Wheatstone Bridge

OBJECTIVES

 Describe how to use a Wheatstone bridge to compare two resistances

 Understand that a Wheatstone bridge is a double potential divider
Theory and operation of the Wheatstone
bridge
 The Wheatstone Bridge was originally developed by Charles Wheatstone to measure
unknown resistance vales and as a means of calibrating measuring instruments such as
voltmeters, ammeters etc by the use of a long resistive slide wire.
 What is Wheatstone Bridge?
Definition 1:
 Wheatstone bridge, also known as the resistance bridge, is used to calculate the unknown resistance by
balancing two legs of the bridge circuit, of which one leg includes the component of unknown resistance.
The value of unknown resistance is determined by comparing it with the known resistance.
 It was invented by Samuel Hunter Christie in the year 1833, which was later popularized by Sir Charles
Wheatstone in 1843.
 The Wheatstone bridge works on the principle of null deflection, i.e. the ratio of their resistances are equal,
and no current flows through the galvanometer. This bridge is very reliable as it gives accurate
measurements.
 It is where there is no reading on the Galvanometer meaning that the needle doesn’t move and because it
doesn’t move, current flowing through the branch in the circuit will be zero
Definition 2:

 The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is nothing more than

two simple series-parallel arrangements of resistances
connected between a voltage supply terminal.
 Here, there is zero voltage difference between the two
parallel branches when balanced. In terms of
arrangement, the four resistors are configured in a
diamond-like arrangement as shown below:
 NOTE: Under normal conditions, the bridge remains
in the unbalanced condition, i.e. the current flow
through the galvanometer. However, when balanced,
zero current passes through the galvanometer. This
can be done by adjusting the known resistance P, Q
and the variable resistance S and once in this state,
the Wheatstone bridge can be analyzed simply as two
simple series strings in parallel.
 Working of the Galvanometer
 The bridge is in balance condition when no current flows through the coil or the potential
difference across the galvanometer is zero. This condition occurs when the potential
difference across b and d is zero. Also Potential difference across a to b and a to d are
equal, and the potential differences across the b to c and c to d remain same.
 The current enters into the galvanometer divides into I 1  and I 2 , and their magnitude
remains same. The following condition exists when the current through the galvanometer
is zero.
 Wheatstone bridge consists of _________
a) 4 resistive arms
b) 2 resistive arms
c) 6 resistive arms
d) 8 resistive arms

A galvanometer is used as a _________
a) current source
b) voltage source
c) null detector
d) input impedance

The opposite two ends of a Wheatstone bridge consist of _________
a) voltage and current source
b) e.m.f and null detector
c) resistance and capacitance
d) inductance and impedance
 What is connected between the two ends of a Wheatstone bridge?
a) current and voltage source
b) ammeter and voltmeter
c) battery and galvanometer
d) ohmmeter and wattmeter

Wheatstone bridge works on the principle of ________
a) full deflection
b) partial deflection
c) no deflection
d) null deflection