CHAPTER 3

ELECTRODYNAMIC
INSTRUMENTS

Dr. Gamal Sowilam

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the chapter, students should
be able to:
 Describe construction of an electrodynamic
instrument and explain its dc and ac
operation.
 Describe how an electrodynamic instrument
may be used as a voltmeter, an ammeter, and
a wattmeter.
Introduction
 The electrodynamic instrument is similar to the
permanent magnet moving-coil (PMMC) instrument
except that is uses coils instead of a permanent magnet.

 The most important application of the electrodynamic

instrument is as a wattmeter.
Construction and Operation
 The major difference from PMMC instrument is that two magnetic
field coils are substituted in place of the permanent magnet.
 The magnetic field in which the moving coil
is pivoted is generated by passing a current Scale
through the stationary field coils.
 When a current flows through the pivoted Pivot
Moving Coil
coil, the two fluxes interact, causing the coil (M)
and pointer to be deflected.
 Spiral springs provide controlling force and Fixed Coil
connecting leads to the pivoted coil. (F)

Spring

I2

I1 I1
 Another major difference from PMMC instrument is that it
usually has air damping.
 A lightweight vane pushes air around in an enclosure when the
pivoted coil is in motion. This damps out all rapid movements
and oscillations of the moving system.
 Electrodynamic instrument can be used on ac. The alternating
current would induce unwanted eddy currents in a metallic coil
former.
 The damping method for a PMMC
instrument will not be suitable for an
electrodynamic instrument.
 No iron core in an electrodynamic
instrument. So, the field flux is much
smaller than in an PMMC instrument.
 To produce a strong enough deflecting torque, the moving -
coil current must be much larger than the small currents
required in a PMMC instrument.

Deflecting Torque
Let the current passing through the fixed coil be I1 and that through
the moving coil be I2. Since there is no iron, magnetic field density
B is proportional to I1.
∴ B = KI1 where K is a constant
The deflecting torque on the coil of dimensions l × b is given
by:
TD = NBI2lb = NKI1I2lb = K1 I1I2 (K1=NKlb)

I2
TD  I field coil I moving coil
I1 I1
Since the instrument is spring-controlled, the restoring or control
torque is proportional to the angular deflection θ.
Tc = K2 θ

At balance K1I1I2 = K2θ or θ ∝ I1 I2

 When the same current flows through field
coils and pivoted coil, the deflecting torque: TD  I 2
 This gives the deflection angle as:  CI 2
• The major disadvantages of an eletrodynamic instrument are
the non linear scale and the lower sensitivity.
• No iron core in an electrodynamic instrument. So, the field
flux is much smaller than in an PMMC instrument i.e. the
moving coil current must be much larger than the small
currents required in a PMMC instrument.
• A major advantage of an eletrodynamic instrument that it is
not polarized; that is, a positive deflection is obtained
regardless of the direction of current in the coils. Thus it can
be used to measure ac or dc.
• This instrument can be used either as an ammeter or a voltmeter
but is generally used as a wattmeter.
1. Electrodynamic Voltmeter
• When the instrument is used as a voltmeter, the fixed and
moving coils are joined in series (I = I1 = I2 ) along with a
high resistance (R) and connected in parallel with the load.

V
 The multiplier resistor is made of manganin or constantan.
 When the total resistance of the coils and the required
current for FSD are known, the multiplier resistance is
calculated exactly as for dc voltmeters.

 The instrument scale can be read either as dc voltage or

rms ac voltage.

 An electrodynamic voltmeter is not suitable for measuring

voltages in electronics circuits because of the loading
effect.
2. Electrodynamic Ammeter
The moving coil and its series-
connected swamping resistance
are connected in parallel with
the ammeter shunt.
 The two field coils should be
connected in series with the Swamping
resistor
parallel arrangement of shunt
and moving coil.
 The instrument scale can be
read either as dc levels or rms
ac values.

 This instrument can be calibrated on dc and then used to

measure either dc or ac.
 3. Electrodynamic Wattmeter
 The fixed circular coil which
carries the main circuit current I1 is
wound in two halves positioned
parallel to each other.
 The moving coil which is pivoted
centrally carries a current I2 which
is proportional to the voltage V.
Deflecting Torque (F)
Since coils are air-cored, the flux density
produced is directly proportional to the
current I1.
∴ B ∝ I1 or B = K1 I1 (M)

current I2 ∝ V or I2 = K2 V
Now ∴ TD = NABI2 = KV I1 = K × power The equivalent diagrammatic view

 The wattmeter can be calibrated on dc and then used to measure power

in either dc or ac circuits.
Source of Error in Wattmeter
If the wattmeter is connected as shown:
 If the moving coil (or voltage coil) circuit is connected in
parallel with the load, the field coil pass a current (I+Iv), the sum
of the load current and the moving-coil current.
 This results in the wattmeter indicating the load power (EI), plus
a small additional quantity (EIv).

 Where the load current is

very much larger than Iv, this
error may be negligible.

 In low-load-current situations,
the error may be quite
significant.
If the wattmeter connected as shown
 The voltage coil is connected to the supply side of the field coils
so that only the load current flows through the field coils.
 However, the voltage applied to the series-connected moving coil
and multiplier is E + EF (the load voltage plus the voltage drop
across the field coils).

 Now the wattmeter indices load

power (EI) plus an additional
quantity (EFI).
 In high-voltage circuits, the
error may be insignificant.
 In low-voltage conditions, this
error may be serious.
Compensated Wattmeter
 To eliminate the errors.
Since the field coils carry load current, they must be wound of thick
copper wire.
 An additional thin conductor is
wound right alongside every turn on
the field coils. This additional coil
becomes part of the voltage coil
circuit.
 The voltage coil circuit is connected
directly across the load, so that the
moving coil current is always
proportional to load voltage.

 The additional winding cancels the field flux, the wattmeter

deflection is directly proportional to EI.
Using Wattmeters
 Before using, check the mechanical zero and adjust it.
 While zeroing, tap the instrument gently.
 The current circuit must be connected in series and the
voltage circuit must be connected in parallel with the load in
which power is to be measured.
 If the pointer deflects to the left of zero, either the current
terminals or voltage terminals must be reversed.
 Select a voltage range equal to or higher than the supply
voltage.
 Select the highest current range.
 Ensure the voltage coil does not have an excessive current
flow and avoid excessive current flows through the current
coils.
 Useful for measurement on supply frequencies up to a
maximum of 500 Hz, not suitable for high-frequency power
measurements.
 THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION!!