University of Technology ‫الجامعة التكنولوجية‬

Department of Communication ‫قسم هندسة األتصاالت‬

Engineering

Report Title : D.C Ammeter

Course Name : Measurements & ‫ قياسات واجهزة‬: ‫اسم المادة‬

Instruments

Student’s Name : Mousa Saad Luaibi ‫ موسى سعد لعيبي فهد‬: ‫اسم الطالب‬
Fahad

‫ صباحي‬: ‫نوع الدراسة‬

Stage : First ‫ االولى‬: ‫المرحلة‬

2020-2019 : ‫السنة الدراسية‬

 Contents

Cover ……………………………………………………………………….… 1

Contents …………………………………………………………..………….. 2

Objectives …………………………………………………………………….. 3

Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 3

Permanent Magnet Moving Coil ….……………………….……..…...…….. 3

Extension Of Ammeter Range …...………………...……………………….. 4

Range Extension Methods …………..…………..……………...…………... 4

Problems ……………….………………………………………..…………..... 6

Summary ………………………………………..……………………….…… 8

References Of The Report ……………………....………………………..…. 9

 w

Objectives

❖ An introduction to the ammeter, its types, and the definition of a DC meter.

❖ Understand the mechanism of working of DC ammeter.
❖ Knowing the methods used for measurement by DC ammeter and explaining theories
thereof.
❖ Solve some problems related to DC ammeter.

Introduction

Early ammeters were laboratory instruments that relied

on the Earth's magnetic field for operation, by the late
19th century, improved instruments were designed
which could be mounted in any position and allowed
accurate measurements in electric power systems, it is
generally represented by letter 'A' in a circuit, The
most important types are : ( Moving-coil, Moving
magnet, Electrodynamic, Moving-iron, Hot-wire, Digital, Integrating). Figure : 1
[

Permanent Magnet Moving Coil

One kind of moving coil tool is "permanent magnet moving coil" which can measure DC
current and voltage only, A PMMC meter places a coil of wire (i.e. a conductor) inbetween
two permanent magnets in order to create stationary magnetic field. According to Faraday’s
Laws of electromagnetic induction, a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field
will experience a force in the direction determined by Fleming’s left hand rule, The
magnitude (strength) of this force will be proportional to the amount of current through the
wire. A pointer is attached to the end of the wire and it is put along a scale, When the torques
are balanced the moving coil will stop, and its angular deflection can be measured by the
scale. If the permanent magnet fiel is uniform and the spring linear, then the pointer
deflection is also linear. Hence we can use this linear relationship to determine the amount of
electrical current passing through the wire.

From the aforementioned we can define a DC current meter : is a device to measure DC

through a coil by observing the coil’s angular deflection in a uniform magnetic field, and the
coil surrounded by a fixed magnet, and linked to pointing vane which is the indicator needle
for the current meter in the milliampere or microampere range.
 Extension Of Ammeter Range

To measure the electrical current, the ammeter is connected in series

with the branch of the circuit and then the current flowing is measured
as the real measuring devices have an internal resistance symbolizes it
(Rm), Note figure : 2 , this enables us to measure a small current in
microampere or milliampere, Therefore we need to develop its range to Figure : 2
be able to measure high currents and this is done by : placing a low resistance in parallel
with moving coil resistance, This low resistance is called a "shunt" and symbolizes it (Rsh)
and its function is to provide an alternative path, for the total current around the meter
movement. Note figure : 3 .

Can be found (Rsh) from the following derivation :

1. Since the circuit is connected in parallel, the voltage is

equal on both ends of (Rm) and (Rsh), thus:
Vm = Vsh Figure : 3
Im * Rm = Ish * Rsh …………… equation : 1

2. Using the law of dividing current we can find (Ish) :

IT = Ish + Im =====> Ish = IT - Im …………. equation : 2

3. We substitute equation : 2 it into an equation : 1

Im * Rm = (IT - Im) * Rsh

𝑰𝒎 × 𝑹𝒎
∴ 𝑹𝒔𝒉 =
𝑰𝑻 − 𝑰𝒎
Ty

Range Extension Methods

The previous development that we learned illustrates the method for developing an ammeter
to measure a single DC current by developing the ammeter readings, but if we want to
measure several currents, we cannot implement this
in the previous ammeter. Therefore, there are two
methods for measuring several currents and also by
developing the ammeter readings :

1. Direct Method : This method is implemented by

connecting several resistors shunt in parallel with Figure : 4
 the ammeter resistance, since each shunt resistance is used to measure one current only.
The control and movement between the resistors shunt connected in parallel with the
ammeter resistance is done through a switch. Note figure: 4, The ammeter in this case is
called "multirange ammeter".
Depending on the law of finding (Rsh) the law of the direct method can be found :

𝑰𝒎 × 𝑹𝒎 𝑰𝒎 × 𝑹𝒎
𝑹𝒔𝒉 = → 𝑹𝒔𝒉∗ =
𝑰𝑻 − 𝑰𝒎 𝑰𝒓∗ − 𝑰𝒎

2. Indirect Method : The previous method has many

risks, the most important of which is (that the
moment the switch is transferred to the other
resistance shunt "the switch is moved from one
resistor shunt and connected to another, so that it
becomes connected in parallel with the ammeter
resistance," the current will not pass through one of
the resistors shunt and go completely and directly to
the ammeter with a low resistance then it is damaged
and damaged so I found an indirect method and it
can be implemented by : Connecting the series Figure : 5
resistors shunt with each other so that their equivalent "the total resistance of the resistors
shunt connected in series with each other" is connected in parallel with the resistance of
the ammeter , Note figure : 5, The ammeter in this case is called an ” Ayrton shunt” :

𝑰𝒓∗ 𝑹𝒎 + 𝑹
=
𝑰𝒎 𝒓∗

Clarification (r*) : Before that, we must understand what is the corresponding resistance?
According to the current divider rule , it is : the resistance that a current does not pass when
it passes a certain resistance, and in simple words, it is "the resistance that is connected in
parallel with another resistance."

➢ When we want to find a resistance (Ir1), then we will connect the positive terminal of the
circuit to the point (A) then the current will flow in the circuit and branch in the point (C)
where a part of it goes to the points (I,K,F,G) and a section goes to the two point
(D,E,F,G) and enters the ammeter, so the corresponding resistance of the ammeter in this
case = Ra + Rb + Rc .
➢ When we want to find a resistance (Ir2), then we will connect the positive terminal of the
circuit to the point (H) then the current will flow in the circuit and branch in the point (I)
where a part of it goes to the points (K,F,G) and a section goes to the two point
(C,D,E,F,G) and enters the ammeter, so the corresponding resistance of the ammeter in
this case = Rb + Rc , Because (Ra) will be connected in series with the resistance of the
ammeter in this case.
➢ When we want to find a resistance (Ir3), then we will connect the positive terminal of the
circuit to the point (J) then the current will flow in the circuit and branch in the point (K)
where a part of it goes to the points (F,G) and a section goes to the two point
(I,C,D,E,F,G) and enters the ammeter, so the corresponding resistance of the ammeter in
this case = Rc , Because (Ra , Rb) will be connected in series with the resistance of the
ammeter in this case.

Problems

Problem 1 || If PMMC meter have internal resistance of 100Ω and full scale range of 1mA
and we wish to increase the meter range to 10A , Find to that .

Solve :
𝐼𝑚 × 𝑅𝑚 (1 × 10−3 ) × 100 0.1
𝑅𝑠ℎ = = = = 0.0101 Ω
𝐼𝑇 − 𝐼𝑚 10 − (1 × 10−3 ) 10 − 0.1

Problem 2 || Design a multirange ammeter by using direct method to give the following
ranges : 100mA, 100A If d’Arsonval meter have internal resistance of 100Ω and full scale
current of 1mA.

Solve :

𝐼𝑚 × 𝑅𝑚 (1 × 10−3 ) × 100 0.1

𝑅𝑠ℎ1 = = = = 1.0101 Ω
𝐼𝑟1 − 𝐼𝑚 (100 × 10−3 ) − (1 × 10−3 ) 0.099

𝐼𝑚 × 𝑅𝑚 (1 × 10−3 ) × 100 0.1

𝑅𝑠ℎ2 = = = = 0.001 Ω
𝐼𝑟2 − 𝐼𝑚 100 − (1 × 10−3 ) 99.999
Problem 3 || Design an Ayrton shunt by indirect method to provide an ammeter with current
ranges 10A, 100A, and 1000A, if PMMC meter have internal resistance of 10Ω and full
scale current of 1mA.

Solve :

𝐼𝑟∗ 𝑅𝑚 + 𝑅 𝐼𝑟1 𝑅𝑚 + 𝑅 10 10 + 𝑅
𝐴. 10𝐴 ∶ = → = → =
𝐼𝑚 𝑟∗ 𝐼𝑚 𝑅 0.001 𝑅
10𝑅 = 0.01 + 0.001𝑅 → 10𝑅 − 0.001𝑅 = 0.01 → 9.999𝑅 = 0.001
0.001
𝑅= = 0.1Ω
9.999

𝐼𝑟∗ 𝑅𝑚 + 𝑅 𝐼𝑟2 𝑅𝑚 + 𝑅 100 10 + 0.1

𝐵. 100𝐴 ∶ = → = → =
𝐼𝑚 𝑟∗ 𝐼𝑚 𝑅𝑏 + 𝑅𝑐 0.001 𝑅𝑏 + 𝑅𝑐
{100𝑅𝑏 + 100𝑅𝑐 = 0.0101} ÷ 100 → 𝑅𝑏 + 𝑅𝑐 = 0.000101Ω
𝑅𝑎 = 𝑅-(𝑅𝑏 + 𝑅𝑐 ) = 0.099899Ω

𝐼𝑟∗ 𝑅𝑚 + 𝑅 𝐼𝑟3 𝑅𝑚 + 𝑅 1000 10 + 0.1

𝐶. 1000𝐴 ∶ = → = → =
𝐼𝑚 𝑟∗ 𝐼𝑚 𝑅𝑐 0.001 𝑅𝑐
0.0101
1000𝑅𝑐 = 0.0101 → 𝑅𝑐 = = 0.0000101Ω
1000
 Summary

• The ammeter is used as a device to measure the electric current and one of its types is
(Moving Coil) and (PMMC) one of the most important types as it is used to measure the
low constant current (1µA – 1mA).

• DC current meter : is a device to measure DC through a coil by observing the coil’s

angular deflection in a uniform magnetic field, and the coil surrounded by a fixed
magnet, and linked to pointing vane which is the indicator needle for the current meter in
the milliampere or microampere range.

• The ammeter can be developed to measure higher currents by connecting a resistor shunt
in parallel with the ammeter :
𝑰𝒎 × 𝑹 𝒎
𝑹𝒔𝒉 =
𝑰𝑻 − 𝑰𝒎

• Direct Method : Several high currents can be measured by developing an ammeter, as

resistors shunt are connected in parallel with the ammeter and are controlled through a
switch called an ammeter in this case " multirange ammeter" :

𝑰𝒎 × 𝑹 𝒎
𝑹𝒔𝒉∗ =
𝑰𝒓∗ − 𝑰𝒎

• Indirect Method : In order to avoid the Ammeter damage and damage due to the passage
of high current to the ammeter at the moment of transition from one resistor shunt to
another which occurs in "direct method" , this method is resorted to as it is done by
connecting the resistances shunt that are carried in series with each other and their
equivalent is linked parallel to the ameter, The ammeters in this case are called "Ayrton
shunt" :

𝑰𝒓∗ 𝑹𝒎 + 𝑹
=
𝑰𝒎 𝒓∗
 References Of The Report

1. Electronic Instrumentation And Measurement Techniques , By : William David Cooper ,

Prentice - Hall Of India , The pages from 58 to 69 and from 90 to 91 .

2. Measureements and Instrumentation Theory and Application , 2th , 2012-2016 , By :

Alan S. Morris & Reza Langari , The pages from 244 to 246 .

3. A COURSE IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC MEASUREMENTS AND

INSTRUMENTATION , 4th , 1983 , By : A. K. SAWHNEY , The pages from 140 to
191 .

4. An Introduction to ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT

SYSTEM , 2th , 1981 , By : B. A. Gregory , The pages from 53 to 97 .

5. Measurement & Instrumentation Principles , By : Alan S. Morris , 2001 , The pages from
124 to 125 .