IT02 Linear Position or Force Applications

Curriculum Manual Chapter 6

Thongtong eamsaard (st 123300 )

Nabeel AK Jadoon (st123321)*

Thitipong Seanpeng (st123038)

Kushwath Reddy D.

Chapter 6
Linear Position or Force Applications

Objectives of Having studied this Chapter you will be able to:

this Chapter
Describe the construction, principle and
characteristics of a Linear Variable Differential
Transformer (LVDT).
Describe the construction and characteristics of a
linear variable capacitor.
Describe the construction and characteristics of a
strain gauge.

Equipment
Required for • DIGIAC 1750 Transducer and Instrumentation Trainer.
• 4mm Connecting Leads.
this Chapter • Digital Multimeter.
• Oscilloscope.

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6.1 The Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT)

The construction and circuit arrangement of an LVDT are as shown in Fig 6.1. It
consists of three coils mounted on a common former and having a magnetic core
that is movable within the coils.

Secondaries Primary
Primary
Coil Former
A B

A B
Core Motion

Magnetic Core Secondaries

Connections
Fig 6.1

The center coil is the primary and is supplied from an AC supply. The coils on
either side are secondary coils and are labeled A & B in Fig 6.1.

Coils A & B have equal number of turns and are connected in series opposing so
that the output voltage is the difference between the voltages induced in the coils.

Fig 6.2 shows the output obtained for different positions of the magnetic core.

AC Input AC Input AC Input

A B A B A B

Core Core Core

Output Output Output

+ + +
I/P I/P I/P
0 0 0

- - -
+ + +
O/P O/P O/P
0 0 0

- - -
(a) (b) (c)
Fig 6.2

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With the core in its central position as shown in Fig 6.2(b) there should be equal
voltages induced in coils A & B by normal transformer action and the output
voltage would be zero. In practice this ideal condition is unlikely to be found, but
the output voltage will reduce to a minimum.

With the core moved to the left as shown in Fig 6.2(a), the voltage induced in coil
A (Va) will be greater than that induced in coil B (Vb). There will therefore be an
output voltage Vout = (Va - Vb) and this voltage will be in phase with the input
voltage as shown.

With the core moved to the right as shown in Fig 6.2(c) the voltage induced in coil
A (Va) will be less than that induced in coil B (Vb) and again there will be an
output voltage Vout = (Va - Vb) but in this case the output voltage will be
antiphase with the input voltage.

Movement of the core from its central (or neutral) position produces an output
voltage. This voltage increases with the movement from the neutral position to a
maximum value and then may reduce for further movement from this maximum
setting. Note that the phase will remain constant on either side of the neutral
position. There is no gradual change of phase, only an abrupt reversal when
passing through the neutral position.

An amplitude only measurement of the output voltage, such as that provided by a

meter, gives an indication of movement from the neutral position but will not
indicate the direction of that movement. Used in conjunction with a phase
detector, an output can be obtained that is dependent on both magnitude and
direction of movement from neutral position. The oscilloscope gives both phase
and magnitude indications.

Fig 6.3 shows the circuit arrangement and device characteristics of the
DIGIAC 1750 unit.

I/P Turns per coil 75

O/P
Inductance per coil 68 µ H
Output Voltage 10mV/mm from neutral
Mechanical Travel 15mm
0V
LVDT Characteristics

Fig 6.3

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6.2 Practical Exercise

Characteristics of a Linear Variable Differential Transformer

A.C. AMPLIFIER 40kHz FILTER FULL WAVE RECTIFIER

LVDT VARIABLE CAPACITOR O/P
O/P O/P
I/P
I/P I/P
VIN

10 V
I/P O/P I/P O/P 1000
100
GAIN 0V

40kHz OSCILLATOR MOVING COIL METER

O/P
5 0 5
AMPLIFIER #1
-10 +10
I/P O/P
+
.5 .6
- + .7
.4
-

JL
1 .3 .8
100
10 .9 0V
.2
.1 1.0
OFFSET GAIN COARSE GAIN FINE

Fig 6.4

In this exercise you will measure the rectified output using the digital multimeter
on the 20V DC range and also amplify and measure it using the M.C. analog
meter, as this gives a better impression of the variation of output voltage with core
position.

Connect the circuit as shown in Fig 6.4 with the digital multimeter on the 2V
DC range to monitor the output of the Full-Wave Rectifier. Switch ON the
power supply.

Set the A.C. Amplifier gain to 1000.

Set the GAIN COARSE control of Amplifier #1 to 100 and GAIN FINE control
to 0.2. Check that the OFFSET control is set for zero output with zero input
and adjust if necessary.

Adjust the core position by rotating the operating screw to the neutral
position. This will give minimum output voltage. Note the value of this
voltage from the digital multimeter and record in Table 6.1.

Rotate the core control screw in steps of 1 turn for 4 turns in the clockwise
direction (when viewing the control from the left-hand side of the D1750
unit) and record your results in Table 6.1. Then turn the control screw in the
counter clockwise direction, again recording the results in Table 6.1.

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Core position (turns from neutral) -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4

Output Digital meter

V V V V V V V V V
Voltage Analog meter
V V V V V V V V V
Table 6.1

Plot the graph of output voltage from the analog meter readings against core
position on the axes provided.

10
Output 9
Voltage
(volts) 8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4
Core Position (turns from neutral)

Graph 6.1

6.2a Enter your minimum voltage reading from the digital multimeter in mV.

6.2b Enter your voltage reading from the M.C. analog meter when the core is
turned 2 turns out (-2) from the neutral position in V.

Switch OFF the power supply.

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A.C. AMPLIFIER
LVDT VARIABLE CAPACITOR O/P 40kHz FILTER
I/P O/P
I/P

10
I/P O/P I/P O/P 1000
100
GAIN

40kHz OSCILLATOR TP1 0V TP2 0V

O/P

CH.1 CH.2

OSCILLOSCOPE

Fig 6.5

Change the circuit to that shown in Fig 6.5 to observe the effect of the
polarity change in the output. Note that test points are provided at the
bottom of the DIGIAC 1750 Trainer panel for connection of oscilloscope
probes.

Note: for the LVDT considered here, unless the two secondary coils are
identical, there will be non-perfect coupling between each secondary coil
and the primary coil, resulting in a frequency-dependent phase shift in the
output voltage (relative to the input voltage).

Set up the oscilloscope as follows:

lock the timebase to CH.1, trigger selector to AC
CH.1 Amplifier on AC input, 50mV/div
CH.2 Amplifier on AC input, 0.5V/div
timebase to 5µs/div
position both traces on the center horizontal line of the display

Switch ON the power supply and vary the core position through its full
range and observe the effect on the output voltage as seen on CH.2 of the
oscilloscope display.

Adjust the timebase fine control to give 1½ cycles of displayed waveform.

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Sketch the oscilloscope waveforms when the core is turned 2 turns in (+2) from
the neutral position on the graticule provided.

Waveform Sketch 6.1

6.2c The waveform sketch, for perfectly coupled coils, would look most like:

a CH.2 b CH.1 c CH.1 d CH.1

CH.1 CH.2 CH.2
CH.2

Switch OFF the power supply and reset the timebase fine control to the
calibrated position.

Notes:
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6.3 The Linear Variable Capacitor

Any capacitor consists of two conducting plates separated by an insulator which is

referred to as the dielectric. The capacitance of the device is directly proportional
to the cross sectional area that the plates overlap and is inversely proportional to
the separation distance between the plates.

A variable capacitor can therefore be constructed by varying either the area of

plates overlapping or the separation distance.

Plated Brass Sleeve (fixed plate)

I/P O/P
length l

10kΩ
Spring
Metal Slug
(moving plate) 0V
Contacts
(a) (b)
Fig 6.6

Fig 6.6(a) shows the construction of the capacitor fitted in the DIGIAC 1750 unit,
being fitted at the end of the coil former of the LVDT. This uses the magnetic slug
core as the moving plate of the capacitor. The fixed plate consists of a brass sleeve
fitted around the coil former.

The capacitance magnitude depends on the length (l) of the slug enclosed within
the brass sleeve, the capacitance increasing with increase of length l.

Fig 6.6(b) shows the circuit arrangement in the DIGIAC 1750 unit.

The main characteristics of the unit are:

Capacitance (minimum) 25pF

Capacitance (maximum) 50pF

Mechanical travel 15mm

Table 6.2

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6.4 Practical Exercise

Characteristics of a Variable Capacitor Transducer

A.C. AMPLIFIER 40kHz FILTER FULL WAVE RECTIFIER

LVDT VARIABLE CAPACITOR O/P
O/P O/P
I/P
I/P I/P
VIN

10
I/P O/P I/P O/P 1000
100
GAIN DIFFERENTIAL
AMPLIFIER
O/P
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
40kHz OSCILLATOR B -
D
O/P A-B
A + 0V
C 12k Ω
A
B OUT AMPLIFIER #1 V
3
IN I/P O/P
1V
Rx
+5V 0V .5 .6
- + .7
.4
1 .3 .8
100
10 .2 .9
.1 1.0
OFFSET GAIN COARSE GAIN FINE

Fig 6.7

The purpose of the Differential Amplifier is to provide a reference to give zero

output voltage at any desired value of input voltage. The reference voltage is
adjusted by the setting of the 10-turn potentiometer.
Connect the circuit as shown in Fig 6.7 with the digital multimeter on the
20V DC range connected to the output of Amplifier #1.
Set the capacitor moving plate fully out to the minimum capacitance
position, and then turn it back in until the marker on the operating control is
first at the top. Now the device is near to its minimum capacitance position.
Set the AC Amp gain to 1000.
Switch ON the power supply and set the GAIN COARSE control of
Amplifier #1 to 100 and GAIN FINE control to 0.4. Check that the OFFSET
control is set for zero output with zero input and adjust if necessary.
Adjust the 10-turn potentiometer on the Wheatstone Bridge panel to give
zero (as near as possible) output from Amplifier #1 (as close to 0V as
possible) as indicated on the digital multimeter.
Turn the operating screw inwards in steps of 1 turn clockwise to increase the
capacitance and at each step note the output voltage and enter the value in
Table 6.3.

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Approximate 25pF ←Screw full out, minimum 50pF

Screw full in, maximum→
Capacitance
Turns of screw 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Output Voltage 0
V V V V V V V V V V V
Table 6.3
Plot the graph of output voltage against core positions above on the axes
provided:
3.6
3.4
3.2
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.4
Output 2.2
Voltage
(volts) 2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Core Position (turns in)
Graph 6.2

6.4a Enter the output voltage when the core is in position 4 above in V.

6.4b Is the characteristic linear?

Yes or No

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6.5 The Strain Gauge Transducer

Fine Resistance Wire

Fine Resistance Wire

(b)
Sensitive Axis

(c)
(a)
Fig 6.8

Fig 6.8 shows the construction of a strain gauge, consisting of a grid of fine wire
or semiconductor material bonded to a backing material.

When in use, the unit is glued to the beam under test and is arranged so that the
variation in length under loaded conditions is along the gauge sensitive axis
(Fig 6.8(a)).

Loading the beam increases the length of the gauge wire and also reduces its
cross-sectional area (Fig 6.8(c)). Both of these effects will increase the resistance
of the wire.

+5V
-
Load Strain O/P
Platform Gauges

Beam

0V

(a) (b)
Fig 6.9

The layout and circuit arrangement for the DIGIAC 1750 unit is shown in Fig 6.9.
Resistors are electro-deposited on a substrate on a contact block at the right-hand
end of the assembly.

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The gauge is normally connected in a Wheatstone Bridge arrangement with the

bridge balanced under no load conditions. Any change of resistance due to loading
unbalances the bridge and this is indicated by the detector (Galvanometer).

Standard Strain Dummy Active

Resistance Gauge Gauge Gauge Dummy Active

DC D D D
Supply
Standard Standard Standard Standard Active Dummy
Resistance Resistance

(a) (b) (c)

Fig 6.10

Fig 6.10(a) shows the basic Wheatstone Bridge arrangement with one strain gauge
transducer. This circuit is liable to give inaccurate results due to thermal changes.
A variation of temperature will also produce a change of resistance of the gauge
and this will be interpreted as a change of loading.

To correct for this an identical gauge is used and connected in circuit as shown in
Fig 6.10(b). This gauge is placed near to the other gauge but is arranged so that it
is not subjected to any loading.

Any variation of temperature now affects both gauges equally and there will be no
thermal effect on the bridge conditions. The gauge subjected to loading is referred
to as the active gauge and the other is called the dummy gauge.

The output from the circuit is small and to increase this, four gauges are normally
used with two active gauges and two dummies as shown in Fig 6.10(c).

The DIGIAC 1750 uses two active gauges formed along the axis of the beam and
two dummies formed at right angles to these.

The main characteristics of the device are:

Load capacity 100g Non-linearity 0.10%

Maximum deflection 0.5mm Hysteresis 0.03%
Sensitivity 25µV/g Creep 0.05%
Table 6.4

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6.6 Practical Exercise

Characteristics of a Strain Gauge Transducer

STRAIN GAUGE INSTRUMENTATION x100 AMPLIFIER

- AMPLIFIER
O/P O/P
O/P B - I/P
A-B +100VIN
+ A +
LOAD

MOVING COIL METER

5 0 5
AMPLIFIER #1
-10 +10
I/P O/P
+
.5 .6
- + .7
.4
-

JL
1 .3 .8
100
10 .9 0V
.2
.1 1.0
OFFSET GAIN COARSE GAIN FINE

Fig 6.11

You will need ten similar weights, such as ten equal value coins, to increase the
loading in regular steps.

Connect the circuit as shown in Fig 6.11 and set Amplifier #1 GAIN COARSE
control to 100.

Switch ON the power supply and with no load on the strain gauge platform,
adjust the offset control of Amplifier #1 so that the output voltage is zero.

Place all ten of your weights on the load platform and adjust the GAIN FINE
control to give an output voltage of 7.0V as indicated on the moving coil
meter.
Note that this value of output voltage should cover all ranges of coins within
the setting of the GAIN FINE control.

Place one weight (coin) on the load platform and note the output voltage.
Record the value in Table 6.5 overleaf.

Repeat the process, adding further weights one at a time, noting the output
voltage at each step and recording the values in Table 6.5.

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Number of 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
coins

Output Voltage 0
V V V V V V V V V V V
Table 6.5

Plot the graph of output voltage against number of coins on the axes
provided:

Output 7
Voltage 6.5
(volts) 6
5.5
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number of coins
Graph 6.3

6.6a Enter the output voltage obtained with four coins on the platform.

6.6b Your characteristic sketch is most similar to:

a b c d

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Student Assessment 6

1. A Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) has two secondary coils A and B.
When the core is moved to be nearest to coil A the voltages induced will be:
a the same in both coils b greater in coil A than in coil B
c greater in coil B than in coil A d reduced to zero

2. A Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) has its core centralized under the
primary and the voltage induced in one of the secondary coils is 500mV. The voltage
induced in the other coil will be:
a 250mV aiding b 500mV opposing c 500mV aiding d 1.0V opposing

3. A Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) has its core centralized under the
primary and the voltage induced in one of the secondary coils is 500mV. The secondary
output voltage will be:
a 0V b 250mV c 500mV d 1.0V

4. The output voltage of a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) is taken to

a full-wave rectifier. As the core is moved through the LVDT from one end to the other
the output voltage of the full-wave rectifier will:
a reverse polarity as the core passes through the central (neutral) position
b remain constant at all positions of the core
c gradually reduce from a maximum positive to zero
d reduce to minimum and then return to maximum positive again

Continued ...

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Student Assessment 6 Continued ...

5. The Linear Variable Capacitor mounted on the DIGIAC 1750 Trainer varies in
capacitance by changing:
a the nature of the dielectric
b varying the distance between the plates
c varying the effective cross-sectional-area of the plates
d the reactance of the capacitor due to a change in frequency

6. From the information given in the notes about the main characteristics of the Linear
Variable Capacitor, as the slug is moved the capacitance varies by about:
a 25pF/mm b 15pF/mm c 1.67pF/mm d 0.6pF/mm

7. When using a circuit similar to that investigated in Practical Exercise 6.4, as the slug
of a Variable Capacitor is moved in towards the middle of the sleeve the output
voltage:
a remains the same b increases c changes polarity d reduces

8. The main disadvantage of using a single Strain Gauge in a Wheatstone Bridge

sensing circuit is that it:
a has poor sensitivity b gives a non-linear response
c is affected by temperature d cannot be null-balanced

9. The strain gauge bridge used in the DIGIAC 1750 Trainer has:
a one active and one dummy strain gauges b two active and two dummy strain gauges
c four active strain gauges d two active and four dummy strain gauges

10. The difference between an active and a dummy strain gauge is that:
a they are made of different materials b an active gauge is longer than a dummy
c an active gauge is shorter than a dummy d they are mounted in different directions

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IT02 Environmental Measurements
Curriculum Manual Chapter 7

Chapter 7
Environmental Measurements

Objectives of Having studied this Chapter you will be able to:

this Chapter
Describe the construction and characteristics of an air
flow transducer.
Describe the construction and characteristics of an air
pressure transducer.
Describe the construction and characteristics of a
humidity transducer.

Equipment • DIGIAC 1750 Transducer and Instrumentation Trainer.

Required for • 4mm Connecting Leads.
this Chapter • Digital Multimeter.

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7.1 The Air Flow Transducer

RTD and
Heater

RTD Unheated

Fig 7.1

Fig 7.1 shows the construction of an Air Flow Transducer, consisting of two
RTD's (Resistance Temperature Dependent) mounted in a plastic case. One of the
devices has an integral heating element incorporated with it and the other is
unheated.

The operation of the device uses the principle that when air flows over the RTD's,
the temperature of the heated unit will fall more than that of the unheated unit. The
temperature difference will be related to the air flow rate which will in turn affect
the resistance of the RTD's.

With the DIGIAC 1750 Trainer, the transducers are enclosed in a clear plastic
container and provision is made for air to be pumped over the device.

Fig 7.2 shows the electrical circuit arrangement and main characteristics of the
device in the DIGIAC 1750 Trainer.

+5V Heater power 1W

- Output impedance 1.7k Ω
Output voltage (-). Pump OFF 2.1V
+ Output voltage (+). Pump OFF 1.7V
RTD RTD Voltage change (airflow) 0.06V
0V Table 7.1
Heater

Fig 7.2

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7.2 Practical Exercise

Characteristics of an Air Flow Transducer

AIR FLOW SENSOR PRESSURE

AIR PRESSURE SENSOR
FLOW

- -
O/P PUMP O/P
OFF ON
+ + MOVING COIL METER

V 0
AMPLIFIER #1 5 5
-10 +10
I/P O/P
0V INSTRUMENTATION
AMPLIFIER +
O/P .5 .6
- +
- .4 .7
B -

JL
A-B 1 .3 .8
A + 100
10 .9 0V
.2
.1 1.0
OFFSET GAIN COARSE GAIN FINE

Fig 7.3

Connect the circuit as shown in Fig 7.3 and set the GAIN COARSE control of
Amplifier #1 to 10 and GAIN FINE control to 1.0. Check that the pump
control is set to OFF.

Set the digital multimeter to the 20V range.

Switch ON the power supply and allow the temperature to stabilize.

Adjust the OFFSET control of Amplifier #1 for zero output continuously

during this time, setting the GAIN COARSE control to 100 when stabilized
conditions are approached.

Set the Flow/Pressure control to FLOW.

Check that the OFFSET control is set for zero output voltage.

Use the digital multimeter to note the voltages at the - and + outputs from
the transducer, then note the Amplifier #1 output voltage displayed on the
Moving Coil Meter. Record the values in Table 7.2 overleaf.

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Switch the pump ON and note the voltages again when conditions have
stabilized, recording the values in Table 7.2

Pump OFF Pump ON

Transducer - Output Voltage

V V
Transducer + Output Voltage
V V
Amplifier #1 Output Voltage 0
V
Table 7.2

The RTD's have a positive temperature coefficient.

7.2a Which output is connected to the heated RTD, - a or + b ?

Switch OFF the power supply and the pump.

Notes:
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7.3 The Air Pressure Transducer

Fig 7.4 shows the construction of an air pressure transducer and also shows the
electric circuit arrangement of the DIGIAC 1750 unit. The device consists of an
outer plastic case which is open to the atmosphere via two ports. Within this case
is an inner container from which the air has been evacuated and a strain gauge
Wheatstone bridge circuit is fitted on the surface.

+5V

Backing Plate
Strain Gauge -
O/P
Ports Contacts
+
Vacuum Cavity
0V

Construction Electrical Circuit

Fig 7.4

The air pressure in the outer container will produce an output from the bridge and
variation of the pressure will produce a variation of this output.

The transducer output can be calibrated and may be called an absolute pressure
transducer.

Provision is made for air to be fed to the unit from the pump.

The main characteristics of the device are:

Type SPX200AN
Sensitivity (typical) Voltage difference 35mV
300µV/kPa
Pump OFF
Temperature coefficient 1350ppm/°C Voltage difference 39mV
Pump ON
Output Voltage (-) 2.48V Output impedance 1.6kΩ
Pump OFF
Output Voltage (+) 2.51V
Pump ON
Table 7.3

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7.4 Practical Exercise

Characteristics of an Air Pressure Transducer

AIR FLOW SENSOR PRESSURE

AIR PRESSURE SENSOR INSTRUMENTATION x100 AMPLIFIER
FLOW
AMPLIFIER
- - O/P O/P
B - I/P
O/P PUMP O/P
A-B +100VIN
OFF ON
+ + A +

MOVING COIL METER

AMPLIFIER #1 0
5 5
I/P O/P -10 +10

- +
.5 .6 +
.4 .7
1 .3 .8 -

JL
100
10 .2 .9
1.0
0V
.1
OFFSET GAIN COARSE GAIN FINE

Fig 7.5

Connect the circuit as shown in Fig 7.5 and set the Amplifier #1 GAIN
COARSE control to 10 and GAIN FINE control to 0.3. Ensure that the pump
switch is set OFF.

Switch ON the power supply and adjust the OFFSET control of Amplifier #1
for zero output voltage. The unit is now calibrated zero for the current value
of the atmospheric pressure.

Set the Flow/Pressure control to PRESSURE and then switch the pump ON.
The output voltage from the Amplifier #1 will increase. Note the value of
this voltage.

Output voltage (Pump ON) = V

7.4a Enter your value of output voltage with the Pump ON in V.

Note that a large amplification is required due to the low magnitude of the device
output.

Switch OFF the power supply and the pump.

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7.5 The Humidity Transducer

Fig 7.6(a) shows the construction of a humidity transducer, consisting of a thin

disc of a material whose properties vary with humidity. Each side of the disc is
metalized to form a capacitor.

I/P
Capacitor
Plates

Dielectric O/P
Disc

47kΩ

0V

Contacts

(a) (b)
Fig 7.6

Variation of humidity of the surrounding air alters the permittivity and/or

thickness of the dielectric material, changing the value of the capacitor. The unit is
housed in a perforated plastic case.

Fig 7.6(b) shows the electrical circuit arrangement for the DIGIAC 1750 unit.

The unit is connected in series with a resistor with the output taken from the
resistor. With an alternating voltage applied to the input, the output voltage will
vary with humidity due to the variation of capacitance of the transducer.

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The main characteristics of the device are:

Type 90001
Capacitance (25°C, 45%R/H) 122pF 15%
Sensitivity 0.4pF/%RH
Humidity Range 10%-90% RH
Table 7.4

Ambient H umidit y
Note: R/H is Relative Humidity, x 100%.
Sat urated Air

The device is slow to respond fully to humidity changes, taking in the order of
minutes, but this will normally be of no consequence in practice since natural
changes in humidity are very slow.

The variation of output voltage from the circuit is only a small percentage of the
output and this is difficult to detect.

In the practical exercise you will use signal processing circuits which are available
on the DIGIAC 1750 Trainer to convert the output to a DC signal, balance out the
standing DC level and thus enable amplification of the small voltage changes.

Notes:
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Curriculum Manual Chapter 7

7.6 Practical Exercise

Characteristics of a Humidity Transducer

A.C. AMPLIFIER 40kHz FILTER FULL WAVE RECTIFIER

40kHz OSCILLATOR HUMIDITY SENSOR O/P
O/P O/P
I/P I/P
O/P I/P I/P
VIN

O/P 10
V
1000
100
GAIN DIFFERENTIAL
AMPLIFIER
SLIDE O/P
C 0V
B -
A-B
B
A +
A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10k Ω MOVING COIL METER

5 0 5
AMPLIFIER #1
+5V -10 +10
I/P O/P
+
.5 .6
- + .4 .7
-

JL
1 .3 .8
100
10 .9 0V
.2
.1 1.0
OFFSET GAIN COARSE GAIN FINE

Fig 7.7

Connect the circuit as shown in Fig 7.7, setting the AC Amplifier gain
control to 10 and the Amplifier #1 GAIN COARSE control to 10 and GAIN
FINE to 1.0.

Switch ON the power supply, remove the leads from the Differential
Amplifier inputs and connect a short circuit between them. Adjust the
OFFSET control of Amplifier #1 for zero output. Switch GAIN COARSE to 100
and make a final adjustment.

Replace the connections to the inputs of the Differential Amplifier and

adjust the control of the 10kΩ carbon resistor for zero output from Amplifier
#1. It may be advisable to set the coarse gain to 10 initially and then back to
100 finally during this process.

The bridge circuit is now balanced for the ambient conditions, the Differential
Amplifier input from the 10kΩ variable resistor balancing that from the rectifier.

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Note the output voltage from the rectifier circuit as indicated by the digital
voltmeter.

Output Voltage Digital Meter Moving Coil Meter

Ambient 0
Conditions V V

After Breathing
V V
Table 7.5

Now place your mouth near the humidity transducer and breath on it for a
short time. The reading indicated by the Moving Coil Meter will change
slowly.
Note the maximum value of the voltage and also the reading of the digital
voltmeter.
Considering the readings obtained. Which meter do you consider gives a better
indication of the voltage changes:
a the Digital Multimeter, or b the Moving Coil Meter?

7.6a Enter your answer, a or b .

The time taken for the output voltage to return to zero after reaching the maximum
voltage illustrates the slow response of the device to humidity changes.

Time taken for output to return to zero =

Was the time taken for recovery less than 10 minutes a , or more b ?

7.6b Enter your answer, a or b .

Switch OFF the power supply.

Note: It is advisable to check the OFFSET of Amplifier #1 at regular intervals in

case there has been any drift. This can be checked by just removing both of
the input connections from the Differential Amplifier. The OFFSET control
can then be adjusted if necessary.

The ambient humidity conditions should not change during the test, but should a
change occur, the bridge output will not return to zero.

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Curriculum Manual Chapter 7

Student Assessment 7

1. The operating principle of the Air Flow Transducer relies on the use of:
a strain gauges b RTD's c a capacitor d a pressure pump

2. The Instrumentation Amplifier used in these experiments is a form of:

a differential amplifier b bandpass filter
c AC amplifier d summing amplifier

3. In Practical Exercise 7.2 (Air Flow Transducer Characteristics) the moving coil meter
was balanced to zero at the start of the experiment using the:
a 10-turn variable resistor on the Wheatstone Bridge panel
b 10kΩ carbon slider potentiometer
c balancing inputs on the Instrumentation Amplifier
d offset control on Amplifier #1

4. The operating principle of the Air Pressure Transducer relies on the use of:
a strain gauges b RTD's c a capacitor d a pressure pump

5. The output from an Air Pressure Transducer device is derived from a:

a series resistor b series capacitor c bridge circuit d x100 amplifier

6. At the start of the Air Pressure Transducer Characteristic experiment the output of the
device is calibrated zero against:
a relative humidity b ambient temperature
c atmospheric pressure d ambient illumination

Continued ...

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Environmental Measurements IT02
Chapter 7 Curriculum Manual

Student Assessment 7 Continued ...

7. The operating principle of the Humidity Transducer relies on the use of:
a strain gauges b RTD's c a capacitor d a pressure pump

8. The output from a humidity detector circuit varies between DC values of 3.50V and
3.52V over its full humidity range. Which of the following signal processing circuits
would be necessary to provide an output range from 0 - 10V DC?
a AC amplifier b oscillator c DC amplifier d 40 kHz filter

9. In the Humidity Transducer investigation, the DC component of the full-wave rectifier

circuit was balanced out using:
a 10-turn variable resistor on the Wheatstone Bridge panel
b 10kΩ carbon slider potentiometer
c balancing inputs on the Instrumentation Amplifier
d offset control on Amplifier #1

10. The device investigated in this chapter with the slowest response time was the:
a Air Flow Sensor b Air Pressure Sensor
c Strain Gauge d Humidity Sensor

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