2 AC BRIDGES

2a MAXWELL’S INDUCTANCE – CAPACITANCE BRIDGE

AIM
To find the value of unknown inductance using a Maxwell’s inductance bridge.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
1 Maxwell’s inductance Bridge kit
2 Decade inductance box (Unknown inductance)
3 Multimeter
FORMULA USED
LX = R1 R3 C
Q = ω LX / RX
THEORY
Maxwell’s Inductance – Capacitance Bridge is used to measure unknown inductances in terms of
calibrated resistance and capacitance. Calibration-grade inductors are more difficult to manufacture than
capacitors of similar precision, and so the use of a simple "symmetrical" inductance bridge is not always
practical. Because the phase shifts of inductors and capacitors are exactly opposite each other,
capacitive impedance can balance out inductive impedance if they are located in opposite legs of a
bridge, as they are here.
Another advantage of using a Maxwell bridge to measure inductance rather than a symmetrical
inductance bridge is the elimination of measurement error due to mutual inductance between two
inductors. Magnetic fields can be difficult to shield, and even a small amount of coupling between coils in
a bridge can introduce substantial errors in certain conditions. With no second inductor to react with in the
Maxwell bridge, this problem is eliminated.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Sri Krishna College of Engineering & Technology, Coimbatore - 8
PROCEDURE:
i) Patch up the connections as shown in the circuit diagram
ii) Connect the unknown inductance at the Lx (unknown) point and switch on the power supply.
iii) Now vary the resistance R2 to some value.
iv) Now select the point where you can hear least sound possible at R3.
v) Now vary R1 and R2 to the point where you can hear least sound possible or no sound at
all.
vi) Remove patching and note down the readings according to the table given below and
calculate the value of unknown inductance using the formula given.
vii) Now connect some other value of inductance and carry on the experiment for different
values.

TABULATION:
C=0.1µF
Calculated
S. Actual Value
R1 (Ohms) R2 (Ohms) R3 (Ohms) Value Q Factor % Error
No (mH)
Lx (mH)

MODEL GRAPH

Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Sri Krishna College of Engineering & Technology, Coimbatore - 8
 2b SCHERING BRIDGE

AIM
To measure the unknown value of capacitance using Schering Bridge.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

S.No Equipment Range Quantity

1 Schering Bridge kit - 1

2 Decade Capacitance Box - 1
3 Multimeter - 1
4 CRO 3 MHz 1
5 Patch cords - Few

FORMULA USED

THEORY

A Schering bridge balances with component capacitance and its series resistance. Capacitance C1 is a
standard capacitor, selected with a range switch and producing an opposition ratio with R2 that balances
with the unknown capacitance CX. RX is the unknown resistance connected in series with unknown
capacitance. DRB R2 is calibrated in units of capacitance and is used in conjunction with C2 for reactive
balance. The combination of C2 and R1 balances the resistive component of the capacitor.
PROCEDURE

1. Give the connections as per the circuit diagram shown.

2. Switch on the power supply.
3. Connect the unknown resistance r1 unknown capacitance C1. The bridge becomes unbalanced.

4. Balance the bridge by varying the values of C 2 and R2 by using decade capacitance and decade
resistance box respectively and note down the values of C2 and R2.
5. Calculate the value of unknown resistance RX and unknown capacitance CX by using the given
formula and tabulate it.
6. Repeat the steps 3 to 5 for different values of unknown resistances and capacitances.

Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Sri Krishna College of Engineering & Technology, Coimbatore - 8
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

TABLUBATION

Theoretical Value Practical Value

S.No R3 (K Ω) R4 (K Ω)
C1 (µF) C1 (µF)
1
2
.
.
.

MODEL GRAPH

Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Sri Krishna College of Engineering & Technology, Coimbatore - 8