Presented By: Reena Singh

AC BRIDGE
An ac bridge consist of four arms of impedances, a source of excitation and a balance detector. Used for measurement of unknown impedances like inductance, capacitance, for storage factor,dissipation factor etc. It is also used in communication systems and in complex electronic circuits.

Basic Circuit Of an AC Bridge

CLASSIFICATION OF AC BRIDGES ON THE BASIS OF QUANTITIES THEY MEASURE

Measurement of Inductance Measurement of Capacitance Measurement of Frequency Measurement of Impedance

Measurement of Inductance
Maxwells Inductance Bridge Maxwells Inductance Capacitance Bridge Hays Bridge

Owens Bridge

Measurement of Capacitance
Schering Bridge

Measurement of Frequency
Wein Bridge

Measurement of Impedance
Q- Meter

MAXWELLS INDUCTANCE BRIDGE

Balanced Condition: Z1Z4=Z2Z3 Z1=R1 Z2=R2. Z3=[(R3+r) + j L3]. Z4=Rx + j Lx. Now put these values in the balanced condition as: R1(Rx+ j Lx) = R2[(R3+r) + j L3] R1Rx + j LxR1 = R2R3 + R2r + j R2L3
Comparing the real and imaginary parts both the sides. We get,

Lx= R2L3/R1 & Rx = R2 (R3+r)/R1

PHASOR DIAGRAM

ADVANTAGES
The balanced equation is independent of frequency of measurement. The balanced equation is independent of losses associated with inductance. The scale of resistance can be calibrated to measure the inductance directly.

DISADVANTAGES
It can not be used for the measurement of high values of Q. The bridge balance equations are independent of frequency but practically the properties of coil under test vary with frequency which can cause error.