false reading
Gauge showing wrong
A false reading is an inaccurate measurement or indication from an instrument, gauge, or sensor.
The thermometer may show a fever that isn't there; the fuel gauge may suggest a full tank when it's nearly empty.
False readings result from equipment malfunction, interference, or improper calibration.
The smoke detector gave a false reading when steam from the shower triggered it.
- errorFault in communication
- glitchMinor system fault
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- inaccurateNot correct or precise
- gaugeStandard of measurement
meter · distortion · calibration · phantom · ghost · red herring · artifact · noise · interference · faulty · misleading · deceptive · sensor · dial · spike · anomaly · misinterpretation · skewed
- misjudgmentsmisjudgment, mistake, error, blunder, miscalculation
- misunderstandingmisunderstand, misinterpret, miscommunication, misconception, misconstrue
- misunderstandingsmisunderstanding, misinterpretation, misconception, miscommunication, confusion