Full Scale Accuracy Calculator

| Added in Physics

What is Full Scale Accuracy and Why Should You Care?

Full Scale Accuracy (FSA) measures a gauge's reliability as a percentage of its maximum operating range. It tells you how much you can trust readings across the entire scale.

Understanding this specification is essential for selecting appropriate measurement instruments and interpreting readings correctly in engineering and scientific applications.

How to Calculate Full Scale Accuracy

The formula for calculating full scale accuracy is:

[\text{FSA} = \frac{\text{Accuracy Percentage}}{100} \times \text{Full Scale Pressure}]

Where:

  • FSA is the full scale accuracy in the same units as pressure
  • Accuracy Percentage is the gauge's specified accuracy (%)
  • Full Scale Pressure is the maximum calibrated measurement

Calculation Example

Given:

  • Accuracy Percentage: 1.5%
  • Full Scale Pressure: 750 N/m²

Calculation:

[\text{FSA} = \frac{1.5}{100} \times 750 = 0.015 \times 750 = 11.25 \text{ N/m}^2]

The full scale accuracy is 11.25 N/m².

Quick Reference Table

Accuracy % Full Scale (N/m²) FSA (N/m²)
0.5 1000 5.00
1.0 750 7.50
1.5 750 11.25
2.0 500 10.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Full scale accuracy indicates the maximum error you can expect from a gauge across its entire measurement range. A smaller value means more reliable readings.

Understanding full scale accuracy helps you select appropriate instruments for your application and interpret readings correctly, especially for critical measurements.

Full scale accuracy applies across the entire range. At low readings, the percentage of error relative to the measured value is higher, making readings less reliable near zero.

Industrial pressure gauges typically have accuracies between 0.5 percent and 2 percent of full scale. Precision instruments can achieve 0.1 percent or better.