Faculty Electric and Electronic

Engineering
BEE 2191

Lab 1
Title: Error in Experimental Data

Lecturer:
Dr. Ignatius Agung Wibowo
En. Tatang Mulyana

Kee Pei Wuen AE070200 2 BEP

Janifal Alipal AE070281 2BER
 1. Objective

To investigate sources of error in measurements and to apply the equations

provided to analyze the error.

2. Theory

Error is defined as the deviation of a reading (or set of reading) from the expected
value of the measure variable. There are three types of error which are gross error,
systematic error and random error.
Gross error is the fault of the person using the instruments, due such things as
incorrect reading of instrument, incorrect readings of experimental data. Systematic
errors occur because the measurement system affected the measured quantity. For
example, measurements error will occur if the accuracy of an instrument has not been
checked for some time, that is, if the instrument has not been calibrated. Random error is
defined as the error besides gross and systematic errors.
When making measurements, some error is inevitable as no measurement can
yield the exact value of any quantity. There are several sources of error in any
experimental data. When analyzing experimental data, one of the primary concerns is the
sources of error and the extent to which the error has affected the validity of data.

This experiment consists of 2 parts:

Part 1 is concerned with error introduced by component tolerances. While there are other
sources of error in your data, such as instrument errors, the experimental data will be
treated as through the only sources of error is due to variations in resistance values due to
manufacturing tolerances.

Part 2 involves error in reading, which may be classified as gross error or observational
error. The instructor will provide a single resistor of unknown value Rx., each student, in
turn measure and records on a piece of paper, the value of the resistor. All reading should
be made with the same ohmmeter. Students not disclose the measurement to their
classmates until all measurements are recorded.

The following equations are used in performing this experiment:

2.1 Rave = (R1+R2+…+Rn)/n

2.2 Range of error = ((Rmax-Rave)+(R ave -Rmin))/2

2.3 Percent of error= ((Rave-Rx)/Rx) *100%

Where Rx = actual value of the resistor

Rave= average value of the resistor
Rb=Ra * ((Eo)/(Ein-Eo))

Ra
Ein

2.0k
Eo Rb Voltmeter

Figure 1: Circuit for experiment 1.

3.0 Data and Analysis

3.1 Data Table for Experiment Part 1

Rb Values Eo Rb Average Range of Percent of

(kΩ) (V) Error Error
1.955 14.9
1.955 14.9
1.955 14.8
1.958 14.9
1.954 14.9 1.9554 kΩ 3.5Ω -2.23%
1.956 15.0
1.956 14.9
1.954 15.0
1.952 15.0
1.959 14.9

Rb Average =

(1.955+1.955+1.955+1.958+1.954+1.956+1.956+1.954+1.952+1.959)/10

= 1.9554 kΩ
Range of Error = ((Rmax-Rave) +(R ave -Rmin))/2
= ((1.959-1.952) + (1.9554-1.952))/2
= 3.5 Ω

Percent of error = ((Rave-Rx)/Rx) *100%

= ((1.9554-2.00)/2.00)* 100%
= - 2.23%

3.2 Data Table for Experiment Part 2

Rx Values Actual Value Rx Average Range of Percent of

(kΩ) of Rx Error Error
1.95
1.92
1.90
1.90
1.91 1.959 kΩ 1.920 kΩ 0.025 Ω -1.99 %
1.93
1.94
1.91
1.92
1.92

Rx Average =

(1.95+1.92+1.90+1.90+1.91+1.93+1.94+1.91+1.92+1.92)/10

= 985.5 Ω

Range of Error = ((Rmax-Rave) +(R ave -Rmin))/2

= ((1.95-1.920) + (1.920-1.90))/2
= 0.025 kΩ

Percent of error= ((Rave-Rx)/Rx) *100%

= ((1.920-1.959)/1.959)* 100%
= -1.99 %
Analysis

Part 1

The experiment is about error due to component tolerance. The decade resistor is used to
adjust the value of the input voltage until the output is exactly 15 V. Ein are fix for the
next experiment but decade resistor is replace with 2.0 kΩ resistors. So, the actual value
of resistor or Rb value is 2.0 kΩ.

The value of Rb from the calculation is range 1.95 kΩ until 2.15 kΩ. It is because the
value of Eo is range 14.8 V until 15.0 V. If the value of Eo is lower than 15V, the value of
resistor is more higher than actual value of resistor, 2.0 kΩ.
Therefore, the values obtained are not the same with actual value with large percentage of
error. The percentage of error is -2.23%.

Part 2

This experiment is about error in reading. A same resistor is measured by 2 different

student using the ohmmeter- analogue. The actual value of resistor is 1.959 kΩ measured
by digital Ohmmeter. From the analogue, the values of the resistor are range from 1.90
kΩ till 1.95 kΩ. In this experiment, have 3 of exact value is got.Range of error was
calculated to find the minimum and maximum limit for the instrument to operate
correctly. The range of error is 0.025 kΩ. The average value of resistor is 1,920 kΩ.
Because the average is lower than actual value, the percentage of error is negative, -
1.99%.

Conclusion

After completed the experiment, we could conclude that measurement is critical

in evaluating quality and safety. Correct methods of measurement together with the use of
the appropriate instrument and environmental condition determine the reliability of the
measurement data.
There are several types of error occur when conducting an experiment which
involve the measurement process. The error occurred cannot be avoided because some
error is due to the supply voltage, a brief draft upon equipment and the quality of the
component used.
There are some methods used to reduce the measurement error. Before conducting
the experiment, all the analog instruments need to be checked to make sure pointers are
shown zero. The data is then analyzed by calculating arithmetic mean value to minimize
the effects of random errors because some of the data is not accurate by calculating their
average values. For data that have a large range, calculation of deviation is more suitable.
From the deviation values, there are two quantities obtain, variance and standard
deviation.
Reference

1. Ignatius, Agung Wibowo, Tatang, Mulyana, & etc. (2008). Electrical &
Electronic, Instruments & Measurement UTHM.
2. David A.Bell (1930). Electronic Instruments and Measurement (2nd Edition).
Prentice Hall.
3. D.H. Albert & D.C. William. Modern Electric Instrumentation and Measurement
Technique. Prentice Hall.