a systematic error.
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9. Systematic Errors Sources
Systematic errors arise for many reasons. Here are just a few:
 Calibration Errors: due to nonlinearity or errors in the calibration
method.
 Loading or Intrusion Errors: the sensor may actually change the
very thing it is trying to measure.
 Spatial Errors: arise when a quantity varies in space, but a
measurement is taken only at one location (e.g. temperature in a
room - usually the top of a room is warmer than the bottom).
 Human Errors: arise if a person consistently reads a scale on the
low side, for example.
 Defective Equipment Errors: arise if the instrument consistently
reads too high or too low due to some internal problem or
damage.
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10. Random Errors
 Random errors
They are unrepeatable, inconsistent
errors, resulting in scatter in the
output data.
The random error of one data point is
defined as the reading minus the
average of readings.
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11. Other Sources of Errors
There are many other errors, which all have technical names,
as defined here:
 Zero Error: The instrument does not read zero when the
input is zero. Zero error is a type of bias error that offsets
all measurements taken by the instrument, but can usually
be corrected by some kind of zero offset adjustment.
 Linearity Error: The output deviates from the calibrated
linear relationship between the input and the output.
Linearity error is a type of bias error, but unlike zero error,
the degree of error varies with the magnitude of the
reading.
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12. Other Sources of Errors
(Cont.)
 Sensitivity Error: The slope of the output vs.
input curve is not calibrated exactly in the
first place. Since this affects all readings by
the instrument, this is a type of systematic or
bias error.
 Resolution Error: The output precision is
limited to discrete steps (e.g., if one reads to
the nearest millimeter on a ruler, the
resolution error is around +/- 1 mm).
Resolution error is a type of random or
precision error.
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13. Other Sources of Errors
(Cont.)
 Environmental factors: Be aware of errors
introduced by your immediate working
environment. You may need to take account for or
protect your experiment from vibrations, drafts,
changes in temperature, electronic noise or other
effects from nearby apparatus.
 Reading Error: describes such factors as parallax,
interpolation, or optical resolution.
 Loading Error: results from the change of the
measurement instrument when it is being used.
 Effect of support.
 Dirt.
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14. Other Sources of Errors
(Cont.)
 Errors due to Vibrations.
 Metallurgical Effects.
 Contact Point Penetration.
 Errors due to Deflection.
 Errors due to Looseness.
 Errors due to Wear in Gauges.
 Errors due to Location.
 Errors due to Poor Contact.
 Errors due to Impression of Measuring
Stylus.
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16. THANK YOU
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