Instrumentation and Measurement

Experiment 10
Objective:
Calibration of Wattmeter by Phantom Loading Method

Apparatus:
 LVHI T/F 1
 HVLI T/F 1
 Ammeter 1
 Voltmeter 1
 Wattmeter 2
 Current controlling resistor (CCR)
 Connecting wires

Theoretical Background:
The wattmeter is an instrument for measuring the electric power (or the supply rate of electrical
energy) in watts of any given circuit. Calibration of wattmeter is done by various methods. Here we will
calibrate wattmeter by Phantom Loading.
The phantom loading is also called ficticious
loading. When the capacity of the meter to be
tested is very high then tremendous loss of power
occurs due to ordinary loading. Hence high
phantom loading method is used to test such
meters, to avoid wastage of power.
In this method, pressure coil is excited by a
normal supply voltage while the current coil is
excited by a small voltage. As impedance of
current coil is small, small voltage is enough to circulate the rated current through the current coil. Then the
total power supplied for the test is sum of power supplied to small pressure coil current at normal voltage
and due to rated current at very low voltage. Thus the overall power loss during the test is very small.

Circuit diagram:
AC
LVHI T/F CCR CC1 CC2
SUPPLY
A

HVLI T/F

V PC1 PC2

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Instrumentation and Measurement

Procedure:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in circuit diagram.
2. For the calibration of current coil of wattmeter, vary the voltage while keeping the current at a
constant value of 5A. Use Current Controlling Resistor for setting the current at 5A.
3. Note the corresponding readings of both Watt meters and calculate %Error.
4. For the calibration of potential coil of wattmeter, vary the current by using current controlling
resistor while voltage is kept constant at a fixed value of 220V. Use Auto Transformer for setting the
voltage at 220V.
5. Note the corresponding readings of both Watt meters and calculate %Error.

Observations and calculations:

I=5A
I V WT WS %Error
Sr. No.
(A) (V) (W) (W)
1 5
2 5
3 5

V=220V
V I WT WS %Error
Sr. No.
(V) (A) (W) (W)
1 220
2 220
3 220

Conclusion & comments:

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Precautions:
 While dealing with electric circuits handle the apparatus carefully.
 Make sure the connections are tight.
 Observe the readings carefully.

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