2020

EEC421 LAB 3

MOHAN MOHINISH RAM

2019003115
19/10/2020
TITLE: LINEAR VARIBLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMER “LVDT)
AIM:
1. The aim of this lab is to understand the principle of operation of a linear variable
differential transformer.
2. To know what is meant by linearity and range of a mutual inductive type transformer.
INTRODUCTION:
A pair of coils can be used as a mutual inductance or transformer by monitoring the secondary
emf when the primary is supplied from an ac source and the reluctance of the magnetic path is
varied. Because of the peaked shape of the output curve from a single secondary, there is very
little direct use for a transducer of this type. However, if we had two secondary’s giving
opposing outputs equally centered about the primary, the graphs could be added together
algebraically to give a more useful characteristic.
MATERIALS:
- Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) Sub-unit (TK294G)
- Linear Transducer Test Rig (TK294)
- Instrumentation Module (TK2941A)
- ±15 DC Power Supply (PS446)
- Oscilloscope
- Digital Multimeter

DIAGRAMS:
PROCEDURE:
1. The circuit was connected as shown in the above diagram. The terminals of the
transducer was carefully checked to see if it is wired up correctly
2. The instrumentation module (TK2941A) provided the AC signal for our LVDT. We made
sure that the switch on the oscillator was set to the C position and the frequency control
set to max then we set the output amplitude control to 7 and switched on the power
supply.
3. To indicate that our setup was functioning correctly we pressed the rod against the
return spring so that the output would vary and would go through a maximum shifting
phase and then a second minimum and then reduce almost to zero and change phase
 and go through two further maximums again shifting phase. (The oscilloscope was set to
correct settings with time base to 1us/div and vertical setting to 2V/div to display few cycles of
the output and the oscillator waveform).
4. Now we reduced the time base to 100us/div to make it easier to read the number of division’s
peak-to-peak of the waveform. The micrometer was set on the test rig to 0mm position and the
slider index to the 55mm position on the scale.
5. Using the micrometer the core through the coils was moved in 1mm steps while we were
recording the output at each step until we reached a final setting of 25mm on the micrometer.
6. We then recorded our readings in the table under results. When the output passed
through the null position there was a 180 ° phase change. We recorded the position where
this happened.
7. Using our results we then plotted a graph of the output against position for the whole range of
movement.

RESULTS:
1. Applied voltage (VIN)=15V , Output Voltage=22.8mV , frequency=524KHz
2. LVDT AC Output measurements

S/No. Position (mm) Output AC Voltage (VP-P)

1 25 mm 22.8mV
2 24 mm 28.8 mV
3 23 mm 46.8 mV
4 22 mm 64 mV
5 21 mm 92 mV
6 20 mm 130 mV
7 19 mm 182 mV
8 18 mm 248 mV
9 17 mm 328 mV
10 16 mm 448 mV
11 15 mm 552 mV
12 14 mm 648 mV
13 13 mm 712 mV
14 12 mm 728 mV
15 11 mm 696 mV
16 10 mm 624 mV
17 9 mm 560 mV
18 8 mm 472 mV
19 7 mm 392 mV
20 6 mm 312 mV
21 5 mm 220 mV
22 4 mm 140 mV
23 3 mm 60 mV
 24 2 mm 46.4 mV
25 1 mm 132 mV
26 0 mm 232 mV

DISCUSSION:
1.

Chart Title
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Position (mm) Output AC Voltage (VP-P)

2.

3.
 4. – power turbines
- Hydraulics
- Automation
- Aircraft
- Satellites
- Nuclear reactors
CONCLUSION:
To conclude, from this lab students had learnt what an linear variable differential transformer
(LVDT) is and how it functions and how to connect it up in a circuit and how to measure its
voltage and waveform while varying it what are some of the things that an LVDT is used for.