Sensors, Instrumentation and Measurement

What this unit covers

The page mixes hands-on measurement with sensor theory. On the practical side, there are slide sets on analog and digital multimeters, plus the mind maps The Multimeter and Designing a Multimeter. On the theory side, you will find maps on transduction principles, temperature sensors, position measurement, vibration and acceleration, strain gauge measurements and image sensor performance.

Where to start

If you are new to the topic, begin with the multimeter material. The slide set on analog multimeters starts with the meter face, the scale and the pointer needle. The flashcard deck Lab S01 then checks basics such as meter types and resistors.

Next, move to the maps on Measurement Principles and Signal Conditioners. After that, try ADC and DAC and Staircase ADC for the step from analog signals to digital data.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read a mind map and note the branches you could not explain.
2. Take a quiz on the same area and see where you slip.
3. Return to the map for those branches, then try the flashcards.

The NCCER quiz on a dead 24VDC power supply is a good fault-finding test of multimeter reasoning. Red Seal Exam 2 adds binary, two's complement and Boolean logic. BSNL TTA ONLINE TEST - 4 Instruments and Measurements is another option for professional candidates.

Going further

The maps on high DC voltages and high currents cover resistance dividers, Hall generators, shunts and Rogowski coils. Others look at biosensors, acoustic waves for sensors, noise in measurement signals and virtual instrumentation.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Measurement, Control and Automation strand of Electrical and electronic engineering. Pick one resource that matches where you are now, work through it, then build your own maps and flashcards from what you find hard.