5502A
Operators Manual
A-6
repeatability
The degree of agreement among independent measurements of a quantity under the same
conditions.
resistance
A property of a conductor that finds the amount of current that will flow when a given
amount of voltage exists across the conductor. Resistance is measured in ohms. One ohm
is the resistance through which one volt of potential will cause one ampere of current to
flow.
resolution
The smallest change in quantity that can be sensed by a measurement system or device.
For a given parameter, resolution is the smallest increment that can be measured,
generated, or shown.
rf (radio frequency)
The frequency range of radio waves; from 150 kHz to the infrared range.
rms (root-mean-square)
The value given to an ac voltage or current that ends in the same power dissipation in a
resistance as a dc current or voltage of equal value.
rms sensor
A device that changes ac voltage to dc voltage with very good accuracy. RMS sensors
operate by measuring the heat caused by a voltage through a known resistance (i.e.,
power). They sense true rms voltage.
resistance temperature detector (RTD)
A resistance device that gives a proportional resistance output for a temperature of the
device. Most RTDs are characterized by their resistance at 0
°
C, called the ice point. The
most common ice point is 100
Ω
at 0
°
C. The curve of resistance vs. temperature can be
one of several: pt385 (0.00385 ohms/ohm/
°
C) and pt3926 (0.003926 ohms/ohm/
°
C) are
examples.
scale
The absolute span of the reading range of a measurement device that includes overrange
capability.
scale error
Same as gain error. Scale or gain error results when the slope of the meter’s response
curve is not exactly 1. A meter with only scale error (no offset or linearity error), will
read 0V with 0V applied, but something other than 10V with 10V applied.
secondary standard
A standard maintained by comparison against a primary standard.
sensitivity
The degree of response of a measuring device to the change in input quantity, or a figure
of merit that expresses the ability of a measurement system or device to respond to an
input quantity.
shield
A grounded covering device that is made to protect a circuit or cable from
electromagnetic interference.
SI System of Units
The accepted International System of Units. See also “units,” “base units,” and “derived
units.”
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