06-Dec-21

GALVANOMETER & ITS

COVERSION TO AMMETER AND
VOLTMETER

Galvanometer
• To measure small currents and small voltages

−50 + 50
−35 + 35

• Symbol G

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Galvanometer
• Principal: Current carrying coil inside the magnetic field will
experience a torque

= × =

Galvanometer Construction
• Concaved poles of permanent magnet produces magnetic field B (Fig-1)
• A coil is wound around cylindrical iron core is placed inside this magnetic field:
• Current thru the coil will produce deflecting torque
• The coil ends are connected to two restoring springs for:
• Passage of the current (Fig-2) (+ - signs) and
• providing balancing torque = against deflecting torque =
• The coil rotates on two jeweled bearings (Fig-3) minimize friction/long life
• A pointer on the coil and a scale are used to show deflection of the coil – proportional to the
amount of current
Fig-2 Fig-3

Fig-1

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Galvanometer Construction

• The wire of galvanometer coil is very thin & has resistance 15

• We can model coil as resistance
• galvanometer as instrument
• Can measure small currents only
(ie full scale deflection = 10 A) G

• Can measure small voltages only + -

(ie full scale deflection = 150 V)

Galvanometer: Working
Let, , r, d – the length, radius & dia of coil
N – number of turns in the coil,
B – Flux density in the air gap, /
– current through coil in Ampere
K – spring constant of suspension, Nm/rad
– final steady-state deflection of moving coil in radiance
The controlling torque exerted by
, = the springs at deflection
2 , =2
=
Deflecting Torque = × =2 We know coil Deflecting Torque,
= 2 =
= For final steady Deflection,
= =
N, B & A are constants =
=
G is displacement constant of galvanometer = =
Hence final steady Deflection,

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Ammeter
• Instrument to measure heavy electric currents in the circuit

• Symbol

• connected in series

• It is the modified form of galvanometer

Conversion of Galvanometer to Ammeter

• Galvanometer can’t measure heavy currents G

• To convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter,

• A very low resistance(shunt resistance) is
connected in parallel to Galvanometer
• Value of shunt is so adjusted that most of the
current passes through the shunt
• In this way a Galvanometer is converted into
Ammeter and can measure heavy currents

Cont’d….

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Conversion of Galvanometer to Ammeter …Cont’d

• Resistance of galvanometer = =
+ -
• Shunt Resistance =

• Voltage across Galvanometer = …………… A = −

• Current through shunt = −

+ = -
• Voltage drop across shunt =

Or = − …… B

││ so = .. ………… C

placing values from A & B in C − =

= = =
Dividing both sides by −1 = −1 −1

Ammeter Example
A galvanometer having an internal resistance of 15 gives full deflection with current of 10mA. It
is to be converted into an Ammeter of Range 10 A. Find the value of shunt resistance?

Given Solution
= 15
We know
= 10mA = 10 A
= 10 =
−1
= ?

10
= = = 1000
10

Shunt Resistance
15
= = = 0.015015
−1 1000 − 1

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Voltmeter
• Instrument to measure large voltages
between two points

• Symbol

• connected in parallel to the cct

Conversion of Galvanometer to Voltmeter

• Galvanometer can’t measure high voltages
• To convert a Galvanometer into an voltmeter,
• a very high resistance known as "series
resistance" is connected in series with the
galvanometer.

Cont’d….

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Conversion of Galvanometer to Voltmeter …Cont’d

= =
• Resistance of galvanometer = + − + −

• Series Resistance =

• Voltage across terminals (KVL) = +

= − + −

= −1

= −1

= −1 = −1 =

Conversion of Galvanometer to Voltmeter …Cont’d

= =
• Resistance of galvanometer = + − + −

• Series Resistance =

• Voltage across terminals (KVL) = +

= − + −

= −1

= −1

= −1 = −1 =

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Voltmeter Example
A galvanometer is to be used to measure 18 volts. Galvanometer has coil resistance
of 12 and maximum coil current 3mA. What is the value of series resistance?
Given Solution
= 12
We know
= 3mA = 3 × 10 A
= 18 V = −1 = −1 =

= ?
=

= 3 × 10 × 12 = 36 × 10 V
18
= = 500
36 × 10
Series Resistance
= −1 = 500 − 1 12 = 5988

End