PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT
MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
INDEX
OBJECTIVE:
lo understand the working and principles of moving coil galvanometer

INTRODUCTION:
electrical current or a
is aninstrument used for measuring small
aivanometer The deflection
is a
function of the current by deflection of a moving coil.
the current.
mechanical rotation derived from forces resulting from
measure electric
which is used to
A moving coil galvanometer is an instrument low
currents. lt is a sensitive electromagnetic device
which can measure
on the
currents even of the order of a few microamperes. Depending
the
for measuring
requirement, this device can be used as a current detector or
value of the current(ammeter) or voltage (voltmeter).

PRINCIPLE:
that a current carrying coil
Moving coil galvanometer works on the principle
placed in a magnetic field experiences torque.
a
CONSTRUCTION: about a
to rotate
turns, free
h e galvanometer consists of a coil with multiple

fixed axis in a uniform radial magnetic field.

the strengthn
field radial and increase
iron is kept to make the
Cynarical soft
of magnetic field.
deflection.
A scale and pointer is added to observethe
A spring (Sp) is attached to provide counter torque.
soft iron core.
Permanent magnets are placed either side of the

trr

picnt
orr
 WORKING OF MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER

Let a current I flow through the rectangular coil of n number of turns and a

cross-sectional area A. When this coil is placed in a uniform radial magnenc

field B, the coil experiences a torque t.
Let us first consider a single turn ABCD of the rectangular coil having a length
and breadth b. This is suspended in a magnetic field of strength B such that the
plane of the coil is parallel to the magnetic field. Since the sides AB and DC are
parallel to the direction of the magnetic field, they do not experience any
effective force due to the magnetic field. The sides AD and BC being
perpendicular to the direction of field experience an effective force F given by F
= BIl

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it

F
D

b
Using Fleming's left-hand rule we can determine that the forces on AD and Bc
forces F called
are opposite direction to each other. When equal and opposite
in
the coil to
couple acts on the coil, it produces a torque. This torque causes
deflect.
the forces
We know that torque t = force x perpendicular distance between
T=Fxb

Substituting the value of F we already know,

Torque t acting on single-loop ABCD of the coil = BIl xb

Where Ix b is the area A of the coil,

Hence the torque acting on n turns of the coil is given by

T= nIAB
The magnetic torque thus produced causes the coil to rotate, and the phosphor
bronze strip twists. In turn, the spring S attached to the coil produces a counter
deflection.
torque or restoring torque k6 which results in a steady angular
Under equilibrium condition:

ke nIABB
Here k is called the torsional constant of the spring (restoring couple per unit
twist). The deflection or twist 8 is measured as the value indicated on a scale by
a pointer which is connected to the suspension wire.

-(nAB/ k)}I
Therefore 0 «I

The quantity nAB/k is a constant for a given galvanometer. Hence it is

understood that the deflection that occurs the galvanometer is directly
proportional to the current that flows through it.
SENSITIVITY OF MOVING Cou GALVANOMETER

The general definition of the sensitivity experienced by a moving cOl

galvanometer is given as the ratio of change in deflection of the
the gava
change in current in the coil.
S d0/dI

The sensitivity of a galvanometer is higher if the instrument shoWs largol

deflection for a small value of current. Sensitivity is of two types, namely
current sensitivity and voltage sensitivity.
Current Sensitivity
The deflection 0 per unit current I is
known as current sensitivity 8/1
e/1 nAB/k

Voltage Sensitivity
The deflection 6 per unit
voltage is known as Voltage sensitivity 6/V. Dividing
both sides by V in the equation - (nAB/
k)I;
6/V=(nAB/V k)I (nAB/ k)(UV) (nAB /k)(1/R)
=
=

R stands for the effective resistance in the circuit.

It is worth noting that voltage sensitivity Current sensitivity/ Resistance of
=

coil. the
Therefore, under the condition that R remains constant;
o Current sensitivity. voltage sensitivity
 FIGURE OF MERIT OF A GALVANOMETER
It is the ratio of the full-scale ons
deflection current and the number of gra
on the scale of the
instrument. It also the reciprocal of the current sensiuvity o
a galvanometer.

FACTORS AFFECTING SENSITIVITY OF A

GALVANOMETER
a) Number of turns in the coil

b) Area of the coil

c) Magnetic field strength B

d) The magnitude of couple per unit twist k/nAB

APPLICATIONS OF GALVANOMETER
The moving coil galvanometer is a highly sensitive instrument due to which it
can be used to detect the presence of current in any given circuit. If a
galvanometer is a connected in a Wheatstone's bridge circuit, the pointer in the
galvanometer shows null deflection, i.e no current flows through the device.
The pointer deflects to the left or right depending on the direction of the current.

The galvanometer can be used to measure:

a) the value of current in the circuit by connecting it in parallel to low

resistance.

b) the voltage by connecting it in series with high resistance

 k

CONVERSION OF GALVANOMETER TO AMMETEK

a
A galvanometer is converted into an ammeter by connecting it in parallel wiur
low resistance calledshunt resistance. Suitable shunt resistance is
depending on the range of the ammeter.
enO

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ot lan
ALnmove (

W-
S
Ammeter

In the given circuit

RG-Resistance of the galvanometer

G-Galvanometer coil
I-Total current passing through the circuit
IG-Total current passing through the galvanometer which corresponds to full-
scale reading

R- Value of shunt resistance

When current lo passes through the galvanometer, the curent through the shunt
resistance is given by Is = I - la. The voltages across the galvanometer and shunt

resistance are equal due to the parallel nature of their connection.

Therefore Ro .lc= (1- Io).R,
The value of S can be obtained using the above
equation.

CONVERSION OF GALVANOMETER TO VOLTMETEK

A
galvanometer is converted into a
high resistance.
A suitable
voltmeter by connecting it in series with
the voltmeter. high resistance is chosen depending on the rang of

m o v e 1 t

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Voltmeter
In the given circuit
Rg Resistance of the galvanometer
R=Value of high resistance
G= Galvanometer coil
I= Total current
passing through the circuit
IG Total current passing
through the galvanometer which
full-scale deflection. corresponds to a
V= Voltage drop across the series connection of
resistance. galvanometer and high
When current la
passes through the series combination of the
voltage drop across the branch ab is galvanometer and
the high resistance R; the
given by
V= RG.lG +R.lg
The value of R can be obtained
using the above equation

m Vcie
 MOVING
DISADVANTAGES OF A
ADVANTAGES AND
COIL GALVANOMETER

Advantages

High sensitivity.
Not easily affected by stray magnetic fields.
The torque to weight ratio is high.
High accuracy and reliability.
Disadvantages
I t can be used only to measure direct currents.
the instrument, permanent
Develops errors due to factors like aging of
stress.
magnets and damage of spring due to mechanical
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. www.wikipedia.com
2, https://byjus.com/jee/galvanometer/

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