CHAPTER 4

TOPICS
 Ammeter

 Voltmeter

 Ohmmeter
Electrical
 Multitester (VOM)

 Kilowatt-hour Meter
Instruments
 Instrument Transformer

 Clamp meter
and
 Megger Measurements
 Power Factor Meter

 Tachometer

 Phase Sequence

Indicator
 The electrical instrument is used to calculate electrical quantities such as current, voltage,

power, etc. Electrical instruments are categorized according to the electrical quantity or the

characteristics measured. It is also categorized according to the type of test function, according to

the current that can be measured by it.

Ammeter

An ammeter is an instrument that measures current.

Common Units of an Ammeter

 Micro ampere (µA)

 Milli ampere (mA)

 Ampere (A)

 Kilo ampere (KA)

Connection of an ammeter

An ammeter should be connected in series with the load.

Types of Ammeter

1. DC Ammeter – measures direct

current

2. AC Ammeter – measures alternating

current

Precaution in Using Ammeters

The proper type of ammeter should be

selected for the purpose. If you are uncertain

of the current you will measure, always set the ammeter to its highest range before using it. If the
pointer deflects to less than ¼ of its scale, then the ammeter can be set to the next lower range. An

ammeter should not be connected, by any means, in parallel to the load.

Voltmeter

A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure voltage.

Common Units of Voltmeters

 Milli volt (mV)

 Volt (V)

 Kilo volt (KV)

Connection of Voltmeter

A voltmeter is connected across the

load or between two lines.

Types of Voltmeter

1. DC Voltmeter – measures direct

current voltage.

2. AC Voltmeter – measures

alternating voltage.

Precaution in Using Voltmeters

The proper type of voltmeter should be selected for the purpose. If you are uncertain of the

range of the voltage you are about to measure, always set the voltmeter to its highest range. During

measurement, if the pointer deflects to less than ¼ of its full scale, the voltmeter may be set to the

next lower range.

 Ohmmeter

An ohmmeter is an instrument that measures resistance. It is also used for checking the

continuity of electric circuits, coils of wires, heaters, and electrical devices among others.

Connection for continuity testing and resistance measurement in shown in the figures below.

Calibrating an Ohmmeter

Before one can make resistance measurements of an electric device with an ohmmeter, the

test prod of the ohmmeter should be first shorted. Then, the zero adjust knob should be adjusted

so that its pointer deflects to zero. An attempt to measure resistance without first observing this

procedure might give erroneous measurements. However, when testing the continuity of an electric

device, there is no need to calibrate the ohmmeter to zero reading prior to the testing.

Precaution in Using an Ohmmeter

When measuring the continuity of an electric device with an ohmmeter, make sure that the device

to be tested is free from any sources. That is, there should be no existing voltage across the device

to be tested.

Various Devices and Appliances that can be Tested with an Ohmmeter

 Fuses

 Resistors

 Heaters of flat iron

 Coils of electric fan

 Armature winding of motors

 Relay contacts

 Switches

The above are just a few of the hundreds of devices that can be tested with an ohmmeter.
 Multi-tester (VOM)

A multi-tester is an instrument that can measure current, voltage and resistance. The

method of changing the mode of measurements is through a selector switch. Multi-tester usually

has three scales: volts, amperes, and ohms.

Precaution in Using the Multi-tester

Set the selector switch to the right parameter to be measured (i.e. voltage, current or

resistance) and observe carefully the precaution discussed for ammeter, voltmeter and ohmmeter

respectively.

Wattmeter

A wattmeter is an instrument that measure electrical power in Watts.

Common Units of Wattmeter

 Watts

 Kilowatts

Internal Circuit of a Wattmeter

The internal circuit of a wattmeter consists of two coils. The first coil, called potential coil,

is to be connected in parallel with the load in which the wattage is to be measured. This coil works

like a voltmeter. The second coil, called the current coil, is to be connected in series with the load.

This second coil works like an ammeter. The product of the current in the current coil and the

voltage in the potential coil is the reading indicated by the wattmeter.

Types of Wattmeter

1. DC Wattmeter – measures power in DC

2. AC Wattmeter – measures power in AC

Using Both Voltmeter and Ammeter in Determining the Power of a Load

The electrical power of a load can also be determined by means of a voltmeter and ammeter

combined. The figure below shows the method of connecting an ammeter and a voltmeter in

determining the power of the load (lamp). To determine the power, multiply the reading of the

ammeter to the reading of the voltmeter. Thus, if the ammeter reads 1.5 amperes and the voltmeter

reads 110 V, the power of the lamp load is computed as follows:

𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 (𝑃) = (𝐴𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔) × (𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔)

𝑃 = 1.5 𝐴 × 110 𝑉

𝑷 = 𝟏𝟔𝟓 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔

Kilo-Watt-Hour Meter

This is an instrument that records the electrical energy consumption of electrical

equipment. A kilo-watt-hour meter is equipped with coils that cause a disk to rotate. The rotating

disk is attached to an analog indicator that integrates and records the quantity of electrical energy

consumed by the equipment in kilo-watt-hour. Kilo-watt-hour meters are commonly used by

residential, commercial and industrial customers. Consumers pay the utility company based on the

amount of electrical energy consumed, as recorded by the kilo-watt-hour meter.

Instrument Current Transformer (ICT) and Instrument Potential Transformer (IPT)

Basic Function of an ICT

An ICT is a transformer whose function is to reduce high current to a value capable of

being measured by a low range ammeter. It is used in measuring current of high voltage wires. Its

purpose is to protect personnel taking current measurement from high voltage.

ICT Ratio

The ratio of the primary current over the secondary current is the ICT ratio. It is also the

ratio of how much the current in the primary can be reduced in the secondary. Thus, if the reading
of ammeter is 2 amperes and the ICT ratio is 50/5 or 10, then the current in the primary line or in

the load is computed as follows:

𝐼 = (𝐴𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔) × (𝐼𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜)

𝐼 = 2 × 10

𝑰 = 𝟐𝟎 𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔

Measuring High Current

High current can be measured with low range ammeters equipped with ICT. The ICT

consists of only one secondary coil looped with round hole. The primary is actually the high

voltage and high current cable wire inserted through the hole of the ICT. Figure shows the

connection of ICT and ammeter to measure the high current of the cable wire.

Application of an ICT

 Instrumentation of high current equipment

 Isolation of ammeter from high voltage

 Ease of measuring high current as in a clamp meter

Basic Function of an IPT

An IPT is a transformer used primarily for isolating voltmeter and ammeter from measuring

high voltage. Figure shows the connection of IPT and voltmeter to a high voltage cable.

IPT Ratio

The ratio of the voltage in primary over the secondary is the IPT ratio. Thus, if the voltmeter

reading is 120 V, and the IPT ratio is 115, the voltage between the high voltage cable can be

computed as follows:

𝐸 = (𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔) × (𝐼𝑃𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜)

𝐸 = 120 × 115
 𝑬 = 𝟏𝟑, 𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝑽

Applications of an IPT

 Instrumenting high voltage equipment

 Isolating voltmeter from high voltage

High Voltage and High Current Instrumentation

Since it is quiet dangerous to take voltage and current readings of equipment with high

voltages, it is necessary to isolate the meters. To acquire isolation, IPT and ICT are utilized. Figure

below shows the basic meter connection for high voltage equipment.

Clamp Meter

A clamp meter is a handy ammeter that can measure AC current without actually making

any connection to the circuit. It actually works using the principle of ICT. A clamp meter cannot

measure DC current. Figure below shows how to measure current in a conductor using a clamp

meter.

Composition of a Clamp meter

A clamp meter is composed of a current transformer and an ammeter combined in one

compartment.

Mega-ohmmeter (Megger)

A megger is actually an ohmmeter that can measure very high insulation resistance strength

between two conductors. When the megger is cranked within one minute it can charge two separate

conductors, with a voltage up to 1,000 volts. While cranking the megger, it will register the

insulation resistance strength between two conductors in ohms. The acceptable insulation strength

between two conductors should not fall below 50 MΩ. If the megger indicates less than 50 MΩ,

the quality of insulation between the two conductors is considered poor.

Applications of a Megger

 Test and measures the insulation resistance strength of wires and cables. (The acceptable

insulation resistance reading is 50 MΩ or greater.

 Measures the insulation resistance between wires and between wire to ground.

Testing and Measuring Insulation Resistance Strength

Figure (a) shows how to test and measure the insulation resistance strength between

winding and body of monitor. Figure (b) shows how to test and measure the insulation resistance

between two installed wires in a circuit.

Power Factor Meter

Two pieces of equipment might operate or deliver the same power but may draws different

current from the source. The one that draws more current has a lower power factor. The lower

factor equipment will draw and return electrical energy from the source more than the one with

higher power factor. This is especially true when the equipment has high reactance. The drawback

with low power factor is that the equipment would require larger sized cable wires. Furthermore,

utility companies like Meralco charge penalties against industrial establishments operating at low

power factor because the extra unproductive current they draw is wasted in the form of heat in the

lines and prevent the diversion of that current to other industrial establishments. Large industrial

companies operating at low power factor may pay a large amount of money for penalties.

Application of Power Factor Meter

A power factor meter is installed in the lines of industrial establishments to monitor the

power factor of their equipment. Such monitoring will enable the establishment to make

adjustments for improving the power factor. The figure shows the connection of a power factor

meter in a 3-phase line.

 Tachometer

A tachometer is an instrument that indicates the revolution per minute of a rotating

machine. A portable type of tachometer has a shaft that is to be held in contact with the end of the

rotating shaft of a machine whose revolution is to be measured. The figure shows how to use the

tachometer in measuring the revolution of a motor.

Phase Sequence Indicator

A phase sequence indicator is an instrument that indicates if a load can be transferred to an

emergency generator in case there is a main power failure (brownout).

Two-Lamp Method

To ensure the proper operation of a 3-phase rotating electrical machine when it is

transferred from the main supply line to emergency supply line, both line should be tested first

with a phase sequence indicator. A phase sequence indicator will determine if the phasing of a 3-

phase line is A-B-C sequence or C-B-A sequence. The connection is shown in the figure below.

Application

In a 3-phase system, where the main supply from a utility company is interrupted, the

transfer of load from the main supply to the existing emergency generator cannot commence unless

the three lines are tested first for correct sequencing. If the load consisting of rotating machines

running at a clockwise revolution from the main supply is transferred to the emergency generator

without observing first the proper phase sequence in the lines, then the motor load might operate

in counter clockwise revolution which can bring about detrimental effects to the operation.

To avoid such effects during the transfer, the emergency generator must be tested first with

a phase sequence indicator to see if it is in conformity with the sequence of the phase sequence of

the main supply. The connection is shown in the figure below. Normally, M1 contacts are closed
while M2 contacts are open. If in this condition the motor loads are running clockwise, then it

should also run clockwise when the emergency generator is the one supplying the power through

M2 contacts while M1 contacts are open.

Prior to connecting the loads, the lines AU, BU and CU of the main supply lines and the

lines AE, BE, and CE of the emergency generator supply should be tested with a phase sequence

indicator as shown in the figure. If in both connections the B1 bulb is bright and B2 is dim, then

both main supply lines and emergency lines are operating in the same phase sequence and their

connection can be made permanent with the load.

However, if B1 is bright in the main supply line while in the emergency line supply it is

dim, then the lines of the emergency supply and the lines of the generator are not in the same phase

sequence. This means that if the motor loads are connected to the main supply line rotate

clockwise, then they will rotate counter clockwise when they are transferred to the lines of the

emergency generator. This condition can be easily corrected by interchanging any two of the three

lines AE, BE and CE of the emergency generator lines.

 TEST YOURSELF

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. To measure the power taken by a DC electric motor with only a single instrument you should

use _____.

a. Voltmeter c. Wattmeter

b. Ammeter d. Power factor meter

2. What is standard instrument to measure the speed of a motor?

a. Pyrometer c. Tachometer

b. Gyrometer d. Synchroscope

3. The instrument used to indicate phase relation between current and voltage is the ______.

a. Megger c. Voltmeter

b. Power factor meter d. Galvanometer

4. When an ammeter is disconnected from an in-service current transformer, the secondary

terminals of the current transformer must be _____.

a. Shorted c. Disconnected

b. Open d. Grounded

5. An electrician in the industry would first check the ______ to correct a low power factor.

a. Resistance c. Inductive load

b. Hysteresis d. Reluctance

6. To check voltage to ground, you would check from _____.

a. The breaker to the cabinet

b. Hot to neutral

c. The breaker to the grounding terminal

 d. All of these

7. An AC ammeter or voltmeter is calibrated to read RMS values; this means the meter is

reading the ______.

a. Maximum c. Average

b. Peak d. Effective

8. A wattmeter indicates _______.

I. Real power

II. Apparent power if pf is unity

III. Power factor

a. I only c. III only

b. II only d. I, II and III

9. To increase the range of an AC ammeter which one of the following is most commonly used?

a. Current transformer c. Inductance

b. Condenser d. Straight shunt (not U-shaped)

10. A tester using an ordinary light bulb is commonly used to test _____.

a. Whether a circuit is AC or DC c. An overloaded circuit

b. For a polarity of DC circuit d. For ground on 120V circuit