Experiment

DC
Wheatstone bridge and ∆-Y
Conversions
5
Objectives:
To become familiar with the Wheatstone bridge and ∆-Y conversions.

Equipment :

- Resistors : ( 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 270 Ω, 1 k Ω )

- 1 k Ω potentiometer
- Unmarked fixed resistor in range 47 Ω to 220 Ω
- DMM (or VOM)
- DC Power Supply
- Commercial Wheatstone bridge (if available)

Theory :

The Wheatstone bridge is an instrument used to make precision measurements of

unknown resistance levels. The basic configuration appears in Fig 5.1. The unknown
resistance is Rx and R1, R2, and R3 are precision of resistors of known value.

Figure 5.1

1
The Network is balanced when the galvanometer (G) has a zero-level indication.
We are aware from circuit theory that if IG = 0 A, the voltage Vbd is zero and

Vab = Vad and Vbc = Vdc

By substitution,

I1R1 = IxRx 5.1

And

I2R2 = I3R3 5.2

Solving Eq (5.1) for I1 yields

IxRx
I1 =
R1

Substituting I1 for I2 and Ix for I3 in Eq.(14.2), we have

IxRx
I1R2=IxR3 or ( )R2=IxR3
R1

Canceling Ix from both sides and solving for Rx, we obtain

Rx=(R1/R2)R3

Or in the ratio form

R1/R2=Rx/R3
In the commercial Wheatstone bridge, R1 and R2 are variable in decade steps so
that the ratio R1/R2 is a decimal or integral multiplier. R3 is continuous variable
resistor, such as slide-wire rheostat. Before the unknown resistor is connected to
terminals of commercial bridge, the R1/R2 ratio (called the factor of the ratio arms) is
adjusted for that particular unknown resistor. After resistor is connected, R3 is
adjusted until there is no detectable current indicated by the galvanometer
(Galvanometer sensitivities are usually 10-10 A or better.) The unknown resistance
value is ratio factor times the R3 setting. There are certain circuit configurations in
which the resistors do not appear to be in series or parallel. Under these conditions, it
is necessary to convert the circuit in question from one form to another. The two
circuits to be investigated in this experiment are the delta and wye, both of which
appear in Fig. 5.2. To convert a delta to a wye ( or vice versa), we use the following
conversion equations:

Figure 5.2

2
R1=(RARC)/(RA+RB+RC) R2=(RBRC)/(RA+RB+RC
R3=(RARB)/(RA+RB+RC)

RA=(R1R2+R1R3+R2R3)/R2 RB=(R1R2+R1R3+R2R3)/R1

RC=(R1R2+R1R3+R2R3)/R3
If RA=RB=RC ,

RΔ
Ry = 3
If R1=R2=R3

RΔ = 3 Ry

Procedure:

Part 1: Wheatstone bridge circuit

(a) Construct the network of Fig. 5.3. Insert the measured values each resistor
and set potentiometer to the maximum resistance setting.

Figure 5.3

(b) Starting with meter on higher voltage scale, vary potentiometer until the
voltage Vab is close to zero as possible. Then drop the voltage scales to the
lowest range possible to set the voltage Vab as close to zero volts as possible.
The bridge is now balanced.

(c) Measure the voltages Vda, Vdb, Vac, Vbc

Vda=---------------, Vdb=--------------, Vac=-----------------, Vbc=---------------

3
(d) Calculate the currents I1 and I3 using Ohms law. Are they equal as defined in
the resume of theory? ( Report )

I1=--------------- , I3=----------------

(e) Disconnect one lead of potentiometer (using as a rheostat) and measure its
resistance

Rpot=-----------------

(f) Calculate the currents I2 and I4 using the results of (c) and Ohms law.
Are they equal as defined in the resume of theory? ( Report )

I2=------------------------ , I4=----------------------

(g) Verify that the following ratio is satisfied . ( Report )

R1 R2
= R4
R3

(h) Replace the 91 ohm resistor by unknown resistor. Proceed as before to adjust the
potentiometer until Vab=0 V. Remove the variable resistor and measure its
resistance with the ohmmeter section of your multimeter .

Rpot=----------------

(i) Calculate the unknown resistance using Eq. (5.3). ( Report )

Rx=--------------

4
Part 3 : 𝚫 – 𝐲 conversions

(a) Construct the network of Fig. 5.4. Insert the measured values of the 220 ohm
resistors. Assume for moment that each 1k ohm resistor is exactly 1k ohm.

Figure 5.4

(b) Calculate the current I and the voltage Vab using any method other than a Δ-
y (that is ,mesh analysis, nodal analysis and so on) . ( Report )

I=----------------, Vab=--------------

(c) Measure the current I and the voltage Vab and compare to the results of (b)

I=---------------, Vab =--------------

(d) Calculate the equivalent Y for the Δ formed by three 1k oham resistors. Draw
the equivalent circuit with delta replaced by Y.
(e) Insert the values of resistors in the Y in Fig. 5.5 and also current I and the
voltage Vab . current I and the voltage Vab ..

Figure 5.5