EXPERIMENT NO.

10
Aim: Measurement of low resistance by Kelvin’s double bridge

Apparatus Used: Power Supply, Resistance Box, DPIC etc.

Theory: The Kelvin double bridge incorporates the idea of a second set of ratio arms - hence the name
double bridge- and the use of four terminal resistors for the low resistance arms.Fig.1. shows the
schematic diagram of Kelvin bridge. The first ratio arms is P and Q. The second set of ratio arms p and q
is used to connect the galvanometer to a point d at the appropiate potential between points m and n to
eliminate the effect of connecting lead resistance r between the unknown resistance R and the standard
resistance S. The ratio p/q is made equal to P/Q. Under balance conditions there is no current through the
galvanometer which means that the voltage drop between a and b, Eab is equal to voltage drops

Now if Eq (2) is the usual working equation for the kelvin bridge. It indicates that the resistance of
connecting lead, r, has no effect on the measurement, provided that the two sets of ratio arms have equal
ratios

Procedure:

 Set the voltage (V=12V) and switch on the board. Keep Switch(S) in 'Short' mode and adjust the
rheostat (Rs) to maintain the current 2A, 3A, 4A or 5A in the circuit.
 Then set Switch(S) to 'Open' mode and set Low resistance(S) value within 0.001 to 0.01 ohm from
'Set The Unknown Resistance 'S'' box.
 Then set Switch(S) to 'Bridge' mode and Switch(K) to 'Open' mode.
 Vary the values of RA, RB, Ra and Rb from the control box below or directly put the values in the
boxes of respective elements to get a zero deflection on the millivoltmeter pointer.
 Now, set Switch (K) to 'Close' mode and again vary the values of R A, RB, Ra and Rb to get a zero
deflection on the milli voltmeter pointer.
 If "NULL" is achieved, click on 'Calculate' on 'Calculated Unknown Resistance Value' box to
observe calculated value of unknown resistance (S).
 Measured values of resistance measurements using Wheatstone bridge

Rx R3 Measured value of RX using % Error

Nominal resistance at balanced condition bridge equation
1 988 1
2.2 2.169 2.17
3.3 3.255 3.53
4.3 4.253 4.233
5.1 5.045 5.050