Parasitic phenomena affecting measurements - Rules for generators and multimeters

This article is largely based on the publication dealing with the subject of measurement disturbances, which appeared in Techniques de l'Ingénieur in 1979 [R 1 065] , and covers all aspects of the problem.

Having said this, it should be noted that supplements concerning the application of the rules to the use of multimeters and generators have also been published. .

But technology has evolved, and nowadays low-frequency metrology laboratories mainly use generators, multimeters or direct-reading instruments. The use of measuring bridges assembled by the metrologist has all but disappeared.

Numerous feedbacks have shown that, in a significant proportion of cases, the necessary precautions to avoid measurement disturbance are not taken. The aim of this article is to raise metrologists' awareness of this problem, and help them reduce the influence of disturbances.