KELVINS DOUBLE BRIDGE

AIM: To determine the low range resistance of a given resistor using Kelvins
Double Bridge.
APPARATUS:
Sl. No.

Apparatus

Type

Range

Quantity

1.

Kelvins Double Bridge

--

--

1 No.

2.

Given resistor of low resistance

--

--

1No.

3.

Spot reflection galvanometer

--

--

1 No.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Details Of Panel:

+C and -C
and -P

-- Current terminals

-- Voltage terminals

To connect the 4 terminals of unknown

+P

resistanceX

Selector or current switch -- To set the battery circuit in OFF position,

Forward position or reverse position.
Range multiplier

-- To select proper range depending on the

Value of unknown resistance.

Main dial

-- For course adjustment.

Slide wire

-- For fine adjustment.

The figure shows the circuit diagram of Kelvins Double Bridge.When the bridge
is adjusted for balance --Let i1=Current in arm Q=Current in arm M.
i2=Current in arm q=Current in arm m.
I=Current in arm X=Current in arm S.

Current =

I.

r
--------q+m+r

----------

(1)

Now P.d across Q=P.d across X+ P.d across q

I.Q=I. X + i2. q
=I X + I .

r
--------q+m+r

.q

qr
X + -------q+m+r

=I .

----------

(2)

In the same way P.d across M=P.d across S + P.d across m

I.M=I. S + i2.m
=I.S + I .

r
--------- . m
q+m+r

mr
S + -------q+m+r

=I .

(2)
I.Q
------- = ------ =
(3)
I.M

By division

or

----------

(3)

qr
I. X + --------q+m+r
---------------------mr
I. S + --------q+m+r

qr
X + --------Q
q+m+r
------ = ---------------------M
mr
S + ---------q+m+r

from which
qr
mr
M.X + M. ------------ = Q.S + Q. ------------q+m+r
q+m+r

or

mr
qr
M.X = Q.S + Q. -------------- -- M. -----------q+m+r
q+m+r

Q.S
r
X = ------ + ------------ .

Q.m
M.q
-------- - --------

q+m+r

Q.S
mr
Q
q
= --------- + ------------ . ---- -- ----M
q+m+r
M
m

mr
The term ------------ .
q+m+r

Q
q
----- -- ------M
m

can be made very small by making the

resistances of the link r very small and also by making the ratio Q/M as nearly as
possible equal to q/m.
Thus the ratio of Q/M can be adjusted to the same value as q/m to obtain
balance. Hence the unknown X can be given by the expression
X =(Q/M).S
PROCEDURE: Zero adjustment of the bridge
If the bridge is used after a long time, zero reading of the bridge may be
checked.
1. Connect the regulated power supply to the terminals marked BATT in
series with a rheostat and an ammeter as shown in circuit diagram.
2. Connect the spot-reflection galvanometer to the terminals marked
GALVO.
3. Connect the terminals +C,+P,-C and P by means of a copper strips so
that they are shorted together.
4. Set the main dial and slide wire dial at zero position, range multiplier
switch at x 10 or x 1 position and selector switch at forward position.
5. Switch on the A.C supply to the spot reflection galvanometer and adjust
zero error if any.
6. Switch on the regulated power supply and adjust its output voltage to
about 5V.

7. Press the current key first and then galvanometer key. Observe the
galvanometer deflection, if any. Now the null point should be obtained
with the main dial and slide wire dial both indicating zero.
8.

If there is any difference on the scale, loosen the brass screw on the knob
of the circular scale with help of screw driver. Then turn the white scale
slightly to give correct zero and tighten the brass screw again.

9.

Switch off the supply to galvanometer and power supply.

Measurement of unknown resistance of low range:

1. Disconnect the copper strip connected between +C,+P and P,-C
keeping the other connection as it is.
2. Connect the given unknown resistor X (Its current terminals to
+C and C and potential terminals +P and P of the bridge).
3. Set the range multiplier switch at a suitable range (x 10 or x 1)
and selector switch in the forward position.
4. Switch on the spot reflection galvanometer and regulated power
Supply.
5. Press the current key first and then the galvanometer key.
6. Now adjust the main dial and slide wire dial to get null deflection
in the galvanometer.
7. Note down the main dial reading and slide wire dial reading and
calculate the resistance of the given resistor(X) using the formula
X = (Main dial reading + slide dial reading x 0.00002) x range
multiplier used.
8. Next set the selector switch in the reverse position. Repeat the
experiment and find the value of X in the same manner. Find
the mean of these two values to get the correct value of X. This
is to be done to eliminate thermal effects.
TABULAR FORM:

Sl.No.

Position of selector
switch

1.

Forward position

2.

Reverse position

Range
Multiplier

Main dial
reading
(MDR)

Slide wire
reading
(SWR)

Unknown
resistance X=
(MDR + SWR
x 0.00002) x
range
multiplier.

Average value of X = ohms.

RESULT: Resistance of the given resistor = X = ohms.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. All connections should be done tightly.
2. It should be ensured that the knob of the regulated power supply is at zero
output voltage position, before it is switched on.
3. Minimum possible current should be passed through the bridge.
4. Continuous flow of current should be avoided and current key should be
pressed only for a short-while.
5. The spot reflection galvanometer should be locked after use. During null point
determination, positions of low sensitivity (1/1000 or 0.001) should be used
initially. As null point approaches, position 1 should be used for maximum
sensitivity.
VIVA QUESTIONS:
1. Classify electrical resistances from the measurement point of view.
2. What are the different methods of determining low range resistance
experimentally?
3. What are the limitations of Wheatstone-bridge?
4. Write the different methods of determining high resistances experimentally.

5. How do you eliminate effect of thermoelectric emfs while making measurement

with Kelvins Double Bridge?
6. What are the operations to be carried out to obtain null deflection while making
measurement with Kelvins Double Bridge?