AMITY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS

UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] EEE-Amity School of Engineering & Technology

Presentation on

Measuring Instruments
Module-III Basic Electrical Engineering
[ES103]
Apr 2024
Credit By Dr R K Viral
M: 9897675190, [email protected]
 AMITY
Outline UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [ DELHI-NCR ]

▪ Types of instruments,

▪ Construction and working principles of PMMC and moving

Lecture--45
iron type voltmeters & ammeters,

▪ Single phase dynamometer wattmeter,

▪ Use of shunts and multipliers (Simple numerical problems on

shunts and multipliers).

2
AMITY
UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Introduction ASET-EEE

• Measurement:
It is the act or result of quantitative comparison between a
predefined standard and an unknown quantity.
• Instrument:
It is a device or mechanism used to determine the present value of
a quantity under observation.
AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Introduction ASET-EEE
AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Introduction ASET-EEE
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Classification of Instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Classification of Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]
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• Classification based on the nature of operation:

➢Secondary instruments are further classified according to the nature of
operation as:
1. Indicating
2. Recording
3. Integrating instruments.
➢ Indicating instruments indicate the instantaneous value of quantity
under measurement.

Continued…
AMITY
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➢Recording instruments give a continuous record of variation of quantity

being measured (such as voltage, frequency, power etc.). Recorders are
commonly used in power plants, process industries.

➢An integrating instrument is one which takes into consideration the period
or the time over which the quantity is supplied. e.g. ampere-hour meter,
energy meter.

Continued…
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• Electrical instruments can also classified as:

1. A.C. instruments

2. D.C. instruments

3. A.C./D.C. instruments

➢ Some electrical instruments can measure only A.C. quantity, e.g. induction
type instruments, some can measure only D.C. quantity, e.g. P.M.M.C.
instruments. Some can work on both a.c. and d.c. e.g. moving iron
instruments, dynamometer instruments etc.

Continued…
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• Analog or Digital instruments:

➢One more way of classifying instrument is:
1. Analog instruments
2. Digital instruments.
➢ Analog information is continuous and
stepless function of time. Analog instruments
are easy to understand, calibrate and
maintain.
➢ Digital information is in form of discrete
pulses or steps. Digital instruments have
Continued…
higher resolution, high readability.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Operation of Indicating Instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

(“ Deflection Instruments and AC/DC ”)

(Permanent Magnet Moving Coil (PMMC) instruments, Electro-dynamic
instruments, Moving iron instruments)

• For satisfactory operation of any indicating instrument, following three

torques must act together appropriately:
1. Deflecting torque
2. Controlling torque
3. Damping torque
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1. Deflecting Torque:
• It causes the moving system of the instrument to move from its position of rest.
• Deflecting torque is produced by using any one of the following effects of electric
current:
i. Magnetic effect
ii. Electromagnetic induction effect
iii.Heating effect
iv.Electrostatic effect
2. Controlling Torque:
• It limits the movement of moving systems. It also ensures that magnitude of deflection
is always the same for the given value of input quantity under measurement.
• Controlling torque acts in the opposite direction to that of the deflecting torque.
• At steady state, Deflecting torque = Controlling torque
Continued…
 AMITY
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3. Damping Torque:
• Due to deflecting torque, pointer moves in one direction while due to controlling torque
pointer moves in opposite direction.
• Due to these opposite torques; the pointer may oscillate in the forward and backward
direction if the damping torque is not present.
• Damping torque brings the moving system to rest quickly in its final position.
• Damping torque acts only when the moving system is actually moving. If moving system is
at rest, damping torque is zero.

Continued…
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Connection Diagrams ASET-EEE
• Connection diagram of an Ammeter:
• Connection diagram of a voltmeter:
➢ Ammeter is used for the measurement of
current. ➢ A voltmeter is used for the measurement of voltage
(potential difference).
➢ An ammeter is always connected in series
with the load, the current through which is ➢ So it is connected across the points between which the
to be measured as shown in fig.(1). potential difference is to be measured.

➢ Since the resistance offered by an ammeter ➢ A voltmeter has a high resistance, so it draws very small
is very small, its introduction in series with current. The connection of a voltmeter is as shown in
load does not alter the circuit conditions. fig.(2).

Fig.(1): connection of an ammeter Fig.(2): connection diagram of voltmeter

 AMITY
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• Comparison of Ammeter and Voltmeter:

Sr. No. Parameter Ammeter Voltmeter

1. Quantity Current Voltage
measured
2. Connected in Series with load Parallel with load

3. Resistance Low High

4. Connection Refer fig.(1) Refer fig.(2)
Diagram

Continued…
AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Moving Coil Instruments ASET-EEE

• Moving coil instruments (ammeter and voltmeter) are of two types:

1. Permanent magnet moving coil type (PMMC) used only for D.C.
2. Dynamometer type can be used for AC as well DC.
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1. PMMC Instruments:
➢ They are also known as d’Arsonval instruments.
➢ These instruments works on the electromagnetic effect of current.
➢ A permanent magnet used to produce magnetic flux and coil that
carries the current to be measures moves in this field.

Continued…
 AMITY
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Fundamental of PMMC ASET-EEE

Magnetic field generated by a current carrying conductor and force exerted on such a
conductor as it is inserted in a magnetic field as illustrated by Figures .The magnitude of
the force on the conductor depends on the magnitude of the current which it carries. The
force is a maximum when the current flows perpendicular to the field and it is zero when it
flows parallel to the field as illustrated in diagrams A and B respectively in Figure .

Continued…
AMITY
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• Working principle:
➢When a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a
force. It is given by expression,
F = BIL
Where F = Force in Newton,
B = Flux density is tesla,
I = Current is ampere,
L = Length of conductor in meter.

➢The current I which is to be measured is passed through the moving coil and
experiences a force which is directly proportional to this current.
➢Due to this force the coil moves and the pointer attached to it will also move.
➢The angle through which the pointer moves is proportional to current I.

Continued…
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• Construction of PMMC instrument:

➢A coil of thin wire is mounted on an aluminum frame (spindle) positioned
between the poles of a U shaped permanent magnet which is made up of
magnetic alloys like alnico.
➢The coil is pivoted on the jewelled bearing and thus the coil is free to
rotate. The current is fed to the coil through spiral springs which are two
in numbers.
➢ The coil which carries a current, which is to be measured, moves in a
strong magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet and a pointer is
attached to the spindle which shows the measured value.

Continued…
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Fig.(1): construction of PMMC instrument Continued…

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Real setup of PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE

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• A permanent magnet with two soft-iron pole shoes

• A cylindrical soft-iron core is positioned between the shoes
• One of the two controlling spiral springs is shown.
• One end of this spring is fastened to the pivoted coil, and the other end is
connected to an adjustable zero-position control
• The current in the coil must flow in one direction to cause the pointer to move
from the zero position over the scale
• The terminals (+) and (–) indicate the correct polarity for connection, and the
instrument is said to be polarized.
• It cannot be used directly to measure alternating current Without rectifiers, it is
purely a dc instrument

Continued…
 AMITY
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• Deflecting Torque:
➢It can be proved that the expression for the deflecting
torque is given by,
Td = G x I
where G = constant
I = Current through the moving coil
➢For steady state, the controlling torque
• Controlling Torque: is equal to the deflection torque
➢The controlling torque is given by,
∴ Tc = Td
Tc = C. θ
i.e. Cθ = GI
where C = Control spring constant in N-m/rad
∴θ∝I
θ = Deflection of coil from zero position
➢Thus deflection of the pointer is
proportional to current passed through
the coil.

Continued…
AMITY
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• Advantages of PMMC Instruments:

1. The PMMC consumes less power and has great accuracy.
2. It has uniformly divided scale and can cover arc of 270 degree.
3. The PMMC has a high torque to weight ratio.
4. It can be modified as ammeter or voltmeter with suitable resistance.
5. It produces no losses due to hysteresis.
6. Linear scale .
7. Simple cosntruction.
8. Can be constructed with very high sensitivity ( if taut band suspension is
used).

Continued…
 AMITY
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• Disadvantages of PMMC Instruments:

1. Polarized : The moving coil instrument can only be used on D.C supply as the
reversal of current produces reversal of torque on the coil.
2. It’s very delicate and sometimes uses ac circuit with a rectifier.
3. It’s costly as compared to moving coil iron instruments.
4. It may show error due to loss of magnetism of permanent magnet.
5. External magnetic fields badly affect its operation. This can be avoided by
using core magnet type PMMC construction****.
6. Not very sensitive (to have sensitive device the taut band suspension must be
used: which is expensive).

Continued…
 AMITY
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Connection of PMMC instruments as 2. Voltmeter:

Ammeter or Voltmeter:
➢ When the instrument is used as a voltmeter, an
1. Ammeter: external resistance is connected in series with the
➢ When the instrument is used as an ammeter, an movement and this series combination is connected
external low resistance called shunt is connected in across supply terminals or load terminals or in general
parallel with the movement so that net resistance cross any two terminals where terminal voltage is to
of the instrument is very low and the instrument be measured.
can be connected in series with any equipment
whose current is to be measured. ➢ Due to high series resistance, current flowing through
the instrument is negligible.
➢ Due to low resistance, voltage drop across
instrument is negligible.

Fig.(2a): Connection as an ammeter

Fig.(2b): connection as a Continued…
voltmeter
AMITY
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Example 1 ASET-EEE

Q.A moving coil has following parameters: Area A= 2 cm2, N=90 turns, B= 0.2 Tesla, coil
resistance = 50, current I= 1 mA. Calculate:
a. Power dissipated by the coil;
P = 𝐼 2 𝑅𝑚 = (1 𝑋 10−3 ) 2 50 W = 5 X 10−5 W.
b. The electromagnetic torque established;
𝑇𝑒𝑚 =NBAI = 90x0.2x2x10-4x10−3 = 3.6x10−6 N-m
c. Assume that the electromagnetic torque of the coil is compensated by a spring torque and
the spring constant k = 3.6x 10−8 N-m/degrees. Find the angle of deflection of the coil at
equilibrium.
 = T / k = 100 
EM

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 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Example-2 ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

• Q. A moving coil instrument has the following data: # of turns of the coil =
100, width of the coil = 2 cm,
• length of the coil = 3 cm, flux density in the air gap = 0.1 Wb/m2 (Tesla).
• Calculate the deflection torque when carrying a current of 10 mA. Also
calculate the deflection (angle) if the control spring constant is 20x10-7 N-
m/degree.
• A = 6 𝑐𝑚2 and T= NBAI=100 x 0.1 X6X 10−4 x 10X 10−3 =60x10−6 N-m
60x10−6
• =T /k =
EM
−7 = 30 
20x10

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AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Use of Shunt and Multiplier ASET-EEE

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AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Use of Shunt and Multiplier ASET-EEE

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AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Use of Shunt and Multiplier ASET-EEE

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AMITY
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Example ASET-EEE

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AMITY
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Example ASET-EEE

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AMITY
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➢It is modification of PMMC instrument.

➢Permanent magnet in PMMC is replaced by two fixed coils.
• Principle of working:
➢It works on the principle that whenever a current carrying conductor is placed in a
magnetic field, force is exerted on the conductor.
➢In this case, fixed coils produced magnetic field. Moving coil carrying the current to be
measured is suspended in this magnetic field.
➢Hence it experiences a torque. The moving coil then rotates through an angle
proportional to the current flowing through the moving coil.
➢As the pointer is attached to the moving coil, we get the pointer deflection proportional
to the current to be measured.
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• Construction:
➢As shown in fig.(1), F1, F2 are two
identical circular, air cored coils. They are
connected in series and these coils are
placed in parallel to each other.
➢They produced a uniform magnetic field.
M is a light moving coils. It lies in the
magnetic field produced by F1, F2.
moving coil is supported by a spindle and
jeweled bearing.
➢Two control springs wound in opposite
directions are used as leads to pass current
in moving coil. These springs produce the
controlling torque. Damping torque is
obtained using air-friction damping. Fig.(1): Dynamometer type moving coil instrument
Continued…
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Fig.(1): Dynamometer type moving coil instrument Continued…

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• Advantages:
1. Used of iron is avoided. Hence it is free from hysteresis and eddy current
losses.
2. It is useful for both a.c. and d.c. measurements.
3. High degree of accuracy.
4. It can be used as a transfer instrument. It is often used as a standard
instrument for calibrating ammeter and volt meters.

Continued…
AMITY
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• Limitations:
1. Scale is nonlinear.
2. Torque to weight ratio is small.
3. It is an expensive instrument.
4. The instrument has low sensitivity.
5. Shielding should be provided to avoid effect of stray magnetic field.

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AMITY
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NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] Moving Iron (MI) instruments ASET-EEE

➢Where ruggedness is more important than high degree of accuracy, moving

iron instruments are used.
• Types of moving iron instruments:
1. Attraction type
2. Repulsion type
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1. Attraction type moving iron instrument:

• Construction of the attraction type moving iron instrument is as shown in the
given figure (1).
• The moving iron, i.e. the disc of soft iron, is eccentrically mounted. Coil is
situated around the disc. When the coil is excited it produces magnetic field.
• Due to magnetic field the moving iron moves from the weaker field outside the
coil to the stronger field inside the coil. Thus moving iron gets attracted inwards
and thus the name attraction type.
• The controlling torque is provided by the balance weights attached to the moving
iron. Spring also can be used to provide controlling torque.
• Damping is provided by air friction in which aluminum piston is attached to the
moving system and moves in a closed air damping chamber.

Continued…
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Fig.(1): attraction type moving instrument Continued…

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Continued…
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2. Repulsion type moving iron instrument:

• In these type of instruments there two vanes present inside the coil in which one is fixed
while other is movable. These both vanes gets similarly magnetized when coil is
excited. Thus there is a force of repulsion between both vanes causing movement in
movable vane. There are further two different designs of repulsion type moving iron
instruments.
i. Radial vane type:

• In radial vane type radial strips of iron are used as moving vanes. The fixed vane is
attached to the coil and moving is attached to the moving spindle.
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ii. Coaxial vane type:

• In coaxial vane type the fixed as well as moving vanes are the sections of
coaxial cylinders as shown in above figure.

The controlling torque is provided by the springs or balancing weights (in

vertically mounted instrument). The damping is provided by air friction
damping same as in attraction type moving iron instruments.

Continued…
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Fig.(2):Repulsion type Moving Iron Instrument Continued…

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Fig.(2):Repulsion type Moving Iron Instrument Continued…

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• Advantages of Moving iron Instruments:

1. Suitable of a.c. as well as d.c. measurements.
2. Good accuracy.
3. Cheaper in cost as compared to permanents magnet moving coil
instruments.
4. The instrument has high torque to weight ratio.
5. The instrument can be used for low frequency measurement also.

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• Disadvantages of Moving iron instruments:

1. Power consumed by the instrument is high as compared to that of
the permanent magnet moving coil instrument.
2. The scale is non-uniform.
3. Due to the presence of iron part in the operating system, error due to
the hysteresis effect is introduced. To reduce this effect nickel iron
alloys are used.

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THANK YOU

DR R K Viral
AMITY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
[email protected] UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] EEE-Amity School of Engineering & Technology