Rectifier Ammeter

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June 25, 2018

The meter is generally used for measuring the particular quantity. The unit of
current is ampere, and the meter which measures the current is known as
the ammeter. The rectifier ammeter uses the moving coil along with the
rectifier for measuring the current. The main use of the rectifier is to convert
the alternating current into the direct current.

The rectifier ammeter consists the four rectifier elements which arrange in
the form of the bridge along with the moving coil ammeter. The circuit
diagram of the bridge rectifier elements is shown in the figure below.

In DC moving coil instrument the shunt is used for protecting the moving
instrument from the heavy current. But in case of rectifier ammeter, the use
of the shunt is not possible because the current passing through the moving
coil instrument varies continuously because of the rectifier resistance.

Advantages of the Rectifier Ammeter

The advantages of the rectifier ammeter are explained below in details.
 1. The frequency range of the instrument can easily be extended from
20Hz to high audio frequency.
2. The instrument requires very low operating current.
3. It has the uniform scale.
4. The accuracy of the instrument lies between ±5% under normal
operating condition.

Factors Affecting the Performance of the Rectifier Ammeter

The following are the factors which affect the performance of the rectifier
ammeter.

1. The waveform of the current and voltage affects the working of the
rectifier instrument.
2. The element of the rectifier has some resistance which affects the
performance of the instrument.
3. The variable temperature also affects the working of the instrument.
4. The rectifier has some capacitance and this capacitance effects the
operation of the instrument.
5. The instrument has low sensitivity for ac as compared to dc.

The small size transformer is used in the instrument because of the low
burden.