ELECTROSTATIC

VOLTMETERS AND FIELD

METERS

BrixG32
 This type of meter was developed in the 1880s and
was an alternative to magnetic coil meters.

The idea is that we can charge two plates which

become attracted to one another when in proximity or
direct contact to high voltage.
 A great thing about electrostatic meters is that
they could be used to effectively measure AC power, you
would not have to rectify (convert to DC) the signal like
you do if you use at magnetic coil meter.
 Electrostatic Voltmeters:

This device measures the actual potential at an object’s

surface. Some electrostatic voltmeters have a “butterfly”
look and are used to measure hundreds to thousands of
volts.
 Electrostatic Voltmeters:

This electrostatic meter detects charge and is used in

grounding high voltage circuits. This meter was
designed by William Stanley in 1896.
 HOW IT WORKS:

With the rotational configuration above one of

the plates (which is aluminum or carbon) is
allowed to rotate and wants to align itself with
the other plate. Either the meter sits and uses
gravity to zero the needle, or a spring pushes the
rotating plate so that is zeroed. A spring system
allows the meter to not have to sit vertically.