FINAL DATA SHEET

Experiment 1: Familiarization with electrical measuring instruments

P_LI_L
2

Table 1.1 Measured Data

Trials
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

I
15
15.09
15.04
15.05
15.02
15.06
15.06
15.05
15.05
15.08

P
0.24
0.05
0.24
0.26
0.22
0.27
0.21
0.32
0.23
0.05

Given

RL
1000
4862
903
901
1142
896
1117
756
1002
4470

937.5
4311.43
940
860
1014.86
836.67
1075.71
716.67
970.97
4188.89

937.5
4081.63
937.5
848.98
1004.38
833.33
1071.43
725.62
957.34
3858.02

937.5
4554.16
937.5
871.16
1030.93
840.01
1080.02
707.82
984.79
4548.13

0.015
0.017
0.017
0.013
0.017
0.013
0.02
0.015

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
PART A.
IT =
RT = 4.4
VM = IT * RT = 0.044 V
PART B.
RT = 2003
VT = 10V
IM =
Voltmeter Sensitivity = RT/VT = 2003 /10V = 200.3 /V
PART C.

For Trial 1:

Given RL = 1000
VL = 15V
IL =
PL = VL * IL = (15V)(

) = 0.24

DISCUSSION
There are specific measuring instruments used in studying electric circuits.
Each instrument has its own function and procedures on how to operate. In the
early 1880s, Jacques DArsonval and Marcel Deprez invented the first kind of
ammeter the DArsonval galvanometer. It is a versatile analog instrument used
in detecting and in measuring a small amount of current in the circuit.
Galvanometer is the name given to a moving coil electric current detector. When
a current is passed through a coil in a magnetic field, the coil experiences a
torque proportional to the current. If the coils movement is opposed by a coil
spring, then the amount of deflection of a needle attached to the coil may be
proportional to the current passing through the coil. Such meter movements
were at the heart of the moving coil meters such as voltmeters and ammeters
until they were largely replaced with solid state meters. The accuracy of moving
coil meters is dependent upon having a uniform and constant magnetic field.
In 1886, Edward Weston produced a practical precision, direct reading,
and portable instrument to accurately measure electric current, a device which
became the basis for voltmeter, ammeter, and wattmeter.
An ammeter is an instrument for measuring the electric current in
amperes in a branch of an electric circuit. It must be placed in series with the
measured branch, and must have very low resistance to avoid significant
alteration of the current it is to measure. By contrast, a voltmeter must be
connected in parallel. So far, there are four kinds of ammeter the DArsonval
galvanometer which measure direct current from 0.1% to 2.0%; the
electrodynamic ammeter which uses a moving coil rotating in the field produced
by a fixed coil and measure alternating current with accuracies from 0.1% to
25%; the thermal ammeter wherein the measure current heats a thermo
converter (thermocouple), and measure alternating current from 0.5% to 3%; and
the digital ammeter which uses a circuit such as the dual slope integrator to
convert a measured analog (continuous) current to its digital equivalent and
have accuracies better than 0.1%.
A voltmeter measures the change in voltage between two points in an
electric circuit and therefore must be connected in parallel with the portion of
the circuit on which the measurement is made. Its resistance is very high, so it
diverts a minimal amount of current away from the intended path through the
circuit element. Technically, voltmeter is an ammeter, but using Ohms law, the
amperes could be scaled up to voltages.

In this experiment, the basics on electrical circuits must be understood

first. In order to do so, the functions of the basic electric circuit training kit
were needed to be familiarized and the proper connection must be learned.
The experiment is divided into three parts. In the first part
experiment, the different characteristics of an analog ammeter were
determined. For the second part, the different characteristics of an
voltmeter were to be determined and last part focuses on the usage of
circuit trainer kit.

of the
to be
analog
a basic

The first part of the experiment is concerned with the determination and
observation of the different characteristics on an analog ammeter. The first thing
that the group did was to measure the input resistance of an analog ammeter
across the input terminals by using a VOM. The group was able to measure a
4.4 resistance across the ammeter. After then, the group was able to compute
for the voltage VM that will cause full deflection by multiplying the input
resistance RT by the full scale reading of the ammeter IT. The value of the
voltage is 0.044V. The group used 10x10-3A as current. In this part of the
experiment, the group can say that the ammeter really possess and should
always possess a very small value of resistance.
The second part of the experiment, the group is to determine the
different characteristics of an analog voltmeter. This was done by measuring the
input resistance of an analog voltmeter across the input terminals by using a
VOM. The input resistance measured is 2003 . By dividing the full scale voltage
reading of the voltmeter by the input resistance of the meter, the group was
able to get the current which is 4.99x10-4 Adc. The Voltmeter sensitivity was also
computed through the reciprocal of the current and the value is 200.3. The
voltmeter is a high resistance instrument so that it does not draw appreciable
current from the circuit and this was observed in this part of the experiment
since the value for the input resistance that the group got was high. The
voltmeter sensitivity shows how efficient and effective the voltmeter is. As the
voltmeter sensitivity increases, the better and more effective the voltmeter that is
used.
The last part focuses on the usage of a basic circuit trainer kit.
so, the group was tasked to assemble and measure the corresponding
the current and voltage in the circuit. The group used different resistors
supplied. Although the individual resistances of the resistors are

In doing
value of
that are
already

indicated by the respective color codes, the group still measured the resistance
by using the VOM. The resulting voltage readings for every trial does not differ
that much and with an average of 15.05V. The group found out that the reading
in the VOM is somehow deviated by the amount of tolerance each resistor
possesses. The only varying factor is the current which depends on voltage and
resistance of the circuit.

CONCLUSION
In this experiment, the students are asked to determine the characteristics
and the proper connection of common electrical measuring devices, to learn
how to read measurements of basic electrical measuring devices and to be
familiar with the functions of the basic electric circuit training kit (EEC471-2 and
EEC470) and to learn their proper connection.
In the experiment, the group found out that meters are not supposed to
alter the behavior of the circuit, or at least not significantly. For that reason, the
voltmeter has a high resistance so as to minimize the amount of current being
drawn from the current while the ammeter on the other hand has parallel
resistors of very small value to shunt most of the current away so as not to
affect the flow of current throughout the series. Ammeter must be places in
series with the measured branch and by contrast, a voltmeter must be
connected in parallel. Since the purpose of the voltmeter is to measure the
voltage across a load, it has to be in parallel with that element so that they will
share the same amount of voltage. In order to extend the range of the
voltmeter that it can measure, resistors are placed inside it and is connected in
series with the basic meter. It will affect the voltage but not the current.
The group was also able to know one important practice in the laboratory
and it is to be able to carry out the proper way of connecting the terminals of
different elements in a circuit. The ammeter for example, has several terminals
depending on the range of the current to be measured. It is a must to always
start with the highest range of the current to the lower range until the
acceptable measurement is acquired.
Instrumental errors are inherent in measuring instruments because of their
mechanical structure. For example, the irregular spring tensions, stretching of the
spring or reduction in tension due to improper handling or over loading of the
instruments or not calibrated instruments. Errors due to human mistakes in
reading or in using instruments or errors on recording observations are also a
factor which could affect the measurements of quantity. There are also errors
that are caused by the habits or individual observers. For example, an observer
may introduce an error by holding his head too far to the left while reading a
needle and scale reading. Complete elimination of gross errors is not possible,
but one can minimize them.

The group concludes that in a given linear circuit containing a resistor, the
amount of current being drawn by the resistor is inversely proportional to the
total resistance of the resistor when the voltage source is constant. Like what is
stated in Ohms law, by increasing the resistance of the resistor, the current
flowing in the circuit is decreased. The group also concludes that familiarization
with the different electrical measuring instruments is necessary in order for the
students to fully understand the succeeding experiments.

ANSWER TO QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1.

Describe the type of meter movement used in analog meters.

The first meter movements built were known as galvanometers. A very simple
galvanometer may be made from a magnetized needle suspended from a
string, positioned within a coil of wire. Current through the wire coil will
produce a magnetic field which will deflect the needle from pointing in the
direction of earths magnetic field.

2.

What device is used to extend the range of a DC ammeter and how is it

connected to the basic meter?
Direct current instrument shunts (DC Shunts) are used to extend the range
of ammeters whenever the current to be measured is too large to be
passed through the instrument usually currents over 50 amperes. Shunts
are used not only to extend the range of instruments, but also where low
current must be applied to the metering panel. The shunt resistor of an
ammeter is usually encased within the protective metal housing of the meter
unit, hidden from sight. Proper installation of a shunt is important in
maintaining its accuracy. For Bus-Type shunts, it is intended to be installed
in the bas bar structure. For Portable-Type shunts, it should have an
insulating base which can be fastened to any flat surface.

3.

What device is used to extend the range of a DC voltmeter and how is it

connected to the basic meter?
A resistor is added on the circuits to extend the range of DC voltmeter. It
will then affect the voltage in the voltmeter but not the current. By adding a
resistor with the same resistance with the voltmeter, the range will be
doubled. This device is sometimes called the multiplier resistor.

4.

Why is it necessary that an ammeter be low resistance instrument? Why

must a voltmeter be a high resistance instrument?
Meters are not supposed to alter the behavior of the circuit, or at least not
significantly. The voltmeter is a high resistance instrument so that it does
not draw appreciable current from the circuit. A series resistor limits the
current. The ammeter has a parallel resistor of very small value to shunt
most of the current away from the sensitive current measuring element. It

must carry the total current of

appreciable voltage drop.
5.

the circuit to be measured

without

What type of basic meter is configured as a wattmeter?

A wattmeter measures power. Since power is the product of Voltage and
Current ( P = V*I ), if we have a voltmeter and an ammeter available, these
basic meters can be configured to measure power. The ammeter will be
connected in series to the circuit element while the voltmeter is connected
in parallel to the circuit element.

6.

Two 150V voltmeters are being compared; meter A has 5K/V while meter B
has a total meter resistance of 750K. Which is the more sensitive meter?
Why?
The sensitivity of a voltmeter is determined by dividing the total resistance
of the voltmeter by the full scale voltage reading of the voltmeter. Since
Meter B has a resistance of 750k, dividing it by 150V will result to a
sensitivity if 5k/V, which is equal to the sensitivity of Meter A. Therefore,
both 150V voltmeters have the same sensitivity.

7.

What current is required for full scale deflection of a galvanometer having a

current sensitivity of 50A per scale division? The meter has exactly 50
divisions on either side of the mid-scale index.
Sensitivity:
Division:

50
division

k 50divisions

Current required for full-scale deflection:

50
division

8.

What potential difference appears across the galvanometer described in

problem 6 when the pointer is fully deflected? The meter resistance is 10.
Internal resistance: RM 10

Voltmeter sensitivity:

Current that will cause full scale deflection:

I m d 1 (5k / V ) 1 0.2 10 3 A
Potential difference:

VT I m Rm (0.2 10 3 )(10)

9.

Determine the series resistance needed to convert a galvanometer to a

voltmeter reading 15V on full scale deflection if a current of 2.5mA causes
full scale deflection and the resistance of the coil is 10.
Voltage for full-scale deflection:

VT 15V

Current for full-scale deflection:

I M 2.5m 2.5 10 3

Internal Resistance:

RM 10

Series resistance multiplier:

VT I m ( RS Rm )

RS

VT
15V
Rm
10
Im
2.5 10 3

10. Determine the shunt resistance needed to convert a galvanometer to an

ammeter with a full scale reading of 10A if the scale requires 2.5mA to
cause full deflection with a coil resistance of 10.
Small current to cause full scale deflection:
Current at full scale deflection:
Resistance of the basic meter:

I T 10
RM 10

Shunt resistance:

Im

Rsh
IT
Rsh Rm

Rsh

Im
2.5 10 3 A
10
Rm
IT I m
10 2.5 10 3 A

Rsh 2.50 10 3 2.5m

I M 2.5m 2.5 10 3 A