Electromechanical

Instruments
 PMMC Instruments
• PMMC stands for permanent magnet moving
coil;
• Consists of a light weight coil of copper wire
suspended in the field of a permanent magnet;
• Current in wire causes the coil to produce a
magnetic field that interacts with the field from
the magnet, resulting a partial rotation of coil.
• A pointer connected to the coil deflects over a
calibrated scale, indicating the level of current
flowing in the wire.
 PMMC Instruments
• PMMC can also be made to function as a
• DC Ammeter
• DC Voltmeter
• Ohm Meter
• Multi range Meters
 PMMC Instruments
• The electrodynamic instrument is similar to
the PMMC instrument except that it uses
stationary coil instead of a permanent
magnet.
• The most important application of the
electrodynamic instrument is as a
wattmeter.
 Deflecting
Instruments
Fundamentals
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

• They uses a pointer that moves over a

calibrated scale to indicate a measured
quantity.
• Three forces are operating inside the
instrument:
– Deflecting
– Controlling
– Damping
Example: Permanent Magnet Moving Coil (PMMC)
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

Deflecting Force
• It causes the pointer to move from its
zero position when current flows.

• In PMMC instrument the deflecting

force is magnetic.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals
• When the current flows in a
lightweight moving coil
pivoted between the poles
of a permanent magnet.

• The current sets up a

magnetic field that interacts
with the field of the
permanent magnet.

• The force is exerted on the

current carrying coil situated
in a magnetic field.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

• Consequently, a force is
exerted on the coil turns,
causing the coil to rotate on
its pivot.

• As pointer is fixed to coil, so

it moves over the scale with
coil rotates.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

Controlling Force
• It is provided by the spiral springs in
PMMC.

• The springs retain the coil and pointer

at their zero position when no current
is flowing.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

• When the current flows, the

spring wind up as the coil
rotates.

• The force they (deflecting &

controlling) exert on the coil
increases.

• The coil and pointer stop

rotating when the controlling
force becomes equal to the
damping force.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

• The material of a spring

must be nonmagnetic to
avoid any magnetic field
influence on the controlling
force.
• Since the springs are also
to make the electrical
connection to the coil, the
must have a low resistance.

• Phosphor bronze is usually

used.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

• The pointer and coil tend to

oscillate for some time before
setting down at their final
position.
• A damping force is required to
minimize the oscillations.
• The damping force must be
present when the coil is in
motion.
• Generated by the rotation of
the coil.
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals
Deflecting Instruments Fundamentals

• In PMMC
instruments
damping force is
normally
provided by Eddy
currents.

• Coil frame is constructed of aluminum (nonmagnetic).

• Eddy current induced in frame which produce magnetic

flux that oppose the coil.
Methods of supporting
moving system
Jewel-bearing suspension
• The pointed end shafts
fastened to the coil are
inserted into cone-shaped
cuts.
• This allows the coil to rotate
freely with least possible
friction.
• Bearings may be broken in
some cases due to shock of
an instrument.
• Some jewel bearings are
spring supported.
Taut-band suspension
• Two metal flat ribbons
(phosphor bronze or
platinum alloy) are held
under the tension by springs
to support the coil.
• Due to springs, metal
ribbons behave like rubber
under tension.
• Ribbons also exert
controlling force as they
twist.
• Ribbons are also used for
electrical connections.
Comparison
Jewel-Bearing Taut-band

• Less sensitive. • Much more sensitive due to

less friction.

• Full scale deflection with • Full scale deflection with

current coil of 25μA. current coil 2μA.

• Less rugged as compared • Spring mounted behave as

to taut-band instruments. rubber band which make it
more rugged.
PMMC Construction
• A permanent magnet with
two soft-iron pole shoes.
• A cylindrical soft-iron core is
positioned between the
shoes.
• One of two controlling spiral
spring is shown.
• One end of this spring is
fastened to the pivoted coil,
and the other end is
connected to and adjustable
zero position control.
PMMC Construction
• The current in the coil must
flow in one direction so that
the pointer move from zero
position over the scale.
• The terminal (+) and (-)
indicates the correct polarity
for connection, and the
instrument is said to be
polarized.
• So it cannot be used directly
for alternating current
without rectifier, it is purely a
dc instrument.
Torque Equation And Scale
• When current 𝐼 flows through a one turn coil situated in
magnetic field, a force 𝐹 is exerted on each side of the
coil is:
𝐹 = 𝐵𝐼𝑙 newtons
B is the magnetic flux density,
𝐼 is the current and 𝑙 is the length of the coil.
Since the force act on each side of coil, the total force for a
coil of N turns is
𝐹 = 2𝐵𝐼𝑙𝑁 newtons
The force at coil radius r, produce deflecting torque:
𝑇 = 𝐵𝐼𝑙𝑁 2𝑟 newton meters (N.m)
𝑇 = 𝐵𝐼𝑙𝑁𝐷
Example