Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Distance Learning Programmes Division

Second Semester 2006-2007
Mid-Semester Test (EC-1 Regular)
Course No.
Course Title
Nature of Exam
Weightage
Duration
Date of Exam
Note:
1.
2.
3.
4.

: ET ZC341
: INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL
: Closed Book
: 40%
No. of Pages
=1
: 2 Hours
No. of Questions = 6
: 03/02/2007 (AN)

Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
Mobile phones and computers of any kind should not be brought inside the examination hall.
Use of any unfair means will result in severe disciplinary action.

Q.1.

The resistance of a thermistor at temperature K is given by R ( ) = K exp( ) . Given

that the resistance at ice point ( = 273.15 K) is 9.00 k and the resistance at the steam
point is 0.50 k, find the resistance at 25C.
[5]

Q.2.

What is the percentage non-linearity error with a potentiometer of resistance 550 which
results from there being a load of resistance 10 k when it is at a displacement which is
half its maximum slider travel and the supply voltage is 10V dc?
[5]

Q.3.

A force sensor has a mass of 0.5 kg, stiffness of 2.35 x 102 N/m and a damping constant of
6.0 N s/m.
(a) Calculate the steady-state sensitivity, natural frequency and damping ratio for the
sensor.
(b) Calculate the displacement of the sensor for a steady input force of 3 N.
(c) If the input force is suddenly increased from 2 to 3 N, derive an expression for the
resulting displacement of the sensor.
[3 + 2 + 3 = 7]

Q.4.

A platinum resistance thermometer has a resistance at 0C of 123 and forms one arm of
a Wheatstone bridge. At this temperature the bridge is balanced with each of the other
arms also being 123 . The temperature coefficient of resistance of the platinum is
0.0039/C. What will be the output voltage for change in temperature of 30C if the
instrument used to measure it can be assumed to have infinite resistance and the supply
voltage, with negligible internal resistance, for the bridge is 9.0 V dc?
[7]

Q.5.

A variable reluctance sensor consists of a core, variable air gap and an armature. The core
is a steel rod of diameter 1 cm, relative permeability 100 bent to form a semi circle of
diameter 4 cm. A coil of 550 turns is wound onto the core. The armature is a steel plate of
thickness 0.6 cm and relative permeability 100. Assuming the relative permeability of air
= 1.0 and the permeability of free space = 4 x 107 H/m, calculate the inductance of the
sensor for air gaps of 1 mm and 3 mm.
[8]

Q.6.

Explain the following with the help of suitable examples:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Hysteresis
Accuracy and Precision
Range and Span
Repeatability and Reproducibility

*********

[2 x 4 = 8]