Lab no.

04

BAHRIA UNIVERSITY KARACHI CAMPUS

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS

LAB EXPERIMENT # 04

Linear Variable Differential

Transformer (LVDT)
OBJECTIVE:-

• Study and understand the LVDT

• To be familiar with the working of LVDT.

EQUIPMENTS:

• Main Unit KL-62001

• Module KL-64015
• Digital Multimeter

THEORY:-

The linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) (also called just a differential
transformer, linear variable displacement transformer, or linear variable displacement
transducer is a type of electrical transformer used for measuring linear displacement
(position). The LVDT converts a position or linear displacement from a mechanical reference
(zero, or null position) into a proportional electrical signal containing phase (for direction)
and amplitude (for distance) information. The LVDT operation does not require an electrical
contact between the moving part (probe or core assembly) and the coil assembly, but instead
relies on electromagnetic coupling.

The construction of a typical LVDT is illustrated in Figure 4.1. Basically, it consists of a

moveable ferromagnetic core and three coils. The primary winding and the two secondary
windings are wound over a hollow coil made of a nonmagnetic and insulating material.

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Figure 4.1: Construction of a LVDT

In most elementary connections, the secondaries are connected together at one of their two
terminals as shown in Figure 4.2. When an AC excitation signal is applied to the primary
winding, the core will move within the coil assembly and the coupling between the primary
and each of the secondary changes. As a result, magnitude of the output voltage and the phase
between the secondary changes.

Figure 4.2: Operation of LVDT

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LVDT are widely available in position sensing due to the following features:
1) High linear accuracy: from +0.1% to +1%.
2) High sensitivity: 1 mil (111000 in) of core displacement can result in voltage
variations of anywhere from 10 to 45mV.
3) Wide load impedance range.
4) High stability at null (center): approximately 1um.
5) Wide excitation frequency range: from 50 Hz to 10 KHz.
6) Long operating life: no mechanical contact, no frictional wear.
7) Vibration proof

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF LVDT:

Figure 4.3: LVDT Transducer Circuit

The circuit of Figure 4.3 is a position detector for sensing the core position of the LVDT. The
LEDs 1 and 2 on the module KL-62001 are used to indicate the core at the left hand and the
right hand and the right hand from the center, respectively. If the core stays at the left hand,
the potential of V+ will be larger than the V- set by the potentiometer VR, the output voltage
of the comparator must be +V and the LED1 is turned on. Inversely, when the core stays at
the right hand, the LED2 will be turned on.

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PROCEDURE:

1) Place the module KL-64015 on the trainer KL-62001.

2) Connect the Vo30-1 to Different amplifier’s V- and Vo30-2 to V+.
3) Connect the multimeter Red probe to Different amplifier’s Vo and Black to GND.
4) Record the output voltage for each displacement on Table 4.1.

Table 4.1: Observation Table

Displacement (mm) +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3

Output voltage(Vo)

Q. Write the applications of LVDT?

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