5TUTORIAL 2 DC METER

BEE 2123

P1

A PMMC instrument with a 300-turn coil has a 0.15 T magnetic flux density in its air gaps. The coil
dimensions are D = 1.25 cm and l = 2 cm. Calculate the torque when the coil current is 500 µA.

N= 300, B = 0.15 T , L= 2x10-2m, D= 1.25x10-2m, I = 500x10-6 A

T = BINLD= 0.15 T x 500x10-6 A x 300 x 2x10-2m x 1.25x10-2m =5.625 Nm

P2

A PMMC instrument has a 0.12 T magnetic flux density in its air gaps. The coil dimensions are D = 1.5
cm and l = 2.25 cm. Determine the number of coil turns required to give a torque of 4.5 µNm when the
coil current is 100 µA.

B = 0.12T , I = 100x10-6 A , L = 0.0225m , D = 0.015m, T = 4.5x10-6 Nm.

T = BINLD
N = T/BILD=4.5x10-6 Nm /(0.12T x 100x10-6 A x 0.0225m x = 0.015m) = 1111

P3

A PMMC instrument with a 750  coil resistance gives FSD with a 500 µA coil current. Determine the
required shunt resistance to convert the instrument into a dc ammeter with an FSD of (a) 50 mA (b) 30
mA.

Rm = 750 , Im(FSD) = 500 A

Rm
Im

Rs1

Rs2

(a) 50 mA ranges, Vm = Im Rm
= 500A x 750
= 375 x 10-3 V
Is = I – Im
= 50mA - 500A
= 49.5 x 10-3 A

Vm 375 x 10-3 V
Rs1 = --------- = ----------------
I – Im 49.5 x 10-3 A

= 7.576 

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(b) 30 mA ranges,

Is = I – Im
= 30mA - 500A
= 29.5 x 10-3 A

Vm 375 x 10-3 V
Rs2 = --------- = ----------------
I – Im 29.5 x 10-3 A
= 12.712 

P4

A dc ammeter is constructed of a 133.33  resistance in parallel with a PMMC instrument. If the

instrument has a 1.2 k coil resistance and 30 µA FSD, determine the measured current at FSD, 0.5 FSD
and 0.33 FSD.

Rm = 1.2 k , Im(FSD) = 30 A , Rs = 133.33 

Rm
Im

Rs

Is
I

a) at FSD , Vm = IsRs = ImRm = 30 A x 1.2 k

Then, Vm 30 A x 1.2 k
Is = ------ = ----------------- = 270 A
Rs 133.33 

Ranges (current sum) I = Im + Is = 30 A + 270 A = 300 A

b) at 0.5 FSD , IsRs =0.5 ImRm = 15 A x 1.2 k

Then, Vm 30 A x 1.2 k
Is = ------ = ----------------- = 135 A
Rs 133.33 

Ranges (sum current) I = Im + Is = 15 A + 135 A = 150 A

c) at 1/3 FSD , IsRs =1/3 ImRm = 10 A x 1.2 k

Then, Vm 10 A x 1.2 k
Is = ------ = ----------------- = 90.02 A
Rs 133.33 

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 Ranges (sum current) I = Im + Is = 10 A + 90.02 A = 100 A

P5

A dc ammeter consists of an Ayrton shunt in parallel with a PMMC instrument that has a 1.2 k coil
resistance and 100 µA FSD. The Ayrton shunt is made up of four 0.1  series-connected resistors.
Calculate the ammeter range at each setting of the shunt.

Rm = 1.2 k , Im(FSD) = 100 A , Rs=0.1

Rm
Im

Rs1 Rs2 Rs3 Rs4

b c
a d
I

(a) at point A , ImRm = (I – Im) (Rs1 + Rs2 + Rs3 + Rs4)

Vs = Is (Rs1 + Rs2 + Rs3 + Rs4) = ImRm

100 A x 1.2 k
Is = ---------------------- =
Rs1 +Rs2 + Rs3+ Rs4

100 A x 1.2 k
= ---------------------------- = 0.3A
0.4

sum I = Is + Im = 300mA + 0.1mA = 300.1 mA

(b) at point B , Im(Rm+ Rs1) = (I – Im) (Rs2 + Rs3 + Rs4)

Vs = Is (Rs2 + Rs3 + Rs4) = Im(Rm+ Rs1)

100 A x (1.2 k +0.1)

Is = -------------------------------
Rs2 + Rs3+ Rs4

100 A x 1.2 k
= ---------------------------- = 0.4A
0.3

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 sum I = I s + Im = 400mA + 0.1mA = 400.1 mA

( c) at point C, Im(Rm+ Rs1 + Rs2) = (I – Im) (Rs3 + Rs4)

Vs = Is (Rs3 + Rs4) = Im(Rm+ Rs1 + Rs2)

100 A x (1.2 k +0.2)

Is = -------------------------------
Rs3+ Rs4

100 A x 1200.2 
= ---------------------------- = 600.1mA
0.2

sum I = I s + Im = 600.1mA + 0.1mA = 600.2 mA

( d) at point D, Im(Rm+ Rs1 + Rs2 + Rs3) = (I – Im) (Rs4)

Vs = Is (Rs4) = Im(Rm+ Rs1 + Rs2 + Rs3)

100 A x (1.2 k +0.3)

Is = -------------------------------
Rs4

100 A x 1200.3 
= ---------------------------- = 1200.3mA
0.1

sum I = I s + Im = 1200.3mA + 0.1mA = 1200.4 mA

P6

A 12V source supplies 25A to a load. Calculate the load current that would be measured when using an
ammeter with a resistance of (a) 0.12  (b) 0.52  (c) 0.002 .

IL = 25A

RL = 12V/25A

= 0.48
E=12V RL

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(a) IL Rm=0.12

IL(Rm + RL) = 12V

IL = 12/(0.12 + 0.48)
E=12V RL
= 20A

(b) IL Rm=0.52

IL(Rm + RL) = 12V

IL = 12/(0.52 + 0.48)
E=12V RL
= 12A

(c) IL Rm=0.002

IL(Rm + RL) = 12V

IL = 12/(0.002 + 0.48)
E=12V RL
= 24.9A

P7

A PMMC instrument with a 900  coil resistance and an FSD of 75 µA is to be used as a dc voltmeter.
Calculate the individual multiplier resistance to give an FSD of (a) 100 V (b) 30 V (c) 5 V. Also,
determine the voltmeter sensitivity.

Rm = 900 , Im =75 A

Rs Im= 75 A

(a) Im ( Rm + Rs ) = 100V

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 Rs = 100/75A - 900

= 1.33 M

(b) Im ( Rm + Rs ) = 30V

Rs = 30/75A - 900

= 399 k

(c) Im ( Rm + Rs ) = 5V

Rs = 5/75A - 900

= 65.77 k

Sensitivity = Resistance /Voltage range

(i) Sensitivity = 1.33 M/100 V = 13.3 k/V

(ii) Sensitivity = 399 k/30 V = 13.3 k/V

(iii) Sensitivity = 65.77 k/5 V = 13.15 k/V

P8

A PMMC instrument with Rm = 1.3 k and FSD = 500 µA is used in a multirange dc voltmeter. The
series-connected multiplier resistors are R1 = 38.7 k, R2 = 40 k and R3 = 40 k. Calculate the three
voltage ranges and determine the voltmeter sensitivity.

Rm = 1.3k, Im= 500A

R1 R2 R3 Rm

B C
A
Im

(a ) at point A, V = Im ( R1 + R2 + R3 + Rm)

= 500A(38.7k + 40k + 40k +1.3k)

= 60 V

(b ) at point B, V = Im ( R2 + R3 + Rm)

= 500A( 40k + 40k + 1.3k)

= 40.65 V

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(c ) at C point, V = Im (R3 + Rm)

= 500A( 40k + 1.3k)

= 20.65 V

P9

Two resistors, R1 = 47 k and R2 = 82 k, are connected in series across a 15 V supply. A voltmeter on a
10 V range is connected to measure the voltage across R2. The voltmeter sensitivity is 10 k/V. Calculate
VR2 (a) with the voltmeter connected (b) with the voltmeter disconnected.

R1 = 47k voltmeter resistance = 10 x 10k/V

E=15V Rv=100k

Rv V R2 = 82k

(a) With voltmeter connected,

Rv//R2 = RvR2/(Rv + R2)

= 100k x 82k /182k

= 45.05 k

VR2 = R2/(Rv//R2 + R1) x 15 V

= 82 k/ (45.05 k + 47 k) x 15 V

= 13.36 V

(b) Without voltmeter connected,

Voltage at R2,
R1=47k
E = 15V R2 82 k
----------- V = -------------- x 15V
R1 + R2 47k+82k

= 82/129 x 15V
R2 = 82k
= 9.53V

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P10

A 100 k potentiometer and a 33 k resistor are connected in series across a 9 V supply. Calculate the
maximum voltage that can be measured across the potentiometer using a voltmeter with (a) a 20 k/V
sensitivity and a 15 V range (b) a 100 k/V sensitivity and a 10 V range.

V Rv

R1=100k R2=33 k

E= 9V

(a) Voltmeter sensitivity 20 k/V

Range 15 V

Then, Rv = 20 k/V x 15V = 300k

Max voltage can be measured,

Rv//R1 = 100 k x 300 k/ 400 k = 75 k

VR1 = 75 k/(75 k + 33 k) x 9V = (75/108) x 9V = 6.25V

(b) Voltmeter sensitivity100k/V

Ranges 10 V

Then, Rv = 100 k/V x 10V = 1000k

Rv//R1 = 1000 k x 100 k / 1100 k = 90.9 k

VR1 = 90.9 k /(90.9 k + 33 k) 9V = (90.9/123.9) x 9V = 6.6V

P11

A series ohmmeter is made up of the following components: supply voltage Eb = 3 V, series resistor R1 =
30 k, meter shunt resistor R2 = 50 , meter FSD = 50 µA, and meter resistance Rm = 50 . Determine
the resistance measured at (a) 0.25 FSD (b) 0.5 FSD (c) 0.75 FSD (d) FSD.

Rx
R1=30k

Ib
Eb=3V R2=50 Rm=50

I2 Im=50A

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 (a). At 0.25 FSD and 3V supply, Im=50/4A =12.5A
Rx + R1 = 3V/ Ib
Rx = 3V/ Ib - R1
But, Ib = Im + I2
And I2 = ImRm/R2
=12.5Ax 50/50
=12.5A
Then Ib = 12.5A+12.5A = 25A

So, Rx = 3V/25A-30k
= 90k

(b) At 0.5 FSD and 3V supply, Im=50/2A =25A

Rx + R1 = 3V/ Ib
Rx = 3V/ Ib - R1
But, Ib = Im + I2
And I2 = ImRm/R2
=25Ax 50/50
=25A
Then Ib = 25A+25A = 50A

So, Rx = 3V/50A-30k
= 30k

(c) At 0.75FSD and 3V supply, Im=(3x50/4)A =37.5A

Rx + R1 = 3V/ Ib
Rx = 3V/ Ib - R1
But, Ib = Im + I2
And I2 = ImRm/R2
=37.5Ax 50/50
=37.5A
Then Ib = 37.5A+37.5A = 75A

So, Rx = 3V/75A-30k
= 10k

(d) At FSD and 3V supply, Im=50A

Rx + R1 = 3V/ Ib
Rx = 3V/ Ib - R1

But, Ib = Im + I2

And I2 = ImRm/R2
=50Ax 50/50
=50A
Then Ib = 50A+50A = 100A

So, Rx = 3V/100A-30k = 0

P12

A series ohmmeter that has a standard internal resistance of R1 = 50 k uses a meter with FSD = 75 µA
and Rm = 100 . The meter shunt resistance is R2 = 300  and the battery voltage Eb = 5 V. Determine the
resistance measured at (a) 0.25 FSD (b) 0.5 FSD (c) 0.75 FSD (d) FSD.

Rx

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 R1=50 k,

Ib
Eb=5V R2=300 Rm=100
I2 Im=75A

(a) At 0.25 FSD and 5V supply, Im=75/4A =18.75A

Rx + R1 + R2//Rm= 5V/ Ib
Rx = 5V/ Ib - R1- R2//Rm
But, Ib = Im + I2
I2 = ImRm/R2
=18.75A x100/300
=6.25A
Then, Ib = 18.75A +6.25A = 25A

So, Rx = 5V/25A-50k - R2//Rm

= 5V/25A-50k
=150 k

(b) At 0.5 FSD and 5V supply, Im=75/2A =37.5A

Rx + R1 = 5V/ Ib
But, Ib = Im + I2
I2 = ImRm/R2
=37.5A x100/300
=12.5A
Then, Ib = 37.5A +12.5A = 50A

So, Rx = 5V/50A-50k
= 50k

(c) At 0.75 FSD and 5V supply, Im=(3x75/4)A =56.25A

Rx + R1 = 5V/ Ib
But, Ib = Im + I2
I2 = ImRm/R2
=56.25A x100/300
=18.75A
Then, Ib = 56.25A +18.75A = 75A

So, Rx = 5V/75A-50k
= 16.67k

(d) At FSD and 5V supply, Im=75A

Rx + R1 = 5V/ Ib
But, Ib = Im + I2
I2 = ImRm/R2
=75A x100/300
=25A
Then, Ib = 75A +25A = 100A

So, Rx = 5V/100A-50k = 0

P13

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For the ohmmeter circuit in Problem 1, determine the new resistance to which R2 must be adjusted when
Eb falls to 2.5 V. Also, determine the new resistances measured at (a) 0.5 FSD (b) 0.75 FSD.

Rx
R1=30k

Ib
Eb=2.5V R2 Rm=50

I2 Im=50A

When Rx=0, Ib = 2.5V/(30k+R2//Rm)

But R2//Rm is very small compared to R1 therefore can be neglected.
Then, Ib = 2.5V/30k =83.33A
But I2 = Ib - Im = 83.33A - 50A
=33.33A
So, R2 = ImRm/I2 = 50Ax50/33.33A
= 75

(a) At 0.5 FSD and 2.5V supply, Im=50/2A =25A

Rx + R1 = 2.5V/ Ib
Rx = 2.5V/ Ib - R1

But, Ib = Im + I2
I2 = ImRm/R2
=25A x50/75
=16.67A
Then Ib = 25A +16.67A = 41.6A

So, Rx = 2.5V/41.6A-30k
= 29.995k
 30k

(b) At 0.75 FSD and 2.5V supply, Im=0.75x50A =37.5A

Rx + R1 = 2.5V/ Ib
Rx = 2.5V/ Ib - R1

But, Ib = Im + I2
I2 = ImRm/R2
=37.5A x50/75
=25A
Then Ib = 37.5A +25A = 62.5A

So, Rx = 2.5V/62.5A-30k
= 10 k

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