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Chapter 2: DC Meters: 2.1 Basic Principle of Analog Meter
Chapter 2: DC Meters: 2.1 Basic Principle of Analog Meter
CHAPTER 2 : DC METERS
This permanent magnet moving coil meter movement is the basic movement in most
analog (meter with a pointer indicator hand) measuring instruments. It is commonly called
d'Arsonval movement because it was first employed by the Frenchman d'Arsonval in making
electrical measurements.
This type of meter movement is a current measuring device which is used in the
ammeter, voltmeter, and ohmmeter. Basically, both the ammeter and the voltmeter are current
measuring instruments, the principal difference being the method in which they are connected
in a circuit. While an ohmmeter is also basically a current measuring instrument, it differs from
the ammeter and voltmeter in that it provides its own source of power and contains other
auxiliary circuits.
The compass and conducting wire meter can be considered a fixed-conductor moving-magnet
device since the compass is, in reality, a magnet that is allowed to move. The basic principle of
this device is the interaction of magnetic fields: the field of the compass (a permanent magnet)
and the field around the conductor (a simple electromagnet).
A permanent-magnet moving-coil movement is based upon a fixed permanent magnet
and a coil of wire which is able to move, as in figure 2.2. When the switch is closed, causing
current through the coil, the coil will have a magnetic field which will react to the magnetic field
of the permanent magnet. The bottom portion of the coil will be the north pole of this
electromagnet. Since opposite poles attract, the coil will move to the position shown in figure
2.3.
Figure 2.2 : A movable coil in a magnetic Figure 2.3. : A movable coil in a magnetic
field (with current). field (no current).
The coil of wire is wound on an aluminum frame, or bobbin, and the bobbin is
supported by jeweled bearings which allow it to move freely. This is shown in figure 2.4. To use
this permanent-magnet moving-coil device as a meter, two problems must be solved. First, a
way must be found to return the coil to its original position when there is no current through
the coil. Second, a method is needed to indicate the amount of coil movement. The first problem
is solved by the use of hairsprings attached to each end of the coil as shown in figure 2.5. These
hairsprings can also be used to make the electrical connections to the coil.
Figure 2.4. : A basic coil arrangement. Figure 2.5. : Coil and hairsprings.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 3
With the use of hairsprings, the coil will return to its initial position when there is no
current. The springs will also tend to resist the movement of the coil when there is current
through the coil. When the attraction between the magnetic fields (from the permanent magnet
and the coil) is exactly equal to the force of the hairsprings, the coil will stop moving toward the
magnet.
As the current through the coil increases, the magnetic field generated around the coil
increases. The stronger the magnetic field around the coil, the farther the coil will move. This is
a good basis for a meter. But, how will you know how far the coil moves? If a pointer is
attached to the coil and extended out to a scale, the pointer will move as the coil moves, and the
scale can be marked to indicate the amount of current through the coil. This is shown in figure
2.6.
Two other features are used to increase the accuracy and efficiency of this meter
movement. First, an iron core is placed inside the coil to concentrate the magnetic fields.
Second, curved pole pieces are attached to the magnet to ensure the turning force on a coil
increases steadily as the current increases. These same curved pole pieces are found in a motor.
It has been mentioned that interaction between the induced field and the field produced by the
permanent magnet causes a deflecting torque, which results in rotation of the coil. Deflection
torque is controlling torque controls the deflection and tries to stop the pointer at its final
position. But due to inertia, the pointer oscillates around its final position before coming to rest.
Hence damping torque is provided to avoid this oscillation and bring the pointer quickly to its
final position.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 4
Thus the damping torque is never greater than the controlling torque. In fact it is the condition
of critical damping which is sufficient to enable the pointer rising quickly to its deflected
position without overshooting.
Where
B = flux density in Wb/m2 (Tesla)
I = current (A).
N = number of turns of the coils.
A = area ( length X wide), (m2).
Example 1:
Given frame of permanent moving coil is 6m2. The number of winding around coil is 50 and
flux 0.12 wb/m2. If 1mA current through the coil, calculate the deflection torque.
Solution
Td = BINA
= (0.12 wb/m2)( 1mA)(50)(6m2)
= 36mNm
2.1.5 Damping
A problem that is created by the use of a rectifier and d’Arsonval meter movement is that the
pointer will vibrate (oscillate) around the average value indication. In physics, damping is any
effect that tends to reduce the amplitude of oscillations in an oscillatory system, particularly the
harmonic oscillator.
This oscillation will make the meter difficult to read. The process of "smoothing out" the
oscillation of the pointer is known as DAMPING. There are two basic techniques used to damp
the pointer of a d’Arsonval meter movement.
i. The first method of damping comes from the d’Arsonval meter movement itself. In the
d’Arsonval meter movement, current through the coil causes the coil to move in the
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 5
magnetic field of the permanent magnet. This movement of the coil (conductor) through
a magnetic field causes a current to be induced in the coil opposite to the current that
caused the movement of the coil. This induced current will act to damp oscillations. In
addition to this method of damping, which comes from the movement itself, most
meters use a second method of damping.
ii. The second method of damping used in most meter movements is an airtight chamber
containing a vane (like a windmill vane) attached to the coil.
As the coil moves, the vane moves within the airtight chamber. The action of the vane against
the air in the chamber opposes the coil movement and damps the oscillations.
1. Periodic, in which the pointer oscillates about the final position before coming to rest.
2. Aperiodic, in which the pointer comes to rest without overshooting the rest position.
The point of change between periodic and aperiodic damping is called "critical
damping." An instrument is considered to be critically damped when overshoot is
present but does not exceed an amount equal to one half the rated accuracy of the
instrument.
A problem that is created by the use of a rectifier and d’Arsonval meter movement is that the
pointer will vibrate (oscillate) around the average value indication. This oscillation will make
the meter difficult to read. The value of the damping ratio ζ determines the behavior of the
system. A damped harmonic oscillator can be:
i. Critical damping (ζ = 1)
When ζ = 1, there is a double root γ (defined above), which is real. The system is said to
be critically damped. A critically damped system converges to zero faster than any
other, and without oscillating. An example of critical damping is the door closer seen on
many hinged doors in public buildings. The recoil mechanisms in most guns are also
critically damped so that they return to their original position, after the recoil due to
firing, in the least possible time.
natural frequency and the damping ratio. To continue the analogy, an underdamped
door closer would close quickly, but would hit the door frame with significant velocity,
or would oscillate in the case of a swinging door.
b. Liquid damping
Similar principle as air damping only the vane moves in a liquid chamber with a
proper concentration.
This can cause a circulating flow of electrons, or a current, within the body of the
conductor. These circulating eddies of current create induced magnetic fields
that oppose the change of the original magnetic field due to Lenz's law, causing
repulsive or drag forces between the conductor and the magnet.
The stronger the applied magnetic field, or the greater the electrical conductivity
of the conductor, or the faster the field that the conductor is exposed to changes,
then the greater the currents that are developed and the greater the opposing
field.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 8
2.2 DC VOLTMETER
A basic d’Arsonval movement can be converted into dc voltmeter by adding in series resistor
multiplier as shown in figure 2.9.
Current in series;
IS = IM (Equation 2.2)
V = IM (RS + RM)
= IM RS + IMRM (Equation 2.3)
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 9
(Equation 2.4)
Exercise 2
Solution:
= 500Ω
= 50 uA
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 10
R1 R2
Rm
V1 V2
+
Im
(Equation 2.5)
Exercise 3
Convert a basic D’ Arsonval movement with an internal resistance of 100Ω and a full scale
deflection current of 1mA into a multirange dc voltmeter with voltage ranges of 0-15V and 0-
50V.
Solution
i. Range 0 – 15V
= 15KΩ
Ω
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 11
"#
Ω
! $ %Ω
When a voltmeter is used to measure the voltage across a circuit component, the voltmeter
circuit itself is in parallel with the circuit component. Total resistance will decrease, so the
voltage across component will also decrease. This is called voltmeter loading. The resulting
error is called a loading error. The voltmeter loading can be reduced by using a high sensitivity
voltmeter.
The exercise below can show the loading effect when using voltmeter with two value
sensitivity.
Exercise 4
R1 = 200KΩ
200 R2 = 50KΩ v
Find the voltage across the resistor 50KΩ as shown in figure above if using
a. Voltmeter with sensitivity 1000Ω/V
b. Voltmeter with sensitivity 20000Ω/V
Solution
= 40 V
R voltmeter
R1 = 200KΩ
Req = ------------------
R2 selari dengan Rin
R1 = 200KΩ 012
./
3 12
0
200V ./
Req = 25KΩ 3
./ -Ω
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 13
&45
Voltage across Req, *
&45 )&(
,
,)++, *-
$$ $$V
=9:>;?@:!7:7A
6789:9;9:< *
C
=9:>?B:;?@:!7:7A
----
*
C
"
C
C C
"""C
"""C
R voltmeter
R1 = 200KΩ
012
./
E 12
200V Req = 47.62KΩ
0
./
E
./ "FG-Ω
So, the reading at voltmeter is
&45
Voltage across Req, *
&45 )&(
"FG-
*-
"FG- E -
%H IV
=9:>;?@:!7:7A
6789:9;9:< *
C
=9:>?B:;?@:!7:7A
JK"G
*
C
"
I C
= JKC
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 15
2.3 DC AMMETER
The PMMC galvanometer constitutes the basic movement of a dc ammeter. The coil winding of
a basic movement is small and light, so it can carry only very small currents. The PMMC can
use to build an ammeter with connected the shunt resistor and meter in parallel. A low value
resistor (shunt resistor) is used in DC ammeter to measure large current. Basic DC ammeter:
I IM RM
ISH
RSH
&
L & (Equation 2.8)
&
L
L (Equation 2.9)
&
L (Equation 2.10)
MN
L
Therefore
&
L (Equation 2.11)
O
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 16
Exercise 5
A 1mA meter movement with an internal resistance of 100Ω is to be converted into a 0-100 mA.
Calculate the value of shunt resistance required.
Solution
L
!
Ω
L
!
!
= 1.01Ω
The range of the dc ammeter is extended X by a number of shunts, selected by a range switch.
The resistors are placed in parallel to give different current ranges. Switch S (multiposition
switch) protects the meter movement from being damage during range changing.
a. Individual Shunts
I IM RM
ISH
RSH1
S RSH2
RSH3
RSH4
&
L O (Equation 2.12)
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 17
b. Ayrton Shunt
Julat
10mA R2 RSHT
RM = 50Ω
IM = 2 mA
Julat R1 RSH1
100mA
# To calculate the total shunt resistor, determine from the lowest range.
&
RSHT = (….. + Rn + R2 + R1) = O
(Equation 2.15)
P&MNQ )& R
L
(Equation 2.16)
Exercise 6
Refer the circuit above, calculate shunt resistor ( R1 and R2) when using range - 10mA and
100mA.
Solution
To find total shunt resistor use the lowest range – 10mA.
+Ω
RSHT = (R2 + R1) =
+O
= 12.5Ω.
L
-Ω
-Ω
$ $Ω
2.4 OHMMETER
The PMMC can change to be ohmmeter with connected voltage source and limited current
resistor in series. The type of Ohmmeter is series ohmmeter and parallel ohmmeter. The
purpose of an ohmmeter is to measure the resistance placed between its leads. This resistance
reading is indicated through a mechanical meter movement which operates on electric current.
R1 Rm
A
R1 = Limited Current Resistor
R2 = Zero Adjust Resistor V Rx
Rx = unknown Resistance R2
Rm = Meter Resistance
B
Figure 2.14 : Individual Series Ohmmeter circuit.
0Ω ∞Ω
When Rx connected;
& &
S ( )& )&T )&'
(Equation 2.17)
U P E E R
(Equation 2.18)
Exercise 7
Given PMMC with resistance 100Ω was using in series ohmmeter. R1 = 500Ω, R2 = 400Ω and
supply voltage = 10V. When connected with Rx, the reading shows 0.5mA. Find the value of Rx.
Solution
R1 = 500Ω
A
Rm = 100Ω
10V Rx
R2 = 400Ω
B
U P E E R
U P E
E "R
!
V Ω
0
W
E - E X (Equation 2.19)
- X
YC , the ratio between current reading when Rx is connected and full scale
ZM
current.
\] - 0X
[
where
E
&Q - EX
Vin
[
0
E -E X
B - X
(Equation 2.20)
B
12 0
U E
[
E
(Equation 2.21)
Exercise 8
R1
A
Movement meter have 100µA FSD.
Rm Assume R1 + R2 + Rm = 15KΩ
1.5V Rx
R2
B
Solution
a) &
Q
&
( )&' )&T )&
,^)+^
__`abc
b) At ½ FSD = ½ X 100µA
= 50µA.
U P E E R
+d
At ¼ FSD = ¼ X 100µA
= 25µA.
U P E E R
d
"
At ¾ FSD = ¾ X 100µA
= 75µA.
U P E E R
ed
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 22
R1 R2
I Ix A
Im
V Rx
B
Figure 2.16 : Individual Shunt Ohmmeter circuit.
U
U U
&
U (Equation 2.22)
O
R1
I A
+ IM
Vin Rx
S1 RM
-
B
Figure 2.17 : Operation of Shunt Ohmmeter.
S1 is using for cut-off the battery (Vin) when not using the circuit.
When Rx = 0 ( AB terminal short), no current in circuit and the pointer is mark as 0 ohm.
When Rx = infinity (AB terminal open), the current (IM) in circuit is maximum. Adjust R1 until
the meter movement is full scale, and the pointer is mark as ∞Ω (Infinity).
∞Ω 0Ω
Example 9
R1 = 4.5KΩ
Ix A
I = 5µA State the ohmmeter scale when the
Im current is 0A, ½ FSD, ¼ FSD and FSD
V Rx
Rm = 500Ω
B
Solution
&
At 0A scale, U
O
+P++^R
U
PO+Rd
dP++^R
At ½ FSD, U PORd
dP++^R
At ¼ FSD, U PORd
GGF
dP++^R
At FSD, U PORd
f
2.4.4 Function
Scale starts with infinity at left Scale starts with zero at left side
side and zero at right side and infinity at right side
ϖ 0
R1
0 ϖ
R1 A
A
-
R R2
m E R
When point A short B, Rx=0 (Maximum current
m
flows in circuit) so R2 is adjusted for pointer E B
B
pointing at Rm zero position (which means
current only flow through Rm). Normally it
When point A short B, Rx=0 (No current flows
known as 'Zero Adjusted'.
in meter) so R1 is adjusted to pointing at zero
position. Normally it known as 'Zero
Adjusted'.
R1
A A
R Open Open
R2 E R circuit
m circuit
m
E B
When point A-B open, Rx=infinity (No current When point A-B open, Rx=infinity (Maximum
flows in circuit) so pointer is pointing to infinity current flows in meter) so pointer is pointing
position. to infinity position.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 25
R1 A R1 A
R R2 Rx
E R B
m m
E B B
When point A-B connecting to unknown Rx to
-When point A-B connecting to unknown Rx
measure resistance value, pointer will point to a
to measure resistance value, pointer will point
certain value proportional to resistance value.
to a certain value proportional to resistance
value.
Check the setting of the range switch and choose an appropriate scale.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 27
Sensitivity of meter
Sensitivity is define as the he accuracy with which a meter can measure a voltage, current,
resistance, or other quantity.
Multimeters must have a high sensitivity of at least 20k /V otherwise their resistance on
DC voltage ranges may be too low to avoid u upsetting
psetting the circuit under test and giving an
incorrect reading. To obtain valid readings the meter resistance should be at least 10 times the
circuit resistance (take this to be the highest resistor value near where the meter is connected).
If you are buying an analogue multimeter make sure it has a high sensitivity of 20k
/V or greater on DC voltage ranges, anything less is not suitable for electronics. The sensitivity
is normally marked in a corner of the scale, ignore the lower AC value (sensitivity on AC ranges
is less important), the higher DC value is the critical one. Beware of cheap analogue multimeters
sold for electrical work on cars because their sensitivity is likely to be too low.
Analogue
nalogue meters take a little power from the circuit under tes testt to operate their pointer.
They must have a high sensitivity of at least 20k /V or they may upset the circuit under test
and give an incorrect reading.
ii. Hold the meter probes together and adjust the control on the front of the meter
which is usually labeled "0 ADJ" until the pointer reads zero (on the RIGHT
remember!). If you can't adjust it to read zero, the battery inside the meter needs
replacing.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 28
i. Select a range with a maximum greater than you expect the reading to be.
ii. Connect the meter, making sure the leads are the correct way round.
Digital meters can be safely connected in reverse, but an analogue meter may be
damaged.
iii. If the reading goes off the scale: immediately disconnect and select a higher
range.
SELECTOR SWITCH
Note that the block diagram divides the instrument into three major sections:
3) The DISPLAY section consist of four LEDs, analog control, decoder driver. The output
from Digital IC are in binary number, will past through BCD (Binary Coded Decimal). and
decoder driver where the measured value displayed decimal value.
2. Measuring current using digital multimeter . The steps are the same as analogue
multimeter, but Digital meters can be safely connected in reverse, but an analogue meter
may be damaged.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 30
ii. Touch the meter probes together and check that the meter reads zero.
If it doesn't read zero, turn the switch to 'Set Zero' if your meter has this and try
again.
1. An
n analogue multimeter used scale on moving coil meter to indicate the measured
value while a digital multimeter used LEDs Display to display the measured value.
1. The sensitivity of analogue multimeter depends on the voltage ranges. All digital
meters contain a battery to power the display so they use virtua
virtually
lly no power from
the circuit under test. This means that on their DC voltage ranges they have a very
high resistance (usually called input impedance) of 1M or more, usually 10M ,
and they are very unlikely to affect the circuit under test.
2. When measuring voltage using digital multimeter. The steps are the same as
analogue multimeter, but Digital meters can be safely connected in reverse, but an
analogue meter may be damaged.
3. When measuring current using digital multimeter. The steps are the same as
analogue multimeter, but Digital meters can be safely connected in reverse, but an
analogue meter may be damaged.
EE 101 MEASUREMENT DC Meter / 31
As with other meters, the incorrect use of a multimeter could cause injury or damage.
The following safety precautions are the MINIMUM for using a multimeter.