EGGERS, AMMETERS, AND VOLTMETERS

A. MEGGERS

18A1. Description. A megger is an ohmmeter-type instrument by means of which the value of a resistance can be measured and directly indicated by the position of a pointer on a scale. The resistance indicated in an ohmmeter-type instrument is independent of the voltage applied for a test. The megger consists of two principal elements: a hand-driven magneto type direct current generator, which supplies the current for making the measurement; and the moving element with pointer, by means of which the value of the resistance under measurement is indicated.

Figures 18-1 and 18-2 illustrate the construction of the moving element and the magnetic circuit and electrical connections in the instrument. The permanent magnets serve for both the ohmmeter and the generator. The armature of the generator is hand-driven. The rotational speed is stepped up through gears and maintained at a constant rate, if a certain cranking speed is exceeded, by means of a clutching mechanism. The type III instrument generates 500 volts and has a scale of 0 to 100 megohms.

18A2. Principle of operation. The instrument system consists primarily of two coils, A and B (Figure 18-1), mounted on the same moving element, with pointer attached, in a permanent magnet field, Coil A is connected in series with a resistance between the negative side of the generator and the line terminal, and is called the current coil. Coil B, in series with another resistance, is connected across the generator terminals, and is called the potential coil.

The moving element is mounted in spring-supported jewel bearings and is free to rotate about its axis, since there are no restraining or controlling springs such as there are in an ammeter or voltmeter. Current is led to the coils by flexible conducting ligaments having the least possible torsion, so that the pointer floats over the scale. Hence, when the generator is not being operated, the pointer may stand in any position over the scale.

When current flows in coils A and B, they tend to turn the moving element in opposite directions. The pointer then takes a position over the scale where the two forces are equal.

When the instrument is operated, either with perfect insulation, or with nothing at all connected across the earth and line terminals, no current flows in coil A. The potential coil B alone controls the movement and takes a position opposite the gap in the C-shaped core, and the pointer indicates infinity.

When, however, a resistance is connected across the terminals, a current flows in coil A and the corresponding torque draws the potential coil B away from the infinity position into a field of gradually increasing magnetic strength until a balance is obtained between the forces acting on the respective coils. Hence, by introducing resistances of different known values across the terminals and marking the corresponding position of the pointer in each case, a scale calibrated in resistance can be obtained.

Since changes in voltage affect both coils A and B in the same proportion, the position of the moving element is independent of the voltage. In the event that the instrument is short circuited, the ballast resistance is sufficient to protect the current coil.

The resistance range of meggers is very great. For insulation resistance measurements, their range is in thousands of megohms. They are also designed to measure a resistance of only a few ohms, such as the resistance to ground of tower footings or ground wires. In service, the megger is used for measuring insulation resistance of cables, insulators, and windings of motors and generators.

To prevent the demagnetization of the permanent magnets, a megger should never be connected to a circuit in which current is flowing and should not be placed on a pole piece or the bedplate of a motor or generator.

18A3. Maintenance. The megger should be given the same care and consideration as any delicate instrument, as it contains a moving coil with steel pivots turning in jewels and can be injured by rough handling. There is an insulating guard ring around each terminal post which is wired to an internal circuit. This serves to

bypass around the moving coil element any leakage current which may pass across the moist or dirty surfaces of the box and which would otherwise give an incorrect reading of the circuit under test. The guard ring should be maintained intact.

Care should be taken to keep the terminals and terminal posts clean and the leads from being partly broken, as such conditions would add resistance to the circuit and give incorrect readings.

There are no provisions for oiling any of the bearings in the megger from the outside of the case. The original assembly provides sufficient lubrication for several years of use.

The megger has no external adjustments. It can be checked for accuracy by shorting the

terminals, when it should read zero. With terminals open, the pointer should stand at infinity when the handle is turned at the usual speed. Intermediate points of the scale can be checked by measuring a known resistance, such as a voltmeter of high range. Weston model No. 24 voltmeter averages a resistance of about 100 ohms per volt. The voltmeter should indicate about 160 volts at 120 rpm of the handle. A falling off of the voltage generated does not affect the accuracy of the megger, as the results are independent of the test electromotive force. This means that even though the permanent magnets should change, or the speed of the turning vary, the accuracy remains unaffected. However, if the pointer stands at zero or infinity, as stated above, the megger can be considered as being fairly accurate. The pointer may stand anywhere on the scale when the instrument is idle.

Repairs of any kind should be undertaken only by an instrument maker who understands the theory of operation, as the circuit resistances have a certain relationship which must be maintained.

Figure 18-3. Operating principle of direct current instruments.