Measurement of Resistance

Prepared by
Dr.Subir Das
Assistant Professor
Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Agartala
Tripura-799046
 Topic Covered
 Measurement of Low resistance
 Ammeter & Voltmeter Method
 Potentiometer Method
 Kelvin Double Bridge Method
 Measurement of Medium resistance
 Substitution Method
 Wheatstone Bridge
 Measurement of High resistance
 Loss of Charge Method
 Meggar

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 Measurement of Low Resistance
 Ammeter & Voltmeter Method
In this method, current through the unknown resistor (Rx) and the potential drop
across it are simultaneously measured. The readings are obtained by ammeter and
voltmeters respectively. There are two ways in ammeter and voltmeters may be
connected for measurement as,

Current through ammeter = Current through(𝑅x) + Current Current through ammeter = Current through(𝑅x)
through voltmeter

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 Measurement of Low Resistance
 Potentiometer Method
In this method, the unknown resistance is compared with a standard resistance of the
same order of magnitude.

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 Measurement of Low Resistance
 What is the need of Kelvin Bridge?
Wheatstone bridge use for measuring the resistance from a few
ohms to several kilo-ohms. But error occurs in the result when
it is used for measuring the low resistance. This is the reason
because of which the Wheatstone bridge is modified, and the
Kelvin bridge obtains. The Kelvin bridge is suitable for
measuring the low resistance.
 Modification of Wheatstone Bridge
 In Wheatstone Bridge, while measuring the low-value resistance,
the resistance of their lead and contacts increases the resistance
of their total measured value. This can easily be understood with
the help of the circuit diagram.

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 Measurement of Low Resistance
So, instead of connecting the galvanometer from point, m and n we chose any
intermediate point say d where the resistance of lead r is divided into two equal parts,
i.e., r1 and r2

The presence of r1 causes no error in the measurement of unknown resistance.

From equation (1), we get

The above equation shows that if the galvanometer connects at point d then
the resistance of lead will not affect their results.

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 Measurement of Low Resistance
 Kelvin Double Bridge Method
It is a modified version of Wheatstone bridge and used to measure the low resistances
with higher accuracy. This bridge is called double bridge since the circuit contains a
second set of ratio arms (p and q). This second set of ratio arms connects the
galvanometer (G) to a point f at the appropriate potential difference between c and d
and this eliminates the effect of yoke resistance r. The galvanometer shows zero
reading when potential at a equals to the potential at f, i.e. the bridge is balanced.

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 Measurement of Medium Resistance
 Wheatstone Bridge
 Wheatstone bridge consists of four arms known as resistors and the ratio of the two of
these resistors is kept at a fixed value. The remaining two arms are balanced, one of
them is an unknown resistor while the other resistance of the other arm can be varied.

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 Measurement of Medium Resistance

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 Measurement of High Resistance
Meggar

A megger is used to measure insulation resistance and it is powered by a inbuilt DC

generator or battery of a higher voltage range, it is called Megohmmeter.

What is Insulator?
In every electrical equipment or apparatus, “conductors” and “insulators” are used.

The conductor is meant to provide the path to carry the current of electricity

The insulator for preventing the current from leakage in that path.

Why perform an insulation resistance test?

The insulation resistance is a quality of an electrical system that reduces with time,
environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, moisture, and dust
particles.

As result, major electrical shock, which could be deadly.

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 Meggar
Types of Meggar

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 Meggar
Constriction

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 Meggar
 Advantages
• Frequent meggering makes to understand the insulation
resistance of electrical equipment such as motor,
transformer, etc. thereby we come to know their
healthiness.
• Physical damages can be identified, which may lead
to electrical shock due to leakages.
 Disadvantages
• Hand-driven megger is less preferred over electronic
megger because it requires two persons. One for cranking
and the other for testing.
• Accuracy varies with cranking the megger.

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