MEASUREMENTS AND

INSTRUMENTATION
ELE 4101
LECTURE III
Lecturer: Jomo N. Gill

DETERMINING Rm
The meter resistance Rm can be determined
using the following methods:
- Meter calibrator method
- Full-scale deflection method

 contd
THE METER CALIBRATOR METHOD
The meter calibrator places a controlled and
calibrated current to the meter under test.
When the current is adjusted for full-scale
deflection, the voltage across the meter
terminals is measured, and the resistance is
determined by applying Ohm's Law.
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 contd
THE FULL-SCALE DEFLECTION METHOD
This process is illustrated via the Figures
below.

 contd
- RA is a current limiter
- Vs is increased until the meter reaches full
scale. Vs is noted.
- A pot is then placed across the meter and
adjusted until the meter current is just less
than half full-scale.
- Vs is doubled, and the pot is adjusted until
the current in the meter approaches fullscale.

 contd
- The meter resistance and RB are now the
same.
- Vs is turned off and RB is measured to
determine the internal resistance of the
meter.

CLASSWORK
Worked example on Rshunt.

MULTI-RANGE AMMETERS
A multiple range ammeter is shown in the
Figure.

 contd
Drawback:
- When the rotary switch is between ranges,
the resulting open circuit in the shunt path
causes all the current to flow through the
meter, which could be disastrous.
Practical solution:
- Use an Ayrton arrangement
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IN-CIRCUIT SETUP
- Ammeters are placed in series with other
circuit elements.
- We should always start measurements with
the highest range.
Ammeters
should
have
negligible
resistance, in order to minimise loading
effects.
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