At the end of this lesson, student should be able to :

Explain the design and operation principles of electrostatic meter Explain the design and operation principles of thermocouple meter

Electrostatic meter

The other meter movements you have studied all react to current, the electrostatic meter movement reacts to voltage. The mechanism is based on the repulsion of like charges on the plates of a capacitor. The electrostatic meter movement is actually a large variable capacitor in which one set of plates is allowed to move. The movement of the plates is opposed by a spring attached to the plates. A pointer that indicates the value of the voltage is attached to these movable plates. As the voltage increases, the plates develop more torque. To develop sufficient torque, the plates must be large and closely spaced. A very high voltage is necessary to provide movement, therefore, electrostatic voltmeters are used only for HIGH VOLTAGE measurement. It can be used both for ac and dc measurement.

Thermocouple meter
Metal A TM Hot TR Cold

Metal B

VT

If the ends of two dissimilar metals are welded together and this junction is heated, a dc voltage is developed across the two open ends. The voltage developed depends on the material of which the wires are made and on the difference in temperature between the heated junction and the open ends. In one type of instrument, the junction is heated electrically by the flow of current through a heater element the heating effect is independent of current direction. The maximum current that can be measured depends on the current rating of the heater, the heat that the thermocouple can stand without being damaged, and on the current rating of the meter used with the thermocouple.