Galvanometer

A galvanometer is a device that is used to detect a small electric current or measure

its magnitude. The current and its intensity are usually indicated by a magnetic
needle’s movement or that of a coil in a magnetic field, which is an important part
of a galvanometer.

Since its discovery in the 1800s, the galvanometer has seen many iterations. Some of
the different types of galvanometer include Tangent galvanometer, Astatic
galvanometer, Mirror galvanometer and Ballistic galvanometer. However, today, the
main type of galvanometer that is used widely is the D’Arsonval/Weston type or the
moving coil type. A galvanometer is basically a historical name that has been given to
a moving coil electric current detector.

What Is a Moving Coil Galvanometer?

A moving coil galvanometer is an instrument which is used to measure electric
currents. It is a sensitive electromagnetic device which can measure low currents even
of the order of a few microamperes.

Moving-coil galvanometers are mainly divided into two types.

1.Suspended coil galvanometer

2.ivoted-coil or Weston galvanometer

Moving Coil Galvanometer Principle

A current-carrying coil, when placed in an external magnetic field, experiences
magnetic torque. The angle through which the coil is deflected due to the effect of
the magnetic torque is proportional to the magnitude of current in the coil.

Moving Coil Galvanometer Construction and Diagram

The moving coil galvanometer is made up of a rectangular coil that has many turns,
and it is usually made of thinly insulated or fine copper wire that is wounded on a
metallic frame. The coil is free to rotate about a fixed axis. A phosphor-bronze strip
that is connected to a movable torsion head is used to suspend the coil in a uniform
radial magnetic field.
Essential properties of the material used for the suspension of the coil are
conductivity and a low value of the torsional constant. A cylindrical soft iron core is
symmetrically positioned inside the coil to improve the strength of the magnetic field
and to make the field radial. The lower part of the coil is attached to a phosphor-
bronze spring having a small number of turns. The other end of the spring is
connected to binding screws.

Also Read: Alternating Current

The spring is used to produce a counter torque which balances the magnetic torque
and hence helps in producing a steady angular deflection. A plane mirror which is
attached to the suspension wire, along with a lamp and scale arrangement, is used to
measure the deflection of the coil. The zero-point of the scale is at the centre.

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 magnetic field B, the
coil experiences a torque τ.
Let us first consider a single turn ABCD of the rectangular coil having a length l
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 the field, experience an effective force F given by F = BIl

Using Fleming’s left-hand rule, we can determine that the forces on AD and BC are
in opposite directions to each other. When equal and opposite forces F called couple
acts on the coil, it produces a torque. This torque causes the coil to deflect.

We know that torque τ = Force x Perpendicular distance between the forces

τ = F × b

Substituting the value of F, we already know,

Torque τ acting on single-loop ABCD of the coil = BIl × b

Where lx b is the area A of the coil,

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

τ = 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 torque or
restoring torque kθ, which results in a steady angular deflection.
Under an equilibrium condition,

kθ = nIAB

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

θ= ( nAB / k)I

Therefore, θ ∝ I

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

that the deflection that occurs in the galvanometer is directly proportional to the
current that flows through it.

Solved question: What is the purpose of introducing a cylindrical soft iron core inside
the moving coil galvanometer?

Solution: The cylindrical soft iron core placed inside the galvanometer increases the
magnetic field strength, thereby improving the sensitivity of the instrument. It also
makes the magnetic field radial so that the angle between the plane of the coil and
the magnetic lines of force remains zero at all times during the rotation of the coil.

Sensitivity of Moving Coil Galvanometer

The general definition of the sensitivity experienced by a moving coil galvanometer is
given as the ratio of change in deflection of the galvanometer to the change in
current in the coil.

S = dθ/dI

The sensitivity of a galvanometer is higher if the instrument shows a larger

deflection for a small value of current. Sensitivity is of two types, namely, current
sensitivity and voltage sensitivity.

Current Sensitivity

The deflection θ per unit current I is known as current sensitivity θ/I

θ/I = nAB/k

Voltage Sensitivity
The deflection θ per unit voltage is known as voltage sensitivity θ/V. Dividing both
sides by V in the equation θ= (nAB / k)I

θ/V= (nAB /V k)I = (nAB / k)(I/V) = (nAB /k)(1/R)

R stands for the effective resistance in the circuit.

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

Therefore, under the condition that R remains constant, Voltage sensitivity ∝ Current
sensitivity.

Figure of Merit of a Galvanometer

It is the ratio of the full-scale deflection current and the number of graduations on
the scale of the instrument. It is also the reciprocal of the current sensitivity of a
galvanometer.

Factors Affecting the Sensitivity of a Galvanometer

a) Number of turns in the coil

b) Area of the coil

c) Magnetic field strength B

Also Read: Ohms Law and Resistance

As we know that voltage sensitivity θ/V = (nAB /k)(1/R); the overall value of voltage
sensitivity remains unchanged.

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
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.

Conversion of Galvanometer to Ammeter

A galvanometer is converted into an ammeter by connecting it in parallel with a low
resistance called shunt resistance. Suitable shunt resistance is chosen depending on
the range of the 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

Rs – Value of shunt resistance

When current IG passes through the galvanometer, the current through the shunt
resistance is given by IS = I – IG. The voltages across the galvanometer and shunt
resistance are equal due to the parallel nature of their connection.

Therefore, RG .IG= (I- IG).Rs

The value of S can be obtained using the above equation.

Conversion of Galvanometer to Voltmeter
A galvanometer is converted into a voltmeter by connecting it in series with high
resistance. A suitable high resistance is chosen depending on the range of the
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 corresponds to a full-

scale deflection

V = Voltage drop across the series connection of galvanometer and high resistance

When current IG passes through the series combination of the galvanometer and the
high resistance R, the voltage drop across the branch ab is given by

V= RG.IG + R.IG

The value of R can be obtained using the above equation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Moving Coil Galvanometer

Advantages
High sensitivity

Not easily affected by stray magnetic fields

The torque to weight ratio is high

High accuracy and reliability

Disadvantages

It can be used only to measure direct currents.

Develops errors due to factors like ageing of the instrument, permanent magnets and
damage of spring due to mechanical stress.