PMMC

PMMC stands for ‘Permanent magnet moving coil’. It is one of the simple and most used instrument
on board with sophisticated names. They are used on board to assist in regular maintenance of
electrical equipment or when precise measurements are required. Apart from PMMC and permanent
magnet moving coil; they are also known as D’alvanometer ( A type of galvanometer based on
D’Arsonval principles ).
It is a simple machine which create stationary magnetic fields with two powerful permanent magnet.
This is then used with the moving coil connected to the electric source to produce deflection torque;
according to the popular theory of Fleming left hand rule.

Construction of PMMC Instrument

A PMMC Equipment consists of two main parts; moving coil and a permanent magnet along with
other parts. These parts are explained below:

1.Magnet System
The instrument consists of two high intensity, high coercive force magnet’s or a big U-shape magnet
based on design. These magnet’s are made up of Alcomax and Alnico for higher coercive force and
better field intensity. In many designs an additional soft iron cylinder is placed in between the
magnetic poles to make the field uniform; while reducing air reluctance to increasing field strength.
2.Moving Coil
It is one of the main component of permanent magnet moving coil equipment; and is made up of
copper coils wounded to a rectangular block in between the magnetic poles. Made up of Aluminum;
the rectangular block is called Aluminum former pivoted to the jeweled bearing. It is what that
allows the coil to rotate freely.
When current is passed through these coils; it receives a deflection in the field which is then used to
determine voltage / Current magnitude. Non-metallic former like that of aluminum are used for
current measurement; while metallic former with high electromagnetic damping are used to measure
voltage.
3.Control
Two spring made of phosphorus bronze acts as a control system for the permanent magnet moving
coil. These springs are mounted on the jewel bearing of PMMC; providing the essential controlling
torque. The controlling torque produced is mainly due to ribon suspension. They oppose the force of
deflection; so as the electromagnetic force ( Of Moving Coil ) came in equilibrium with the spring
tension.
This helps in keeping the pointer at a fixed position after initial deflection. These control springs also
serves the purpose of providing lead current path in and out of the system.

4.Damping System
Damping torque is produced in the PMMC equipment by the movement of aluminum core in the
magnetic field. It keeps the pointer at rest after the initial deflection. This helps in proper
measurement without fluctuations. Due to the movement of coil in the magnetic field; eddy current
is produced in the aluminum former.
This produce the damping force / Torque which oppose further motion of the coil. Slowly the pointer
deflection reduce and finally stop’s at a fixed position.

5.Scale and Pointer

The pointer connected to the moving coil, moves over a marked scale. The pointer moves along with
the coil deflection to show readings marked on the scale. Pointer is a simple construction with light
weight design and twisted section to reduce parallax error. A Parallax error can be further reduced
by proper alignment of pointer blades to the initial scale.

Working Principle of a PMMC Instrument

“When a current caring conductor is placed in a magnetic field; it experiences a force perpendicular
to the field and the current.” (Fleming Left Hand Rule). This force tends to move the conductor.
According to Fleming left hand rule; if your left hand thumb, fore finger and middle finger are at 90
degree to each other. Then the magnetic field would be along the fore finger, current across the
middle while the force along the thumb.
When current flows in the coil on the aluminum former; a magnetic field is produced in the coil in
proportion to the current flow. This electromagnetic force along with static magnetic field from the
permanent magnet produce the deflection force in the coil. The spring then produce the controlling
force to oppose further deflection; Thus helps in balancing the pointer.
Then damping force is produced in the system by the movement of aluminum core in the magnetic
field. It keeps the pointer fixed to a position after it reach equilibrium with the controlling and
deflection torque; providing better precision in measurement.

Working Equation
The equation for deflection torque in PMMC is:-
TF = NBLdI
=KI
Where, K is a constant. Now Here;
N = No of Turns in coil.
L = Coil length
B = Flux Density
D = Coil Breadth
So, the following equation can also be written as;
T = NBIA
Where, A = L X D = Effective Area.
Since, controlling torque produced by the springs mounted on jewel bearing is proportional to the
deflecting angle.
Here;
Ts = Kθ
Where,
K = Spring Constant and θ = Angular moment of the coil.
Now, Since the controlling and deflecting torque should be in equilibrium; We have:-
TF = Ts
GI = Kθ
so, θ =
GK× I
This equation shows that the deflection ( θ ) of PMMC equipment is proportional to the current flow
( I ).

Possible cause for error in PMMC Equipment?

1.Error due to magnetism

Permanent magnet loose their magnetism with time; this is called magnet aging. With plenty of heat
and vibration on ship ( Specially Engine Room ); There is reduction of magnetism due to accelerated
aging. This decrease in magnetic strength reduce the coil deflection affecting the readings.

2.Error due to Temperature Difference

Moving Coil of PMMC instrument is made up of copper wires; the temperature coefficients of
copper wire is known to be 0.004 per degree Celsius. So with increase in temperature, there will be
high increase in its resistance altering the actual reading.
3.Error Due to Spring
Aging leads to weakening of spring tension; this results in decreased deflection of the moving coil.
This error is opposite to that of the error due to magnetic aging and sometimes cancel each other to
reduce much difference in the final readings.

Advantages of Using PMMC Equipment

1. High weight to torque ratio.
2. It has pointer deflection proportional to the current; which makes the scale more uniform over
arc of 270 degree.
3. It consumes much less power than other alternatives.
4. No hysteresis loss.
5. Unaffected by stray magnetic field; perfect equipment for on-board applications.
6. All purpose equipment; can be used as ammeter, voltmeter and galvanometer.

Disadvantages of using PMMC Equipment

1. It only works for Direct current ( D.C ).
2. It’s costly than its other alternatives.
3. It can show false reading due to above stated reasons ( Cause of errors in permanent magnet
moving coil instrument ).
Why PMMC is not used for A.C ?
One of the most common and obvious questions out of curiosity; its not strange that we ask why its
not used for A.C and what will happen if we connect it to A.C? Actually, in Permanent magnet
moving coil instrument the deflection torque is directly proportional to the current. This stat’s that,
torque will reverse every 180 degree of alternating current. It happens due to the switch in magnetic
polarity of electromagnet.
A PMMC equipment have two permanent magnet or a large U shaped magnet with an electromagnet
in the form of moving coil. There is a switch in magnetic polarity for this electromagnet every half
cycle if we connect it to alternating current. Due to this equal and opposite deflection every 180
degree of alternating current; we will get a net torque of zero. This is why we don’t use PMMC
instrument for Alternating current.
MOVING IRON INSTRUMENTS
This instrument is one of the most primitive forms of measuring and relay instrument. Moving iron
type instruments are of mainly two types. Attraction type and repulsion type instrument.
Whenever a piece of iron is placed nearer to a magnet it would be attracted by the magnet. The force
of this attraction depends upon the strength said magnetic field. If the magnet is electromagnet then
the magnetic field strength can easily be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing current
through its coil.
Accordingly the attraction force acting on the piece of iron would also be increased and decreased.
Depending upon this simple phenomenon attraction type moving iron instrument was developed.
Whenever two pieces of iron are kept side by side and a magnet is brought nearer to them the iron
pieces will repulse each other. This repulsion force is due to same magnetic poles induced in same
sides the iron pieces due external magnetic field.
This repulsion force increases if field strength of the magnet is increased. Like case if the magnet is
electromagnet, then magnetic field strength can easily be controlled by controlling input current to
the magnet. Hence if the current increases the repulsion force between the pieces of iron is increased
and it the current decreases the repulsion force between them is decreased. Depending upon this
phenomenon repulsion type moving iron instrument was constructed.
Construction of Moving Iron Instrument
The basic construction of attraction type moving iron instrument is illustrated bellow
A thin disc of soft iron is eccentrically pivoted in front of a coil. This iron tends to move inward that
is from weaker magnetic field to stronger magnetic field when current flowing through the coil. In
attraction moving instrument gravity control was used previously but now gravity control method is
replaced by spring control in relatively modern instrument. By adjusting balance weight null
deflection of the pointer is achieved. The required damping force is provided in this instrument by
air friction. The figure shows a typical type of damping system provided in the instrument, where
damping is achieved by a moving piston in an air syringe.

Theory of Attraction Type Moving Iron Instrument

Suppose when there is no current through the coil, the pointer is at zero, the angle made by the axis
of the iron disc with the line perpendicular to the field is φ. Now due current I and corresponding
magnetic field strength, the iron piece is deflected to an angle θ. Now component of H in the
direction of defected iron disc axis is Hcos{90 – (θ + φ) or Hsin (θ + φ). Now force F acting on the
disc inward to the coil is thus proportional to H2sin(θ + φ) hence the force is also proportional to
I2sin(θ + φ) for constant permeability. If this force is acting on the disc at a distance l from the pivot,
then deflection torque,

Since l is constant.

Where, k is constant.
Now, as the instrument is gravity controlled, controlling torque will be
Where, k’ is constant.
At steady state condition,

Where, K is constant.