National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal
Mechanical Engineering Department
Measurement, Instrumentation and Control Engineering ME302;
V Semester, M2; Assignment 7
Q.1. Derive an expression for the output-input relation for a current sensitive Wheatstone bridge,
assume the voltage input to the bridge remains constant. Discuss the input-output characteristics
of this bridge. Derivation must be complete in all respects. The Wheatstone bridge circuit of
Figure 1 has ratio arms (R3 and R4) of 6000 and 600 . A galvanometer with a resistance (i.e.
internal resistance) of 70 and a sensitivity of 0.04 A/mm is connected between B and D, and
the adjustable resistance R1 reads 340. The galvanometer deflection is 39 mm, and the battery
voltage is 4 V. Assuming no internal battery resistance, calculate the value of the unknown
resistance Rx (i.e. R2). Repeat for R3 and R4 having values of 600 and 60 , respectively.
Figure 1-Q.1
B
R1
R2
Galvanometer
Resistance of
70
R4
R3
D
dc source
Q.2. Figure 2 shows the Wheatstone bridge, considering each arm resistance to participate in the
measurement process, derive a general expression for the input-output relation for this situation.
Assume the voltage input to the bridge remains constant. Derivation must indicate all necessary
steps and assumptions made.
Consider a voltage sensitive bridge shown in Figure 2. If a thermistor whose resistance is
1 1
k
governed by R R0 e and k in which, R = the resistance at any temperature T, in
T T0
Kelvin; R0 = the resistance at reference temperature T0 in Kelvin, e = the base of the Naperian
logarithms and = a constant is placed in leg 1 of the bridge while R 2=R3=R4=R0. Determine the
bridge output when T=4000C if R0=1000 at T0=270C and = 3500. Plot the bridge output from
T = 270C to T = 5000C and determine the maximum deviation from linearity in this temperature
range.
Q.3. What is difference between a constant voltage bridge and a constant current bridge. Derive
an expression for input-output relation for a voltage sensitive constant current bridge with one
arm of the bridge to possess a transducer sensing input. Comment on the output of this bridge in
relation to the bridge output for a voltage sensitive constant voltage bridge when only one arm
of the bridge is active.
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Figure 2 (Q.2)
ig
B
R1
R2
i2
i1
A
i3
Galvanometer
High internal
Resistance
i4
R4
R3
D
ii
dc source ei
Q. 4 Sliding contact resistive transducers convert a mechanical displacement input into an
electrical output either voltage or current, resistive potentiometers is an example for this. Derive
the input-output relation when the terminating device draws nil current or under open circuit
conditions. Further analyse and derive the input-output relation when the terminating device
draws a finite amount of current ( i.e. for the case of a low impedance device or current sensitive
device.) Discuss graphically the input-output characteristics. Evaluate the associated error and
illustrate graphically and what factor can minimise the error. Also comment conflicting factors
or what factors govern decided when designing potentiometer resistance. Cover aspects like (i)
sensitivity (ii) linearity (iii) resolution. Discuss noise with regards to measurement using
potentiometer.
Q. 5 Discuss the working simple voltage balancing sliding contact resistance input circuitry.
What are the necessary modifications for this input circuitry so as to account for changes in
source voltage, discuss with sketch.
Q. 6 Discuss the input-output characteristics of the current sensitive input circuitry.
Q. 7 Explain the working of the ballast resistance input circuitry or voltage sensitive circuitry.
Derive and discuss the input-output characteristics. Explain the significance of the ballast
resistance in the circuit.
Q. 8 Consider the constant voltage, voltage sensitive resistance Wheatstone bridge. Assuming all
resistance of bridge to undergo changes (i.e. finite) derive an expression for input-output
relation. Derivation must be complete in all respects. Explain how this general expression can be
utilised to obtain output when changes in resistance occur in (i) one arm, (ii) two arms, (iii) three
arm and (iv) four arms. Assume all resistance initially are of same magnitude and also each arm
has the same magnitude of change in resistance. Comment on the output in each case.
Q. 9 Discuss the two methods of operation of the Wheatstone bridge for the purpose of
measurement of the input from a transducer. Comment on the nature of input that can be
measured appropriately in each case. Discuss the various arrangement of Wheatstone bridge
when measurement is made based on the null balance approach.
Q. 10 A force cell uses a resistance element as a secondary transducer. It is connected to a ballast
circuit in which the series resistance Rb has a value one-half the nominal resistance of the
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transducer. Determine the circuit output eo in terms of ei for force input of 25, 50 and 75 percent
of full range.
Q. 11 A simple Wheatstone bridge as shown in Figure 2 is used to accurately determine the
value of an unknown resistance R1 located in arm 1. If upon initial null balance R3 is 127.5, and
if when R2, R4 are interchanged null balance is achieved when R3 is 157.9, what is the value of
the unknown resistance R1?
Q. 12 A resistive element of a force cell forms one le of Wheatstone bridge. If the no-load
resistance is 500 and the sensitivity of the cell is 0.5/N, what will be the bridge output for
applied loads of 100N, 200N, and 350N, if the bridge excitation is 10volts and each arm of the
bridge is initially 500.
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