Government Engineering

College, Modasa
Electrical Measurement And
Measuring Instruments
Module Name : Measurement Of
Resistance
Topic Name : Measurement Of Low
Resistance

Presented By:
Kazim Marfatiya

 The figure shows the

construction of low
resistance
For the protection of low
resistance, it is constructed
with four terminals
CC = Current Terminals
PP = Potential Terminals
The value of low resistance
is measured between the
potential terminal P and P.

 Recall our classification done above, as we move from

top to bottom the value of resistance decreases hence,
we require more accurate and precise device to
measure the low value of resistance
We need some modification in Wheatstone bridge
itself, and the modified bridge so obtained is Kelvin
bridge, which is not only suitable for measuring low
value of resistance but has wide range of applications
in the industrial world

 There are two methods of connecting

voltmeter and ammeter for

measurement of resistance as shown in
figure.

In both cases measured value of

unknown resistance is equal to the
reading of voltmeter divided by reading
of ammeter.

From fig.(1)

R = Rm
Ideally R = Rm only when Ra = 0
From fig.(2)

R=

Ideally R = Rm when resistance of

voltmeter is

Kelvin Bridge
Ry = represents resistance of
connecting lead from R3 to Rx.

Connecti
on of G

Value of
Rx

To point
m
To point
n

Higher
than the
actual
Lower
than the
actual

Figure

Calculation Of Unknown Resistance by

Kelvin Bridge
From Fig.(2)

The balance condition of bridge is

+ = + Rmp)
Substituting from eq.(1)

Rx + = +
Rx =
The problems with the above method are : the method is not practical
difficult to find correct galvanometer null point

Kelvins Double Bridge Method

To Overcome the problem Of
Kelvin Bridge , The New Bridge is
Introduced ,which is used for
precise measurement of low
resistance called Kelvins Double
Bridge.

Construction
Consist of 2 ratio arms
Connected resistances are
P, Q, p,q,r,S,R.
r is the resistance of slide
wire
R is the unknown
resistance
Rg is regulating resistance
Galvanometer (G) is
connected between point
F and H.

Working

Calculation Of Unknown Resistance by Kelvins

Double Bridge

Balance condition I = 0.
At
Hence voltage across P = voltage across R + voltage across p
g

VP = VR + Vp
I1P = IR + I2p
(3)
Similarly voltage across Q = Voltage across S + voltage across q
VQ = VS + Vq
I1Q = IS + I2q
.(4)
Voltage across r = voltage across (p+q)
Vr = V(p+q)
So,

I2 =
So from eq.(1)

I1P = IR +
I1Q = IS +

.(5)
..(6)

Calculation Of Unknown Resistance by Kelvins

Double Bridge

Divide
eq. (5) & (6)

Finally we get the below equation

R=
.(7)

Usually, ratio is adjusted is equal to . So eq.(7) can be expressed

as

R=
For accurate measurement of R two readings are taken by reversing the
direction of current, the average value of these two values is taken as
magnitude of unknown resistance

Thank You