ErrorsandCalibration-PennStateMechanicalEngineering.pdfVIP

Errors and Calibration, Page 1 Errors and Calibration Author: John M. Cimbala, Penn State University Latest revision: 27 August 2009 Random vs. Systematic Errors • There are two general categories of error: systematic (or bias) errors and random (or precision ) errors. • Systematic errors (also called bias errors) are consistent, repeatable errors. For example, suppose the first two millimeters of a ruler are broken off, and the user is not aware of it. Everything he or she measures will be too short by two millimeters – a systematic error. • Random errors (also called precision errors ) are caused by a lack of repeatability in the output of the measuring system. The most common sign of random errors is scatter in the measured data. For example, background electrical noise often results in small random errors in the measured output. Systematic (or Bias) Errors • Systematic errors are consistent, repeatable errors in a set of measurements • The systematic error is defined as the average of measured values minus the true value. • Systematic errors arise for many reasons. Here are just a few: o calibration errors – perhaps due to nonlinearity or errors in the calibration method. o loading or intrusion errors – the sensor may actually change the very thing it is trying to measure. o spatial errors – these 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).