Dictionary · Instruments
Instrumental drift
A continuous or incremental change of an indication over time, due neither to a change in the quantity being measured nor to a recognized influence quantity — a key input to calibration-interval decisions.
Related terms
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Datum measurement error
The measurement error of an instrument or system at a specified measured value — the error quoted at a named point rather than over the whole interval.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.27
Variation due to an influence quantity
The difference in indication, or in the supplied quantity value of a material measure, when an influence quantity assumes two different specified values — the temperature coefficient on a datasheet is one of these.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.22
Zero error
The datum measurement error when the specified measured value is zero.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.28
Steady-state operating condition
An operating condition under which the relation established by calibration remains valid even though the measurand varies with time.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.8
Detection limit
The measured value, obtained by a given procedure, for which the probability of falsely claiming absence of a component is β, given a probability α of falsely claiming its presence — the statistically honest "smallest amount we can claim to see".
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.18
Rated operating condition
An operating condition that must be fulfilled during measurement for an instrument to perform as designed — the environmental and use envelope the specs assume.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.9