MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION ELE 4101 LECTURE III

Lecturer: Jomo N. Gill

DETERMINING Rm
The meter resistance Rm can be determined using the following methods: - Meter calibrator method - Full-scale deflection method

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THE METER CALIBRATOR METHOD The meter calibrator places a controlled and calibrated current to the meter under test. When the current is adjusted for full-scale deflection, the voltage across the meter terminals is measured, and the resistance is determined by applying Ohm's Law.
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THE FULL-SCALE DEFLECTION METHOD This process is illustrated via the Figures below.

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- RA is a current limiter - Vs is increased until the meter reaches full scale. Vs is noted. - A pot is then placed across the meter and adjusted until the meter current is just less than half full-scale. - Vs is doubled, and the pot is adjusted until the current in the meter approaches fullscale.

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- The meter resistance and RB are now the same. - Vs is turned off and RB is measured to determine the internal resistance of the meter.

CLASSWORK
Worked example on Rshunt.

MULTI-RANGE AMMETERS
A multiple range ammeter is shown in the Figure.

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Drawback: - When the rotary switch is between ranges, the resulting open circuit in the shunt path causes all the current to flow through the meter, which could be disastrous. Practical solution: - Use an Ayrton arrangement
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IN-CIRCUIT SETUP
- Ammeters are placed in series with other circuit elements. - We should always start measurements with the highest range. Ammeters should have negligible resistance, in order to minimise loading effects.
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