How do resolution, accuracy and repeatability differ?
Resolution, accuracy and repeatability describe different things. Resolution is the smallest step the display can show. Accuracy describes how far a measured value may differ from the actual value. Repeatability shows how similar repeated measurements of the same unchanged object are.
Resolution, accuracy and repeatability describe different things. Resolution is the smallest step the display can show. Accuracy describes how far a measured value may differ from the actual value. Repeatability shows how similar repeated measurements of the same unchanged object are.
An instrument can show almost the same value every time and still be systematically wrong. Likewise, a display with many decimal places is no proof of an especially accurate measurement. Think of a clock that runs consistently but is set several minutes wrong.
Some manufacturers quote typical errors, others maximum limits. These values can only be compared under similar test conditions. Accuracy can also depend on distance and the object’s surface. Measurement time, temperature and power supply may matter too. Weitschuss gives distances in metres / yards. Extra decimal places from conversion do not make the original reading more accurate.