Voltage measurement due to DC potentiometer

1. Purpose
Measure the voltage of circuits with different internal resistance using DC potentiometer and
Digital Multi-meter. Confirm the effectiveness of the null method for displacement method in the
voltage measurement of a circuit with large internal resistance.

2. Theory of Experiment
Voltage measurement using a potentiometer which is based on “Null Method” is less affected by
the output impedance of the measured voltage source.

3. Experiment Method
Configure the circuit shown in Figure.1 using a simple DC potentiometer, then wire a voltage
source E and an equivalent resistance of internal resistance on the breadboard. If you need to operate
the switch or change the circuit wiring, perform the following procedure. To protect the Electronic
Galvanometer, turn down the sensitivity adjustment knob of the galvanometer to the minimum and
search for the equilibrium point while raising the sensitivity little by little.

Figure 1: Experiment system

In Figure1, first read the dial scale Ms of the potentiometer that becomes the equilibrium, when
the selector switch of the potentiometer is to (STD) side and the reference voltage Es is set to 2.5V.
Then switch the selector switch of the potentiometer to the TARGET side and read the dial scale Mx
of the equilibrium. Measured voltage E will be estimated with the Equation (1).

Ex =Mx・Es /Ms (1)

Next, repeat the measurement above when the selector switch is to the (STD) side back and the

1
reference voltage is set to 3.0V.
After running the above measurement, measure the voltage using (DMM) Digital Multi-meter.
As DMM, those specified (Hioki 3803) in addition to the use of at least two those prepared in each
group. In this case, to keep ahead not forget the various original DMM that was used 1). Then Ri is
measured while changing to 0 ~ 1 [M], and discussed shown in Figure the relationship between the
measured voltage Ri and Ex. Incidentally, before reading Mx in consideration of the influence of the
temperature drift to be read in each case Ms. (Ri measuring at least 0 and at least 10 points and
contains 1 M.)

4. Equipments to use
 DC potentiometer
 Reference voltage source
 Electronic Galvanometer
 Test voltage source (battery)
 Digital Multi-meter ( Hioki 3803)
 Digital Multi-meter ( brought by the students )
 Fixed resistor
 Breadboard

5. Assignment
The input resistance of a digital tester can be estimated accurately by using the result of this
measurement. The voltage applied to the voltmeter E x is given as Equation (2), Where R m is the input
resistance.

RM
Ex= Ex0
Ri + R M （2）

In Equation (2), Exo is the electromotive force of the measured source. Reciprocal of Ex is given as
Equation (3).
1 1 1
= Ri +
Ex RM Ex0 Ex0 （3）

Since 1/Ex is proportional to Ri, Rm can be estimated by calculating the slope and the intercept of Ri
～(1/Ex) graph.

2
 1. Using the measurement result, draw the Ri～(1/Ex) graph.
2. Calculate the slope and the intercept of this graph and estimate the input resistance R m of
the Digital Multi-meter you used.

Annotation
1) Hioki DCV 4.000V range specifications in the 3803; Input resistance: 10 M, Accuracy: (0: 6%
rdg + 2dgt) (nominal value both)