Group Members

Muhammad nafees 21
Muhammad anjum 24
Muhammad hamza 26
Ghulam rasool 39
A Wheatstone bridge is
used to measure
resistance by comparing
unknown resistor against
resistors of known value.
 History
The Wheatstone Bridge was
invented in 1833 by Samuel
Hunter Christie. Later named
after Sir Charles
Wheatstone for his many
applications of the circuit
through the 1840s.
HOW DOES IT
WORK?
 Uses ratio of 3 known
resistors

 Measures fourth unknown

resistance

 Balanced voltage between 2

points where galvanometer is
attached
 By changing resistors to adjusting
variable resistors to balance the
device, the mathematical ratio is used
to calculate the fourth (unknown)
resistance.
Kirchhoff's first law is used to find the
currents in junctions B and D

𝐼3 − 𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝐺 = 0
𝐼1 − 𝐼2 − 𝐼𝐺 = 0

Kirchhoff's second rule for finding the

voltage in the loops ABD and BCD:

𝐼3 . 𝑅3 − 𝐼𝐺 . 𝑅𝐺 − 𝐼1 . 𝑅1 = 0
𝐼𝑋 . 𝑅𝑋 − 𝐼2 . 𝑅2 + 𝐼𝐺 . 𝑅𝐺 = 0
When the bridge is balanced, then IG = 0

𝐼3 . 𝑅3 = 𝐼1 . 𝑅1
𝐼𝑋 . 𝑅𝑋 = 𝐼2 . 𝑅2
THEN
𝑹𝟐 . 𝑰𝟐 . 𝑰𝟑 . 𝑹𝟑
𝑹𝑿 =
𝑹𝟏 . 𝑰𝟏 . 𝑰𝑿
AS 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 AND 𝐼3 = 𝐼𝑋

𝑅2 . 𝑅3
𝑅𝑋 =
𝑅1
If all four resistor values and the
supply voltage (VS) are known, and the
resistance of the galvanometer is high
enough that IG is negligible

𝑅2 𝑅𝑥
𝑉𝐺 = ( − )𝑉𝑠
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 𝑅𝑥 + 𝑅3
APPLICATIONS
 Wheatstone bridge is also used in
electrical measurement system as
sensing element.
E.G to measure the LDR light sensor for
a thermistor, pressure sensor, strain
gauge, and other such transducers

 Wheatstone Bridge Circuit on Stilling

Well Float Tide Gauge to find the depth


 Electrical power distributors use the
Wheatstone Bridge to locate breaks in
the power lines.
Murray loop bridge is a bridge circuit
used for locating faults in underground
or underwater cables.
DISADVANTAGES
 BRIDGE RESISTANCES ARMS ARE CHANGED
DUE TO HEAT EFFECT OF CURRENT.

 Due to thermal effect in bridge circuit

thermal emf is produced which affects
its working.
 During measurment of low resistance,
the leads and external contacts
affect the measurement.
 Any
questions???
Thank you
