Flow meter error
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In flow measurement, flow meter error is typically reported by a percentage indicating non linearity of the device. This can be expressed as either a +/- percentage based on either the full range capacity of the device or as a percentage of the actual indicated flow.
Accuracy of full scale
If a meter’s accuracy is based on a percentage of its full reading capability, the error is a fixed value. For example; an error of 0.5% of full scale, in a 100-gallon per minute (gpm) device is +/- 0.5 gpm. This is the uncertainty all of the time, so as you move away from the full scale capability, the 0.5 gpm error becomes a much larger percentage. At 50 gpm, you are risking a 1% error. At 10 gpm you have a potential 5% error.
comment 1: The labels in the figure are regrettably reversed. I would recommend to correct it. comment 2: Inaccuracy of full scale has only some commercial meaning. Inaccuracy of reading has the physical meaning. comment 3: If the inaccuracy is e.g. 0.5 % than the accuracy is 99.5 %. Don't mix both! comment 4: The word "Error" has been abandoned for some time now. "Deviation" is the more adequate word in use nowadays. If the meter has an error you recycle it.
Accuracy of reading
If the device has an error expressed as a percentage of the actual flow, then a 0.5% error of 10 gpm is only +/-0.05 gpm; a 10 times better result.[1]
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