What Are Meter Measuring Instruments?
A meter measuring instrument is a device that measures and displays force, speed, temperature, quantity, etc.
Types of Measuring Instruments
The following is a list of some of the most common types of measuring instruments:
1. Pressure Gauge
This is an instrument to measure the pressure of a fluid or the pressure enclosed in a tank. Since pressure is an important item related to work force, pressure gauges are installed in all types of equipment.
2. Velocimeter
Velocimeters measure the speed at which objects move. It is installed in many vehicles such as automobiles and trains. They are also used in professional baseball games to measure the speed of a pitcher’s throw.
3. Thermometer
A thermometer is a device that measures the temperature of objects, water, air, etc. Thermometers are also installed in equipment that requires temperature control, such as washing machines.
4. Flowmeter
A flowmeter is a device that measures the amount of fluid that flows. For example, in an air blowing process where dirt is blown off with the force of air, a flowmeter is installed to confirm that the specified amount of air is being discharged.
Analog and Digital Measuring Instruments
Measuring instruments can be broadly classified into analog and digital measuring instruments (hereafter: analog meters and digital meters). The differences and the advantages and disadvantages of each are described below.
The main difference between analog and digital meters is whether they require a power supply or not. Analog meters do not require a power supply, while digital meters do. There is also a difference in the way the measured value is displayed. Analog meters use a needle to point to a numerical value, while digital meters display the measured value as a number.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Analog Meters
The advantage of analog meters is that they do not require a power supply and are easy to install. Also, since the daily inspection uses a needle to indicate numerical values, it can be completed by color-coding the range of standard values and confirming that the needle is within the range, allowing for instantaneous judgment of good or bad.
The disadvantages of analog meters are that it takes time to read the value indicated by the needle when reading an accurate value, and if the needle is between the scales, the measured value may vary for some people. Also, even if an abnormal value is indicated, the abnormality cannot be detected until the measuring instrument is visually inspected.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Meters
The advantage of digital meters is that since most of the devices emit signals, when an abnormality is detected, an abnormality can be immediately confirmed by sending an abnormality signal to the facility and sounding an alarm. In addition, since the measured values are displayed numerically, accurate values can be read instantly.
The disadvantage of a digital meter is that it is impossible to judge whether a measured value is normal or abnormal unless a reference value is displayed nearby. They also require a power supply, which requires wiring, and may need to be programmed to convert abnormal signals into alarms.