Measuring Instruments

Module 7:
Electrical Measurement Instruments
 Module 7
Date : 1st June and 7th June 2020

• Current and voltage measurement instruments –

1. Moving coil- Permanent Magnet Moving coil
2. Moving iron- Repulsive and Attractive type
Moving Iron
 Classification of Measuring Instruments
1. Indicating Instruments: These instruments use of dials and pointer
for showing magnitude of unknown quantity. Examples:
Ammeters, Voltmeter etc.

2. Recording Instruments: These instruments give a continuous

record of the given electrical quantity which is being measured
over specific period of time.

3. Integrating Instruments: Integrating instrument are electrical

measuring instruments, which measures the electrical quantity
and sum up with previous value and provides a cumulative result
of electrical quantity under measurement. For example House
hold energy meter
Integrating type energy meter is both an indicating and recording type instrument
It provides a cumulative value of electrical quantity. It contains a set of dials, pointer, scale or
suitable indicator and a recording mechanism. It indicates the value of the quantity under
measurement sum up with previous readings.
Essential Requirement's of an Instrument

In most of the measuring instruments, effect of

unknown (electrical) quantity is converted into a
mechanical force which is transmitted to the pointer
which moves over a calibrated scale. Following systems
must be present in an instrument:

1. Deflecting system producing the deflecting torque (Td)

2. Controlling system producing controlling torque Tc
3. Damping system producing damping torque
1. Deflecting system:
• In most of the indicating instruments, mechanical force proportional
to the quantity to be measured is generated. This mechanical
force/torque deflects the pointer. The system which produces such
deflecting torque is called deflecting system.
2. Controlling system (spring/gravity based )
• This system should provide a force equal and opposite to the
deflecting force in order to make deflection of pointer to a definite
magnitude. If this system is absent, then pointer will swing beyond its
final steady position and may became indefinite
• It brings moving system back to zero position when force which cause
the moment of the moving system is removed.
• Controlling torque is generally provided by springs
3. Damping system (Air friction damping, Eddy current
damping)
• Before coming to rest pointer oscillates due to inertia, about its
equilibrium position. Unless the pointer rest, final reading cant be
obtained. So as to bring the pointer to rest within short time, damping
is required.
 1. Deflecting system
• The force or the torque which deflects the pointer Td has to
overcome following
1. The inertia of the moving system
2. Controlling torque provided by the controlling system
3. The damping torque provided by the damping system

Damping system uses one of the following effects:

• Magnetic effects
• Thermal effects
• Electrostatic effects
• Induction effects
 2. Controlling system
• This system should provide a force equal and opposite to
the deflecting force in order to make deflection of pointer
to a definite magnitude. If this system is absent, then
pointer will swing beyond its final steady position and may
became indefinite
• It brings moving system back to zero position when force
which cause the moment of the moving system is removed.
• Controlling torque is generally provided by springs.
Sometimes gravity is also used.

Spring/Gravity Based
 Spring control
• It may involve one or more springs.
• A spiral hairspring made of a non-magnetic material such as phosphor
bronze is attached to the moving system.
• It utilises a hair spring of large number of turns which is attached to the
moving system or spindle S. When the pointer is deflected by the
deflecting torque the spring gets twisted in the opposite direction
which produces the controlling torque.
• It comes to an equilibrium position when magnitude of the deflecting
torque is equal to the controlling torque.
• Further the torque of the spiral spring (controlling torque) is
proportional to the angle of twist (angular deflection of the pointer, θ)
• Should be non-magnetic.
• Not subjected to much fatigue.
• It should have low specific resistance – especially in cases
where they are used for leading current in or out of the
instrument.
• Have low temperature resistance coefficient.
• If a current of 10 A produces a deflection of 90. what deflection will
occur for a current of 5 A. when the instrument is
i) Spring control and
ii) Gravity control
 Given I1= 10 A and I1= 5A and θ1= 90o

i) In case of spring constant,

𝑰𝟏 𝜭𝟏
=
𝑰𝟐 𝜭𝟐

Hence, ϴ2= 45o

 Gravity control
Principle of operation
• In gravity control there are two weights
which are attached to the spindle (shown
as L and M).
• L corresponds to the balancing weight
which balances the weight of the pointer.
• M corresponds to the controlling weight
which provides the controlling torque to
the pointer.
• When the pointer is at zero position,
controlling weight M is hanging vertically
downwards.
• Let us say pointer deflected by an angle d
ϴ. Controlling torque, is equal to weight
of the M and length travelled (denoted Tc ∝ Sinϴ
as d)
 Gravity control
Advantages
• It is cheap and not affected by temperature variations.
• It does not deteriorate with time.
• It is not subject to fatigue.
Disadvantages
• Since the controlling torque is proportional to the sine of the angle of
deflection, the scale is not uniformly divided but cramped at its lower
end.
• It is not suitable for use in portable instruments (in which spring
control is always preferred).
• Gravity control instruments must be used in vertical position so that
the control weight may operate and also must be leveled otherwise
they will give zero error.
Tc ∝ Sinϴ
If a current of 10 A produces a deflection of 90. what
deflection will occur for a current of 5 A. when the
instrument is in gravity control
Given I1= 10 A and I1= 5A and θ1= 90o

𝑰𝟏 𝑺𝒊𝒏(𝜭𝟏
=
𝑰𝟐 𝑺𝒊𝒏 (𝜭𝟐

𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝟗𝟎 𝑿 𝟓 o
𝑺𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟐= = 30
𝟏𝟎
 3. Damping systems
• Before coming to rest pointer oscillates due to inertia, about
its equilibrium position. Unless the pointer rest, final reading
cant be obtained. So as to bring the pointer to rest within
short time, damping is required.

Air/Friction damping
Eddy currents damping
 Fluid friction damping

• It consists of a vane or disc attached to the spindle.

• Vane is entirely dipped inside the oil.
• Frictional forces between the oil and the vane produces a
damping torque which opposes the oscillating behaviour of
the pointer.
 Air Friction Damping

• Piston attached with the spindle moves in a fixed air chamber (closed from one
end).
• Piston reciprocates the oscillations of the pointer inside the air chamber.
• When the piston moves inside the air chamber, air inside gets compressed and
pressure of air developed due to friction opposes the motion of the pointer.
• There is also opposition to the motion of the moving system when piston moves
out of the chamber, thereby providing the necessary damping
 Eddy currents damping

• It is based on the Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s law.

• When the conductor moves in a magnetic field cutting the flux, e.m.f. gets induced
in it and the direction of the this e.m.f. is so as to oppose the cause producing it.
• When the pointer oscillates, aluminium disc rotates under the influence of the
magnetic field of the damping magnet. So the disc cuts the flux which cause an
induced emf in the disc.
• The disc is a closed path hence the induced emf circulates current through the disc
is called eddy currents.
• Direction of the current is so as to oppose the cause producing it. thus it produces
an opposing torque so as to reduce the oscillations of the pointer. the pointer
thereby comes to rest quickly.
Permanent Magnet Moving Coil Instruments

6/1/2020 Prof.Govardhan 24
Thus deflection is directly proportional to the current passing through the coil
 Advantages

Disadvantages