Uncertainty Measurements

UNCERTAINTY MEASUREMENT IN RESISTOR VALUE
Introduction:
A measurement tells us about the property or state of the thing. It defines us how heavy, or how hot, or
how long the object is. Measurement gives the magnitude of that property. We take measurements by
using some kind of measuring instruments. Rulers, stopwatches, weighing scales, multimeters and
thermometers, these all are measuring instruments. Measurements are the part of some kind of research
which lead to some results.
The uncertainty of a measurement

defines the quality of measurement. Uncertainty is basically a doubt which you may have about the
result of any measurement. You might think that the measuring instruments are giving you a right
result. But the fact is, there always exists the margin of doubt.
Error and uncertainty: Error and uncertainty, these two terms are confusing. Let’s explain these
terms. “Error is basically the difference between the measured value and original value of the thing
which is to be measured”.
On the other hand, “Uncertainty is the magnitude of the doubt about the measurement”.
Causes of Uncertainty:
Any error whose value is unknown could be the main source of uncertainty.
However, the uncertainties can come from:
1) The measuring instruments: Systematic error can occur.

2) The item which is to be measured: May not be stable.
3) The measurement processes: The measurement itself may be difficult to make.
Uncertainty Estimates:
There are two types of measurement uncertainty estimation:
1) Type-A Uncertainty Estimate

2) Type-B Uncertainty Estimate
Type-A Uncertainty Estimate: The type-A uncertainties usually caused by the random error.
Uncertainty estimates which can be obtained as the standard deviation of the repeated measurements.
Type-B Uncertainty Estimate: The type-B uncertainties usually caused by the systematic error
(limitation of measuring instrument). If uncertainty estimation took place by means other than the
statistical analysis, it will be the type-B uncertainty estimation[ CITATION htt201 \l 1033 ].
Experiment for the measurement of uncertainty in resistor value:
Objective: Aim of this experiment is to measure the uncertainty in resistor value and learn how to
evaluate the effects of averaging on uncertainties in an efficient way.
Conditions Applied: The value of unknown resistor is measured in consecutive repetitions under
the varying situations. Measurements show deviation. So, uncertainty calculations are carried out on
sample data points.
Equipment:
The following apparatus has been used:
 Digital Multimeter: Digital Multimeter is a measuring tool which is

used to measure two or more electrical values. Specifically, Current
(Amps), Voltage (Volts) and Resistance (Ohm).
 Resistor with unknown value: A resistor is a two-port passive

electrical element which offers the opposition in the path of the current
flow. Resistors of different values and ratings are available in market.
 Different sets of probes: A probe is a physical device which is used to connect electrical
measuring instrument with the under-test unit.
Plan implemented:
 A resistor of unknown value is considered.
 Probes was connected to the ports of Digital-Multimeter.
 Then, terminals of resistor were connected with the probes.
 Digital-Multimeter was calibrated to give the resistance value.
 Resistor value was calculated many times by the help of digital-multimeter under various
conditions.
 Total 50 samples were taken on different time period. These samples ware further divided into
two sets for the ease of calculation (mentioned in excel sheet).
 The minimum value of resistor which was measured: 2902 Ohm
 The minimum value of resistor which was measured: 3100 Ohm
 This difference leads to the uncertainty in measurement.
Data Collected:
The whole data is mentioned in excel file.
Uncertainty Metrics:
1. Mean ¿):
First of all, Mean or average value of collected data was measured. This simply gives the
provisional value and rough estimate about the exact value of resistor.
Mean is defined as:
n
∑ xi
μ= i=1
n
The mean was calculated Figure 1: Samples Collected (all the calculations are mentioned
in Excel file) = 2994.72 Ω
2. Residual:
After calculating the mean, Residual was calculated which is the difference between sample
value and mean.
residual=xi −μ , for i=1,2 , … , n
Residual for each data point is defined in excel file.

3. Standard Deviation:
In the next step, S.D was calculated by using the residual.
Standard Deviation is defined as:
n
σ=
√
Where,
∑ (x i−μ)2
i=1
n−1
x i=Result of ith iteration
n=no . of samples
And
μ= Mean of n results
Standard Deviation was calculated as: σ =55.484
4. Standard Uncertainty (s):

Standard uncertainty is the estimated standard deviation and calculated as:
s=55.484
5. Degree of Freedom:
Degree of freedom is the no. of values that have freedom to vary and calculated as:
υ=n−1=49
6. Coverage Factor:
The coverage factor of k = 2 was selected as it defines a confidence level of approximately 95%.
7. Expected Uncertainty:
Expected uncertainty is defined as:
ES=k∗s
Where,
k = Coverage Factor
s = Standard Uncertainty
Expected Uncertainty was calculated as:

ES=111.5237
8. Variance:
Variance measures how far data is roll out.
Variance is defined as:
n
∑ (x i−μ)2
σ 2= i=0
n
Variance calculated as: 3078.5216
9. Standard Error:
Standard Error was calculated as:
σ
S . E= =7.846683
√n
Where,
σ =St . Deviation
n=No. of samples
10. Uncertainty in measure of uncertainty u(s):

This function calculated as:
s
u ( s )= =0.560
√2v
This result is helpful in determining the definite value of variable under deliberation.
Error Sources involved in this experiment:
Multiple sources provide error to make uncertainty occur during the experiment:
 Environmental factors (Different artifacts)

 Calibration issue of DMM and variation of voltage batteries which was delivering the power to
DMM.
 So, we noted that both types of error were found in this experiment.
Conclusion:
We have concluded that no measurement is said to be ideal. Uncertainty in measurements lead to error.
Measurement uncertainty helps to find whether the difference between two values is negligible or not.
This experiment reveals, what are the efficient conditions for measuring process. Measurement of
uncertainty explains:
 Estimated value of variable under test (UT)

 Approximate causes of uncertainty
 What corrective measure should be taken during measurement to eliminate the
uncertainty[ CITATION htt202 \l 1033 ].
Works Cited
[1] "https://sisu.ut.ee," [Online]. Available: https://sisu.ut.ee/measurement/33-and-b-type-uncertainty-

estimates#:~:text=Uncertainty%20estimates%20obtained%20as%20standard,called%20B%20type
%20uncertainty%20estimates.. [Accessed 29 10 2020].
[2] "https://www.isobudgets.com," [Online]. Available: https://www.isobudgets.com/why-measurement-

uncertainty-is-important/#:~:text=Improving%20quality%20is%20the%20key,the%20need%20to
%20measure%20quality.. [Accessed 29 10 2020].

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UNCERTAINTY MEASUREMENT IN RESISTOR VALUE

The uncertainty of a measurement

However, the uncertainties can come from:

1) The measuring instruments: Systematic error can occur.

1) Type-A Uncertainty Estimate

Experiment for the measurement of uncertainty in resistor value:

 Digital Multimeter: Digital Multimeter is a measuring tool which is

 Resistor with unknown value: A resistor is a two-port passive

Residual for each data point is defined in excel file.

x i=Result of ith iteration

Standard Deviation was calculated as: σ =55.484

4. Standard Uncertainty (s):

Expected Uncertainty was calculated as:

Variance calculated as: 3078.5216

10. Uncertainty in measure of uncertainty u(s):

 Environmental factors (Different artifacts)

 Estimated value of variable under test (UT)

[1] "https://sisu.ut.ee," [Online]. Available: https://sisu.ut.ee/measurement/33-and-b-type-uncertainty-

[2] "https://www.isobudgets.com," [Online]. Available: https://www.isobudgets.com/why-measurement-

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