Unit 5

DC Ammeter

Dr. G.R.Venkatakrishnan

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Module Objective
 The objective of this module is
 To discuss the construction and working of basic type of ammeter

 To explain the working of multi range ammeter

 To explain the working of Ayrton shunt

 To list the precautions to be taken care before using the ammeter

 To list the requirement of shunt resistance which is to connected along
with ammeter.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Module Outcome
 After completing this module, students can able to
 Explain the construction and working of basic type of ammeter

 Elaborate the working of multi range ammeter

 Discuss the working of Ayrton shunt

 List the precautions to be taken care before using the ammeter

 List the requirement of shunt resistance which is to connected along
with ammeter.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

DC Ammeter
 Constructed using the basic movement
of any indicating instrument.
 But, with the basic movement alone
can carry only small current for full-
scale deflection because the coil
winding is small and light.
 Shunt resistance – used to bypass the
excess current flowing through the
instrument.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

DC Ammeter (Contd..,)
 Shunt resistance - calculated by applying conventional circuit
analysis.
 Voltage drop across the shunt = Voltage across the movement
(Parallel)

 Therefore, IsRs = ImRm and

 Since Is = I – Im, we get

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

DC Ammeter (Contd..,)
 Here, m is the multiplying factor of the shunt and is defined as the
ratio of total current to the current through the coil.
 Therefore, and
 Hence, using the above equations, it can be concluded that

“if the range of ammeter is to be increased m times, then the shunt

resistance should be selected in such a way that it is

times the resistance of the meter”

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Multi range Ammeter
 Three shunts, Ra, Rb and Rc which are
placed in parallel with the basic
movement to give three different current
ranges.
 Switch S is a multi-position Make-
Before-Break type.
 Hence, the movement of the pointer
does not get damaged because the range
of movement is always restricted by the
shunt.
G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter
Ayrton Shunt
 Eliminates the possibility of having the
meter in the circuit without a shunt
 Also known as universal shunt
 Range of the ammeter – Varies based on
the location of the selector switch S.
 The switch S helps in selecting the
appropriate value of shunt to change the
range of the ammeter.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Ayrton Shunt (Contd..,)
 When the switch position is at 3, then the resistance R a is in parallel with the series

combination of Rb, Rc, and Rm.

 In this case, Ish will be more than Im.

 When the switch is at 2, then the series resistance of R a and Rb will be in parallel with the

series resistance of Rc and Rm .

 When the switch is at 1, then the series resistance of R a , Rb and Rc will be in parallel with

the meter resistance Rm .

 At this position, the maximum current starts flowing through the meter.

 The design of Ra , Rb and Rc is as follows.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Ayrton Shunt (Contd..,)
 we know that, the voltage drop across the two parallel branches in
the circuit is always equal
 Therefore, when the switch S is at position
 3, we get
 2, we get

 1, we get

 Here, the current I1 is the minimum value and I3 is the maximum

value.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Precautions in Using the Ammeter
 Since the resistance of the ammeter is very low, it should be connected in
series with load, i.e., it should not be connected across any voltage source.
 Observation of polarities is important, since connecting ammeter in
opposite polarities deflects the pointer in the opposite direction that is
against the mechanical movement. Hence, this movement damages the
pointer.
 Care should be taken in using a Multi range Ammeter. Starting from the
highest current range, the current range should be decreased to meet the
requirement.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Requirements of a Shunt Resistance
 Temperature coefficient of both shunt and meter resistances should be equal
and as low as possible.
 Shunt resistance should not vary with respect to time and it should be stable.
 Current flowing through shunt resistance should not increase beyond a
particular limit, since it increases the temperature beyond the safe limit.
 Soldering between the shunt resistance should be in such a way that it has a
low dielectric voltage drop
 Resistances made of Manganin and Constantan are used as shunt for DC and
AC instruments respectively.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Assessment
 _________________ helps in bypassing the excess current flowing through
ammeter.
a) Series resistance
b) Shunt resistance
Answer: b)

 If the range of ammeter is increased 3 times, then value of shunt resistance is

_________ times the resistance of the meter
a) 2 c) 0.33

b) 3 d) 0.5

Answer: d)
G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter
Assessment (Contd..,)
 Resistance value of ammeter is
a) Low c) Very high
b) High d) Very low

Answer: d)
 In general, the ammeter is connected in parallel to the load.
a) True

b) False

Answer: b)

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

Summary
 In this module,
 Construction and working of basic type of ammeter with neat diagram

 Working of multi range ammeter

 Working of Ayrton shunt

 Precautions to be taken care before using the ammeter

 Requirement of shunt resistance which is to connected along with
ammeter.

are listed and explained.

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter

 THANK YOU

Dr. G.R.Venkatakrishnan
venkatakrishnangr@ssn.edu.in

G.R.Venkatakrishnan Online Learning – Unit 5 - DC Ammeter