Understanding Electrostatic Instruments: A Detailed Look at Linear and Rotary Types
Electrostatic instruments are a class of measuring devices that utilize the force exerted
between charged bodies to measure electrical quantities, primarily voltage. Their
operation hinges on the fundamental principle that a force of attraction or repulsion
arises between charged objects, and this force can be harnessed to produce a
measurable deflection. These instruments are particularly valued for their ability to
measure high voltages and for their application in both direct current (DC) and
alternating current (AC) circuits without drawing significant power from the circuit under
test.
The deflecting torque in these instruments is directly proportional to the square of the
voltage being measured, which makes them true root-mean-square (RMS) reading
instruments. This characteristic ensures their accuracy for both AC and DC
measurements. Electrostatic instruments are broadly categorized into two main types
based on their construction and the nature of the movement of their charged
components: linear and rotary types.
Linear Type Electrostatic Instruments
In a linear type electrostatic instrument, the movement of the charged component is
translational, meaning it moves in a straight line.
Construction and Working Principle
A typical linear electrostatic instrument consists of two parallel plates. One plate is held
in a fixed position, while the other is movable and is attached to a pointer that moves
over a calibrated scale. A controlling force, usually provided by a spring, is also
connected to the movable plate to return it to the zero position when no voltage is
applied.
When a voltage is applied across the two plates, they become charged. The potential
difference creates an electrostatic field between them, resulting in a force of attraction
that pulls the movable plate towards the fixed plate. This linear movement of the plate
causes the attached pointer to deflect across the scale. The deflection is proportional to
the square of the applied voltage. The pointer comes to rest when the deflecting force
due to the electrostatic field is balanced by the controlling force of the spring.
The force (F) between the plates can be expressed by the equation:
F=21 d 2 ϵAV 2
where:
ϵ is the permittivity of the dielectric medium between the plates.
A is the area of the plates.
V is the voltage applied across the plates.
d is the distance between the plates.
To measure the voltage, the change in capacitance with the linear displacement of the
movable plate is utilized.
Applications
Linear type electrostatic instruments are primarily used for the measurement of high
voltages where the electrostatic forces are significant enough to cause a measurable
linear displacement.
Rotary Type Electrostatic Instruments
In a rotary type electrostatic instrument, the movable component rotates in relation to
the fixed components. This category includes quadrant electrometers and multicellular
electrostatic voltmeters.
Construction and Working Principle
A common form of a rotary electrostatic instrument is the quadrant electrometer. It
consists of a flat, hollow, cylindrical box divided into four equal quadrants. Opposite pairs
of quadrants are electrically connected. A light, flat, paddle-shaped needle is suspended
by a phosphor-bronze or silvered-quartz thread at the center of the quadrants.
When a voltage is applied between the needle and one pair of quadrants, and another
voltage (which could be the same or different) is applied between the needle and the
other pair of quadrants, an electrostatic force is created. This force causes the needle to
rotate into the region of the quadrants with the opposite polarity. The resulting deflecting
torque is proportional to the square of the voltage difference. This rotation continues
until the deflecting torque is balanced by the controlling torque provided by the
suspension thread. A pointer attached to the suspension indicates the deflection on a
circular scale.
Another design is the multicellular electrostatic voltmeter, which is essentially an
assembly of several rotary units stacked together to increase the deflecting torque,
making it suitable for measuring lower voltages. It consists of a series of fixed, triangular-
shaped metal vanes and a set of movable vanes mounted on a central spindle.
The deflecting torque (Td) in a rotary electrostatic instrument is given by:
Td=21 V 2dθdC
where:
V is the applied voltage.
C is the capacitance between the fixed and movable plates.
θ is the angular deflection.
Applications
Rotary type electrostatic instruments are versatile and are used for a range of voltage
measurements. The quadrant electrometer can be used not only as a voltmeter but also
for measuring power and charge. Multicellular electrostatic voltmeters are employed for
precise measurements of voltages in the lower to medium range.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electrostatic Instruments
