DEE 2313 SEM II 0809

PART 2

CHAPTER 2
AC Meters

2.6 Introduction to AC meters (Alternating-Current)

The d’Arsonval meter movement is a dc responding device. It can also be used to

There are two types of ac meters that will be discussed.

2.6.1 Half-wave Rectifier Voltmeter

The d’Arsonval meter movement only responds to the average or dc value of the current
through the moving coil. In order to measure alternating voltage with d’Arsonval meter, the
alternating signal need to be rectified first by using diode rectifier to produce unidirectional
current flow.

If a diode D1 is added to the dc voltmeter circuit as discussed earlier (Figure 1), then a
circuit that is capable of measuring ac voltage is achieved.

RS
+

Rm Im
_
Figure 2.11 : AC Voltmeter Using Half-wave Rectification

Connecting a 10V sine wave input as shown in Figure 2.11, the voltage across the meter
movement is just the positive half cycle of the sine wave of the rectifying action of the diode.
The peak value of the 10Vrms sine wave is

Ep = 10 Vrms x 1.414 = 1.414 [Vrms = Vm / √2]

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PART 2

The dc meter will only respond to the average value of the ac sine wave. The average or
dc value is given as:

Eave = Edc = 0.318 x Ep

Therefore,

Edc = 0.318 x √2 x Erms

= 0.45 Erms

The half-wave rectifier will give a reading of 4.5V for a 10Vrms sinusoidal ac waveform.
Therefore, using half-wave rectification the dc value is only 45% to that of rms value.

Sac = 0.45 Sdc ................................................................................................... (2.21)

The multiplier resistor Rs (connected in series with diode) would be only 45% of the
multiplier value of a dc voltmeter. The value of Rs using the half-wave rectification can be
calculated as:

Rs = (Edc / Idc) - Rm

= (0.45 Erms / Idc) - Rm

Where S = 1/ Idc (Ω/V)

Therefore,

Rs = S 0.45 Erms - Rm

In general, multiplier resistor

Rs = (S x Range) - Rm ……………………………………………….……….(2.22)

Where equation (2.22) can be

Rs = (Sdc x Rangedc) - Rm …………………...……………………….……………….(2.23)

OR

Rs = (Sac x Rangeac) - Rm …………………...……………………….……………….(2.24)

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Example 2.7

Compute the value of the multiplier for a 10 Vrms ac range on the voltmeter as shown figure 2.11
using equation (2.23) and (2.24) given that Ifs = 1 mA and Rm = 100Ω.

2.6.2 Full-wave Rectification Voltmeter

To improve the sensitivity, the full wave rectification is usually used. It is more desirable
to use a full-wave rather than a half-wave rectifier in ac voltmeter because of the higher
sensitivity rating. The most frequently used circuit for full-wave rectification is the bridge type
as shown in figure 2.12

Figure 2.12: AC Voltmeter Circuit Using Full-wave Rectification

The average value or the dc value is then:

Eave = 2 x 0.318 Ep

Eave = 0.636 Ep ……………………………………………………………............. (2.25)

OR

Eave = 0.636 x √2 Erms

Eave = 0.9 Erms …………………………………………………………………….… (2.26)

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Notice that the 10Vrms voltage is equivalent to 9Vdc .When full-wave rectification is used,
the pointer will deflect to 90% of the full scale. This means an ac voltmeter using full-wave
rectification has a sensitivity equal 90% of the dc sensitivity or twice the sensitivity of a circuit
using half-wave rectification. The sensitivity, Sac for full-wave rectification is

Sac = 0.9 Sdc ………………………………………………………………………….(2.27)

This would mean that the value of the multiplier resistor would only be 90% that of a 10
Vdc voltmeter.

Formula Half-wave rectifier Full-wave rectifier

Ep-p Ep-p = 2( Vrms x 1.414 ) Ep-p = 2( Vrms x 1.414 )

Emax or Epeak Ep = Vrms x 1.414 Ep = Vrms x 1.414

Eave Eave = Edc = 0.318 x Ep Eave = 0.636 x Ep

Sensitivity (Sac) Sac = 0.45 Sdc Sac = 0.9 Sdc

Rs Rs = S x 0.45 Erms - Rm Rs = S x 0.9 Erms - Rm

Example 2.8

Compute the value of the multiplier resistor for a 10Vrms ac range on the voltmeter in figure 2.12
if the Ifs = 1 mA and Rm = 500Ω.

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PART 2

2.7 Considerations in Choosing an Analog Meter

(a) For measurements involving dc applications, select the meter with broadest capability
meeting the circuit’s requirements.
(b) For ac measurements involving sine waves with only modest amounts of distortion (< 10
percent), the average-responding voltmeter provides the best accuracy.
(c) For high-frequency measurements (> 10MHz), the peak-responding voltmeter with a
diode probe input is the most economical choice. Peak-responding circuits are acceptable
if the inaccuracy caused by distortion in the input waveform can be tolerated.
(d) For measurements where it is important to determine the effective power of waveform
which depart from the true sinusoidal forms, the rms-responding voltmeter is the
appropriate choice.

2.8 Comparison Between Analog Meters and Digital Meters

Meters exist in both digital and analog

Analog meters are electrochanical devices driving a pointer against a scale. They are
prone to meaaasurement errors from a number of sources, with accuracy figures of
between ± 0.1% and ± 3%. Inaccurate scale marking during manufacture, bearing
friction,bent pointers and ambient temperature variations all limit measurement accuracy.
Futher human errors are introduced through parallax error and mistakes in interpolating
between scale readings.
Digital meters give a reading in the form of a digital display. There are no problem of
parallax. Digital meters are technically more superior than analog meter with accuracy of
between ± 0.005% and ± 2%. However, this increases manufacturing cost.