Newnes Radio and RF Engineering Pocket Book, 3rd Edition

20 Instrumentation

20.1 Accuracy, resolution and stability

All measurements are subject to error and two instruments applied to

the same piece of equipment under test may give a different answer.

Tolerances must therefore be accepted. The errors arise from the fol-

lowing sources:

1. Human error, e.g. precision in reading a scale, use of incorrect

instrument or range setting for the purpose.

2. The accuracy to which the instrument is able to display the result

of a measurement or, in the case of a generator, the frequency or

output level.

3. Accuracy of calibration.

4. Tolerances in the components used in the construction of the instru-

ment. Variations ...