ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENTS LAB

LABORATORY MANUAL

B.Tech. EE, III SEM

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS:
1. Kelvin’s double bridge-measurement of low resistance
2. Dielectric oil testing using H.T. testing kit
3. Schering bridge
4. Anderson bridge
5. Wein’s bridge
S.NO NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT

1. Measurement of low resistance using Kelvin’s double bridge

2. Measurement of Dielectric strength of transformer oil and insulator

3. Measurement of capacitance using Schering bridge

4. Measurement of frequency using Wein’s bridge

5. Measurement of self inductance using Anderson bridge

KELVIN’S DOUBLE BRIDGE - MEASUREMENT OF LOW RESISTANCE

AIM:
To measure the low value of unknown resistance using a Kelvin’s double bridge.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S.
Name of the Equipment Quantity
No.
01 Portable Kelvin’s double bridge Kit 01
02 Connecting wires As required
THEORY:
Kelvin’s double bridge:
This bridge is a modification of the Wheatstone bridge and provides greatly increased
accuracy in measurement of low value resistance. An understanding of the Kelvin’s bridge
arrangement may be obtained by a study of the difficulties that arise in a Wheatstone bridge on
account of the leads and the contact resistances while measuring low valued resistors. Two actual
resistance units of correct ratio are connected between points m and n in the galvanometer be
connected to the function of the resistors. The fig.b.is the actual Kelvin bridge arrangement. The
Kelvin double bridge incorporates the idea of a second set of ratio arms-hence the name double
bridge and the use of four terminals resistors for the low resistance arms. The first of ratio arms, P
and Q is used to connect the galvanometer to a point d at the appropriate potential between pointsm
and n to eliminate the effect of connecting lead of resistance R between the unknown resistance, R
and the standard resistance S as shown in fig.b.

Fig. b. Kelvin’s double bridge

This is a portable bridge with built in taut suspension galvanometer and a 1.5 Volts dry
battery(3 cells of 1.5 V each in parallel).This bridge is useful for the measurement of low resistance.
Main dial – There are 10 coils of 0.1 ohm each.
Slide wire- 100 divisions of slide wire are equal to 0.1 ohm, Each main division is to 0.001
ohm. Each sub – division is to 0.0005 ohm, The reading to the left of zero is to be subtracted from
main dial reading and that to the right of zero is to be added to main dial reading.
Rang switch:- A range multiplier switch furnishes 5 range of X100, X10, X1, X0.1,X0.01.
The value of unknown resistance is given by sum of main dial and slide wire reading multiplied by
range used.
On the left side of Kelvin’s bridge kit as shown in fig.1, there are two current terminals
marked +C and –C and two potential terminals marked +P and –P. Four leads are provided; one pair
is called current leads. The second pair is called potential leads. Resistance of each potential lead is
10milli ohms.

If the resistance to be measured is in the form of 2- terminals resistance, the leads from +C
and +P are connected to one terminal, and those from –C and –P are connected to the other terminal
of the unknown resistance. If the resistance to be measured is in the form of four terminal resistance,
then leads from +C, +P, -C, -P should be connected to respective terminals of the unknown
resistance, taking proper care for polarity.
 If the resistance is in the form of a wire or a coil, connect one end of the wire to +C and other
end to –C and connect +C to +P and –C to –P with the help of leads provided. The resistance of the
wire between +C and –C will be measured.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Fig.1. Circuit diagram for Kelvin’s double bridge method

PRECAUTIONS:

1. There should not be any loose connections.

2. Meter readings should not be exceeded beyond their ratings.
3. Handle the bridge very carefully

OBSERVATION TABLE:

Table.1:
When P=P1=1Kohm

S.NO P Q S R Total resistance

Table.2:
When P=P1=100ohm

S.NO P Q S R Total resistance

 RESULT:

VIVA- VOCE QUESTIONS:

1. Why it is called as double bridge?

2. What is the ranges of resistance that can be measured using The bridge.
3. What are the ranges of resistances for low, medium and high resistances?
4. What is sensitivity of bridge?
5. What are the detectors used for DC bridge?
6. Why the low resistances are four terminal resistances.
7. Why the methods used for medium resistances are not suitable for measurement of low
resistances?
8. What are the other instruments to measure the resistance?
9. What is a megger?
10. How megger is work?

DIELECTRIC OIL TESTING USING VOLTAGE TESTING KIT

AIM:
To determine the dielectric strength of transformer oil using HT testing kit.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
S. No. Name of the apparatus Quantity
1 Dielectric oil test kit 1
 2 Connecting wires As required

THEORY:
The insulation oil of transformers fulfills the purpose of insulating as well as cooling. Thus, the
dielectric quality of transformer oil is a matter of secure operation of a transformer.

As transformer oil deteriorates through aging and moisture ingress, transformer oil should be tested
periodically. The dielectric strength of transformer oil is measured by conducting flash over voltage test
or break down voltage test using sphere gaps. Flash over voltage is measured by observing at what
voltage, a flash (sparking between two electrodes) occurs between the sphere gaps which are immerged
in the transformer oil, separated by specific gap.

The set test which operates on 230V, 50HZ supply has been mainly two transformers. One is the toroidal
wound auto transformer used to supply steeples continuously variable voltage the other H.T. transformer
.The H.T. transformers operates at low flux density ensuring distortion free output voltage. It is a 60KV,
0.5KVA capability transformer, it so designed that the short circuit current of the secondary is more than
20MA at all voltage above 10KV. The max short circuit current does not exceed 200MA thus preventing
the unnecessary pitting of the electrodes. The test consists of an over load relay which trips and
disconnects the H.T. transformer when the breakdown occurs across the gaps. Theoil to be put in the cells.
Only after removing a plastic enclosure provided. When the enclosure is removed, it actuates micro switch
shutting of the supply to the unit. A zero return interlock arrangement makes it obligatory to bring the
H.T. voltage to zero after every breakdown test. A panel board of the test set consists of voltage control
push ,a moving iron voltmeter to indicate the voltage applied in KV, three indicator lamps to indicate the
mains ‘ON ‘and H.T.’OFF’. It also consists of main switch, a, H.T.’ON’ switch and a H.T.OFF switch.

Test cell for transformer oil:

As per IS 6792/1972, the test cell and the electrodes should be as follows.
1. The cell made, of glass or plastic shall be transparent and non-absorbent. It shall have
effective volume between 300 and 500 ml. It should preferably be closed
2. The copper, brass or the bronze steel polished electrodes shall be spherical surfaced of the
shape and dimension as given in the fig. The electrodes shall be mounted on a horizontal
axis and shall be 2.5 mm apart. The axis of the electrode shall be immersed to a depth of
4 mm.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Fig.1 Dielectric oil test HT kit

PROCEDURE:

1. Switch on the main supply.The ‘MAINS ON’ lamps lights up and the ‘HV OFF’ lamp also
lights up.
2. Press the ‘HV ON’ button and move output knob in full anti clockwise direction till the ‘HV
OFF’ lamp goes off and the ‘HV ON’ lamp lights up. This action is simultaneous. HV is now
switched.
3. Advance the output control knob in the clock wise direction.
4. The pointer of kV meter reads the voltage applied to the test cell.
5. Advance the output control till breakdown occurs and the overload trips cutting off the
supply of HV transformer.
6. The ‘HV ON’ lamp goes off and ‘HV OFF’ lamp lights up. Do not advance the voltage
control any further. Break down voltage can be read from the meter.

OBSERVATION:

S.NO Breakdown voltage(KV) Gap between Dielectric strength(kv/mm)

electrode(mm)

CALCULATION:
 𝑉1+𝑉2+𝑉3+⋯…+𝑉𝑛
Dielectric strength (kv/mm) = 𝑛

Therefore, Dielectric strength of oil = ______

VIVA VOCE QUESTIONS:

1. What are the types of dielectric materials?

2. Define Dielectric strength?
3. Define transformer oil?
4. What is the break down voltage of liquid dielectric?
5. What is the material used for sphere gap rods?
6. Sphere gap measurement is linear and valid for gap spacing less than or equal to________
7. The main factors affecting the spark over voltage of sphere gap are ______
8. What is the break down voltage of solid dielectric?
9. What is the break down voltage of gaseous dielectric?
10. What is the purpose of transformer oil in a transformer?

SCHERING BRIDGE

AIM: To determine the capacitance of a capacitor and its dissipation factor.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
S.No. Specification Quantity
1 Schering bridge kit 1
 2 Galvanometer 1
3 Head phones 1
4 Connecting wires As per required

THEORY:

Alternating current bridge methods are of outstanding importance for measurement of electrical
quantities. Measurement of inductance, capacitance, storage factor, loss factor maybe made
conveniently and accurately by employing a.c. bridge networks.
Schering bridge is widely used for capacitance and dissipation factor measurements. Although
the Schering bridge is used for capacitance measurements in a general sense, it is particularly useful
for measuring insulating properties, i.e., for phase angles very nearly 90°. Infactschering Bridge is
one of the most important of the a.c. bridges It is extensively used in the measurement of capacitance
in general, and in particular in the measurement of the properties of insulators, capacitor bushings,
insulating oil and other insulating materials.
Circuit diagram:

Fig.1. Schering Bridge

PROCEDURE:

i) Determination of unknown capacitance(C):

1. Make the connections as shown in fig.1 using AC supply of frequency 1 kHz and head
Phone.
2. Connect the unknown capacitance.
3. Set the capacitor dial C2 and resistor R at zero position.
4. Now introduce some resistance from decade resistance and R1 say 1000Ω and adjust the
decade resistance dial R2 to minimize the sound in the headphone.
5. With alternative adjustment of decade resistance R1, R2 minimum sound or no sound can
be obtained in the headphone.
6. Note down the values of R1, R2 & C1 in table.1.
𝑅4
7. Calculate the value of unknown capacitance using the formula 𝐶1 = 𝐶
𝑅3
8. Repeat the above experiment with different values of unknown capacitors.

ii) Determination of the dissipation factor:

 1. Without disturbing the setting of the bridge (Null points R1&R2) introduce some resistance say
500 Ω from resistance dial ‘R’.
2. The bridge having gone out of the balance there will again be source sound in the headphone.
3. Now adjust the capacitance dial C2 to minimize the sound in the headphone.
4. Calculate the value of loss factor using the formula
𝜔𝑟1 𝐶1
Dissipation factor 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛿 = where  =2  f
𝜔𝐶4 𝑅4

& C=unknown capacitance.

5. Note down the values of R, C and dissipation factor in Table.2.
6. Repeat the above experiment for various values of unknown capacitances with different values
of resistance dial R.

Tabular column:
Table.1: To find unknown capacitance:
S.No. R1 in ohms R2 in ohms C1 in microarad C in microfarad

Table.2.:To determine dissipation factor:

S.No. R in ohm C in microfarad Dissipation factor,D=  CR

VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Why a spark is connectedacrossresistancearms in a Scheringbridge?

2. Themostuseful acbridgefor comparing capacitances of two air capacitor is
3. Dissipation factor of a capacitor can be determinedby using a
 4. Thecapacitance anddielectric loss of a capacitor is generally measured by _________
5. A bridgeusedfor measurementofdielectric loss and power factor is
6. The bridgeused for measuringinter–electrode capacitance is
7. The bridgeused for measuring dissipation factor of a capacitor is
8. MostcommonlyusedAC bridge circuit for the measurement of capacitance is
9. Thebridgesuitable formeasurementof capacitance of a capacitor at high voltage is
10. Why is ScheringBridgeparticularlysuitablefor measurementat high voltage?

ANDERSON’S BRIDGE

AIM: To determine the self -inductance of a coil by Anderson’s bridge

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S.No. Specification Quantity

 1 Anderson’s bridge kit 1
2 Galvanometer 1
3 Head phones 1
4 Connecting wires As per required

THEORY:

Anderson’s bridge is a modification of Maxwell’sinductance capacitance bridge. In this

method, the unknown inductance is measured in terms of a known capacitance and resistance.
The advantage of the Anderson bridge is capable of precise measurements of inductance over
a wide range of values from a few micro henrys to several henrys & is one of the commonest and the
best bridge methods.
This bridge is very common for measurement of self-inductance in terms of standard
capacitance and non-inductive resistances.
An audio-frequency oscillator of, say. 1000 CPS and a variable output of 10 volts is used as a
source of supply. A pair of headphones of good sensitivity is used as a detector in the bridge
network.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Fig.1. Anderson’s bridge

PROCEDURE:

For DC balance:

1. Make connections as shown in fig.1 with DC supply galvanometer and one unknown
inductance.
 2. Now adjust the resistance dial R and press the galvanometer key and get the balance
point in the galvanometer.
3. Use the resistance dial ‘S’ only for fine balance in the galvanometer and note the value of
R.

For AC balance:
1. Replace the DC supply with AC supply of frequency 1 kHz and the galvanometer with
headphone.
2. Set the standard capacitor C at the position 0.1 µF and adjust the resistance and r to
minimize the sound in the headphone.
3. Note down the values of R and r in Table.1.
𝐶𝑅3
Calculate the value of unknown inductance by using the formula: L= [𝑟 (𝑅 +
𝑅4 1 2
𝑅4 )+𝑅2 𝑅4 ]
𝑅 𝑅
Calculate the value of resistance of the coil by using the formula: 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 3 − 𝑟1
4

4. Calculate the quality factor Q =  L / 𝑹𝟏

5. Repeat the experiment with another value of unknown inductance.

Observation Table:
S .NO R3(Ω) R4(Ω) L(mH)

VIVAVOICE:
1. In an Anderson’s bridge, the unknown inductance is measured in terms of---------------
2. Anderson’s bridge is used for the measurement of ______________
3. Anderson bridge is a modification of ________________
4. Quality factor for Anderson bridge?