WORKING OF

WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
INTRODUCTION:-

WHAT IS WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE?

Wheatstone bridge, also known as

the resistance bridge, calculates the
unknown resistance by balancing two
legs of the bridge circuit. One leg
includes the component of unknown
resistance.
OBJECTIVE OF WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE:-

The Wheatstone Bridge Circuit

comprises two known resistors, one
unknown resistor and one variable
resistor connected in the form of a
bridge. This bridge is very reliable as it
gives accurate measurements. Imagine
an electrical circuit formed by the four
legs of the resistors. The bridge is
balanced if the sum of resistances
balances both legs. A galvanometer
measures it. It is simple to understand
the construction and working of this
bridge.
PRINCIPLE OF WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE:-

The working principle of this resistance bridge

is the null deflection. When the resistance ratio
in both arms is equal, no current flows through
the galvanometer. It is denoted by null
deflection in the galvanometer. Hence, current
flows through this electrical circuit under normal
conditions, and the bridge is said to be in an
unbalanced state. It is said to be in a balanced
state only if there is no current flowing in the
galvanometer. Thus, the work of the variable
resistance or resistor is to establish the balance
of the bridge by offering required resistances in
the ratio of the four arm resistances.
MATERIALS REQUIRED TO
BUILD WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE:-

Wheatstone bridge consists of four

resistors of which two resistors are
known resistors, one variable
resistor, one unknown resistor, and a
galvanometer.
CONSTRUCTION OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE:-

A Wheatstone bridge circuit consists of

four arms, of which two arms consist of
known resistances while the other two
arms consist of an unknown resistance
and a variable resistance. The circuit
also consists of a galvanometer and
an electromotive force source. The emf
source is attached between
points a and b while the galvanometer is
connected between points c and d. The
current that flows through the
galvanometer depends on its potential
difference.
DERIVATION OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE:-

The current enters the galvanometer and

divides into two equal magnitude currents as
I1 and I2. The following condition exists when
the current through a galvanometer is zero,

I1P=I2R...(1)

The currents in the bridge, in a balanced

condition, are expressed as follows:
I1=I3=E/(P+Q)
I2=I4=E/(R+S)
Here, E is the emf of the battery.
By substituting the value of I1 and I2 in
equation (1), we get

PE/(P+Q)=RE/(R+S)

P/(P+Q)=R/(R+S)
 P(R+S)=R(P+Q)

PR+PS=RP+RQ

PS=RQ…(2)

R=(P/Q)*S…(3)

Equation (2) shows the balanced condition of

the bridge, while (3) determines the value of the
unknown resistance.

 R is the unknown resistance, S is the

standard arm of the bridge and P and Q are the
ratio arm of the bridge.
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
FORMULA:-
R=PS/Q
Where,
 R is the unknown resistance
 S is the standard arm of the bridge
 P and Q is the ratio of the arm of the bridge


 APPLICATIONS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE:-

 The Wheatstone bridge is used for

the precise measurement of low
resistance.

 Wheatstone bridge and an

operational amplifier are used to
measure physical parameters such
as temperature, light, and strain.

 Quantities such as impedance,

inductance, and capacitance can be
measured using variations on the
Wheatstone bridge
 LIMITATIONS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE:-

 It may not be the ideal solution to calculate

small resistances. This is because the
resistance of contacts and leads becomes
significant and introduces errors in the
calculations. Hence, this bridge is modified to
Kelvin’s bridge for calculating small resistances.
 It may not be able to find the values of high
resistances. This is because the measurements
of the unknown resistance become so large that
the galvanometer can’t show sensitivity to the
deflections. Hence, modifications to this bridge
are made to ensure the galvanometer remains
sensitive to the highest values of resistances.
 It may not be possible to accommodate the
heating effects of the current. It changes the
value of resistance that can’t be calculated with
this bridge. It is often observed that excessive
winds can cause permanent changes in the
resistance values.
 The Wheatstone bridge is a delicate device. In
an off-balance situation, measurements may
not even be accurate.
 Wheatstone bridges are commonly used to
measure the resistance of a few ohms to those
few kilo-ohms.
 If the four resistances are not equivalent, the
circuit’s sensitivity is reduced.
CONCLUSION:-

A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical

circuit. It is used to find an unknown
electrical resistance by balancing two
legs of a bridge circuit, where one of the
two legs contains the unknown
resistance.  It consists of four legs in
which four resistances are connected
(one in each leg), a source and a null
detector (galvanometer).  It is based on
the principle of null deflection, i.e. the
resistance ratios are equal and there is
no flow of current through the circuit.
The unknown resistance can be
measured by using the Wheatstone
Bridge Formula.