Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation KG Reddy
Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation KG Reddy
Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation KG Reddy
By
Ch Ramaiah
Assistant Professor,
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
K. G. Reddy College Of Engineering and
Technology
2018-2019
HOD Principal
EEE KGRCET
COURSE FILE
Subject : Electrical Measurements and
Instrumentation
Name : CH RAMAIAH
Designation : Assistant Professor
Regulation /Course Code : R 16 / EE501PC
Year / Semester : III / I
Department : EEE
Academic Year : 2018-19
COURSE FILE CONTENTS
PART-1
S.N. Topics Page No.
4 Course Prerequisites 15
b). Syllabus
8 Teaching Schedule 24
2 Time Table
3 Academic Calendar
MISSION
To transform the students into motivated and knowledgeable new age electrical engineers.
To advance the quality of education to produce world class technocrats with an ability to
adapt to the academically challenging environment.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
PO 1: Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science,
engineering fundamentals and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex
engineering problems.
PO 5: Modern tool usage: create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and
modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modeling to complex
engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations.
PO 6: The engineer and society: apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge
to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent
responsibilities relevant to the professional engineering practice.
PO 12: Lifelong learning: recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to
engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broader context of technological
change.
PSO-2: Apply appropriate techniques and modern engineering hardware and software tools in
power systems and power electronics to engage in life-long learning and to get an employment
in the field of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
PSO-3: Understand the impact of engineering solutions in societal and environmental context,
commit to professional ethics and communicate effectively.
3. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND COURSE OUTCOMES
(a) COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To introduce the meters used to measure current & voltage.
2. To provide elaborate discussion about potentiometers & instrument
transformers.
3. To have an adequate knowledge in the measurement of active power, reactive
power and energy and suitable meters to measure.
4. To provide detailed study of resistance, inductance and capacitance measuring
methods.
5. To provide detailed study of transducers.
(b) COURSE OUTCOMES: At end of this course the student will able to
CO1. Compare the different types of measuring instruments, their construction,
operation and characteristics.
CO2. Measure the voltage and current through potentiometers and instrument
transformers
CO3. Choose the suitable method for measurement of active, reactive powers
and energy.
CO4. Apply the suitable method for measurement of resistance, inductance and
capacitance.
CO5. Apply the knowledge about transducers effectively.
(c)TOPIC OUTCOMES
1. Network theory
5. CO’S, PO’S MAPPING
CO/PO PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12
CO1 3 2
CO2 2 1 1
CO3 3 2 2
CO4 2 2
CO5 2 1
Where
1. Low
2. Medium
3. High
6. COURSE INFORMATION SHEET (CIS)
REGULATION: R16
(b) Syllabus
Measurement of Power & Energy: Single phase dynamometer wattmeter, LPF and UPF,
Double element and three element dynamometer wattmeter, expression for deflecting
III and control torques – Extension of range of wattmeter using instrument transformers –
14
Measurement of active and reactive powers in balanced and unbalanced systems. Single
phase induction type energy meter – driving and braking torques – errors and
compensations – testing by phantom loading using R.S.S. meter. Three phase energy
meter – tri vector meter, maximum demand meters.
DC & AC Bridges: Method of measuring low, medium and high resistance – sensitivity of
Wheat stone’s bridge – Carey Foster’s bridge, Kelvin’s double bridge for measuring low
resistance, measurement of high resistance – loss of charge method. Measurement of
IV 15
inductance,Quality Factor - Maxwell’s bridge, Hay’s bridge, Anderson’s bridge, Owen’s
bridge. Measurement of capacitance and loss angle - Desauty bridge.Wien’s bridge –
Schering Bridge.
LVDT and capacitor transducers; LVDT Applications, Strain gauge and its principle of
2 http://nptel.ac.in
3 https://www.m-tutor.com/login.php
☐ Add-On ☐ Others
Courses
(h) Assessment Methodologies - Indirect
Text Books
L22 Types
L23 Applications of CT and PT
L24 Ratio and phase angle error's
L25 Tutorial class
L26 UNIT-III
Lecture Topic to be covered Planed Date Actual Date
No.
Measurement of power and energy:
Introduction
L27 Single phase dynamometer wattmeter,
LPF and UPF
I-Mid Examination
L28 Double element and three element
dynamometer wattmeter
Expression for deflection and control
L29 torques
L30 Tutorial class
Extension of range of wattmeter using
L31 instrument transformer
Measurement of active and reactive
L32 powers
L33 Tutorial class
Single phase induction type energy meter
L34
L35 Driving and braking torques
Errors and compensations, testing by
L36 phantom loading using R. S. S. meter.
L37 Three phase energy meter
Tri-vector meter, maximum demand
L38 meters
Tutorial class
L39
UNIT-IV: DC & AC Bridges
L40 Introduction
Method of measurement of low, medium
L41 and high resistance
L42 Wheatstone bridge
L43 Carey foster's bridge
L44 Kelvin’s double bridge
L45 Tutorial class
L46 Loss of charge method
Measurement of inductance - Maxwell's
L47 bridge
L48 Hays bridge
Lecture Topic to be covered Planed Date Actual Date
No.
L49 Anderson's bridge
L50 Owen's bridge
Measurement of capacitance – desauty’s
L51 bridge
L52 Wein’s bridge
L53 Schering bridge
L54 Tutorial class
L55-L56 Guest lecture/Industrial visit
UNIT-V
L57 Transducers introduction
L58 Transducer's and its classification
Electrical transducer, characteristics and
L59 choice of transducers
L60 LVDT
L61 Capacitor transducers
L62 Applications of LVDT, strain gauge
L63 Thermistors and thermocouples
L64 Piezo electric transducers, photovoltaic
L65 Photo conductive cells and photo diodes
L66 Tutorial class
L67 Measurement of Non-Electrical
Quantities: Measurement of strain,
L68 Measurement of Displacement, Velocity,
Angular Velocity, Acceleration
L69 Measurement of Force, Torque,
Temperature, Pressure, Vacuum Flow
and Liquid level.
II MID EXAMINATION
8. Teaching Schedule
I PMMC 76 5 9 18 6
MI 82 5 9 18 5
Potentiometers 248 9 15 8 2
DC Briges 188 11 14 6 7
IV
AC Briges 361 11 16 7 6
Transducers 13 25 8 6
V Measurement of Non
13 29 12 6
Electrical Quantities
Contact classes for syllabus coverage 56
Tutorial classes 10
Year-Sem &
III-I & EEE Duration: 60 Min
Branch:
BLOOMS
Q.NO QUESTION CO MAPPING
TAXONOMY
Year-Sem &
III-I & EEE Duration: 60 Min
Branch:
BLOOMS
Q.NO QUESTION CO MAPPING
TAXONOMY
CO 5
4 With neat sketches explain LVDT Operation. Remember
MID-I
1. An ammeter of 0-25 A range has a guaranteed accuracy of 1% of full scale reading. The current
measured is 5 A. The limiting error is
A. 2%
B. 2.5%
C. 4%
D. 5%
2. The coil of a moving iron instrument has a resistance of 500 Ω and an inductance of 1 H. It reads
250 V when a 250 V dc is applied. If series resistance is 2000 Ω, its reading when fed by 250 V, 50
Hz ac will be
A. 260 V
B. 252 V
C. 250 V
248 V
D
3. The coil of a moving iron instrument has a resistance of 500 Ω and an inductance of 1 H. It
reads 250 V when a 250 V dc is applied. If series resistance is 2000 Ω, its reading when fed
by 250 V, 50 Hz ac will be
A. 260 V
B. 252 V
C. 250 V
D. 248 V
4. A moving coil instrument has a resistance of 0.6 Ω and full scale deflection at 0.1 A. To
convert it into an ammeter of 0-15 A range, the resistance of shunt should be
A. 0.6 Ω
B. 0.06 Ω
C. 0.1 Ω
D. 0.004 Ω
5. A moving coil instrument has a resistance of 0.6 Ω and full scale deflection at 0.1 A. To
convert it into an ammeter of 0-15 A range, the resistance of shunt should be
A. 0.6 Ω
B. 0.06 Ω
C. 0.1 Ω
D. 0.004 Ω
d) None
6. The secondary of a current transformer is always kept short-circuited while operating because
it_______________________
7. In CT deep saturation will cause when_________________
8. Current transformers are __________________ connected type of instrument transformers
9. Voltage transformers are designed to have _____________
10. Nominal ratio of an instrument transformer is defined as the __________
KEY:
1 D Measured
2 D Amplifier/modulator/filter/AtoD converter
4 D Lag
7 D if circuit is open-circuited
8 D Series
7. . Strain gauge is a
A. Active device and converts mechanical displacement into a change of resistance
B. Passive device and converts electrical displacement into a change of resistance
C. Passive device and converts mechanical displacement into a change of resistance
D. Active device and converts electrical displacement into a change of resistance
8. The linear variable differential transformer transducer is
A. Inductive transducer
B. Non-inductive transducer
C. Capacitive transducer
D. Resistive transducer
3 B AC,DC
6 B Active
7 C Analog transducers
8 A Pressure on crystal
MID-I
1. PMMC instrument
2. Moving iron instrument
3. Operation of D.C. Crompton’s potentiometer
4. Different errors in Current Transformer
5. Error equation in potential transformer
6. Measure reactive power using single wattmeter
MID-II
Stationary Part or Magnet System: In the present time we use magnets of high field
intensities, high coercive force instead of using U shaped permanent magnet having soft
iron pole pieces. The magnets which we are using nowadays are made up of materials
like alcomax and alnico which provide high field strength.
Moving Coil: The moving coil can freely moves between the two permanent magnets
as shown in the figure given below. The coil is wound with many turns of copper wire
and is placed on rectangular aluminium which is pivoted on jeweled bearings.
Control System: The spring generally acts as control system for PMMC instruments.
The spring also serves another important function by providing the path to lead current in
and out of the coil.
Damping System: The damping force hence torque is provided by movement of
aluminium former in the magnetic field created by the permanent magnets.
Meter: Meter of these instruments consists of light weight pointer to have free
movement and scale which is linear or uniform and varies with angle.
Let us derive a general expression for torque in permanent magnet moving coil instruments or
PMMC instruments. We know that in moving coil instruments the deflecting torque is given
by the expression: Td = NBldI where N is number of turns, B is magnetic flux density in air
gap, l is the length of moving coil, d is the width of the moving coil, And I is the electric
current. Now for a moving coil instruments deflecting torque should be proportional to
current, mathematically we can write Td = GI. Thus on comparing we say G = NBIdl. At
steady state we have both the controlling and deflecting torques are equal. T c is controlling
torque, on equating controlling torque with deflection torque we have GI = K.x where x is
The current I is shown which breaks into two components at the point A. The two
components are Is and Im. Before I comment on the magnitude values of these currents, let us
know more about the construction of shunt resistance. The basic properties of shunt
resistance are written below, The electrical resistance of these shunts should not differ at
higher temperature, it they should posses very low value of temperature coefficient. Also the
resistance should be time independent. Last and the most important property they should
posses is that they should be able to carry high value of current without much rise in
temperature. Usually manganin is used for making DC resistance. Thus we can say that the
value of Is much greater than the value of Im as resistance of shunt is low. From the we have,
Where, Rs is resistance of shunt and Rm is the electrical resistance of
the coil. From the above two equations we can write,
1. Errors due to permanent magnets: Due to temperature effects and aging of the magnets
the magnet may lose their magnetism to some extent. The magnets are generally aged by
the heat and vibration treatment.
2. Error may appear in PMMC Instrument due to the aging of the spring. However the
error caused by the aging of the spring and the errors caused due to permanent magnet are
opposite to each other, hence both the errors are compensated with each other.
3. Change in the resistance of the moving coil with the temperature: Generally the
temperature coefficients of the value of coefficient of copper wire in moving coil is 0.04
per degree celsius rise in temperature. Due to lower value of temperature coefficient the
temperature rises at faster rate and hence the resistance increases. Due to this significant
amount of error is caused.
2. Explain the construction and operation of repulsion type moving iron instrument?
Fig 1.12
3. Derive the expression for torque equation in moving iron instrument?
This is a very basic instrument used for comparing emf two cells and for calibrating ammeter,
voltmeter and watt-meter. The basic working principle of potentiometer is very simple. Suppose we
have connected two batteries in head to head and tale to tale through a galvanometer. That means the
positive terminals of both battery are connected together and negative terminals are also connected
together through a galvanometer as shown in the figure below.
Here in the figure it is clear that if the voltage of both battery cells is exactly equal, there will be no
circulating current in the circuit and hence the galvanometer shows null deflection. The working
principle of potentiometer depends upon this phenomenon. Now let's think about another circuit,
where a battery is connected across a resistor via a switch and a rheostat as shown in the figure below,
there will be a voltage drop across the resistor. As there is a voltage drop across the resistor, this
portion of the circuit can be considered as a voltage source for other external circuits. That means
anything connected across the resistor will get voltage. If the resistor has uniform cross section
throughout its length, the electrical resistance per unit length of the resistor is also uniform throughout
its length. Hence, voltage drop per unit length of the resistor is also uniform. Suppose the current
through the resistor is i A and resistance per unit length of the resistor is r Ω. Then the voltage appears
per unit length across the resistor would be 'ir' ans say it is v volt.
Now, positive terminal of a standard cell is connected to point A on the sliding resistor and negative
terminal of the same is connected with a galvanometer. Other end of the galvanometer is in contact
with the resistor via a sliding contact as shown in the figure above. By adjusting this sliding end, a
point like B is found where, there is no current through the galvanometer, hence no deflection of
galvanometer. That means emf of the standard cell is just balanced by the voltage drop appears across
AB. Now if the distance between point A and B is L, then it can be written emf of standard cell E =
Lv volt. As v (voltage drop per unit length of the sliding resistor) is known and L is measured from
the scale attached to the resistor, the value of E i.e. emf of standard cell can also be calculated from
the above simple equation very easily.
Fig2. DC potentiometer
We said earlier in this section that one of the uses of potentiometer is to compare emfs of different
cells. Let's discuss how a DC potentiometer can compare emfs of two different cells. Let's think of
two cells whose emf's are to be compared are joined as shown in the figure below. The positive
terminals of the cells and source battery are joined together. The negative terminals of the cells are
joined with the galvanometer in turn through a two way switch. The other end of the galvanometer is
connected to a sliding contact on the resistor. Now by adjusting sliding contact on the resistor, it is
found that the null deflection of galvanometer comes for first cell at a length of L on the scale and
after positioning to way switch to second cell and then by adjusting the sliding contact, it is found that
the null deflection of galvanometer comes for that cell at a length of L1 on the scale. Let's think of the
first cell as standard cell and it's emf is E and second cell is unknown cell whose emf is E 1. Now as
per above explanation,
E = Lv volt and
L1 = L1v volt
As the emf of the standard cell is known, hence emf of the unknown cell can easily be determined.
The Potentiometer is an instrument which measures unknown voltage by balancing it with a known
voltage. The known source may be DC or AC. The working phenomenon of DC potentiometer and
AC potentiometer is same. But there is one major difference between their measurements; DC
potentiometer only measures the magnitude of the unknown voltage whereas, AC potentiometer
measures both the magnitude and phase of unknown voltage by comparing it with known reference.
There are two types of AC potentiometers:
Therefore, resultant induced emf in the rotor winding due to two stator winding E = K I sin (ωt - Ø)
Where, Ø gives the phase angle.
There are two step-down transformers T1 and T2 which isolate potentiometer from the line and give an
earthed screens protection between the winding. It also supplies 6 volts to potentiometers. Now to
measure unknown e.m.f. its terminals are connected across sliding contacts AA’ using selector switch
S3. By doing some adjustments in sliding contacts and rheostat, the whole circuit gets balanced and
galvanometer reads zero at the balanced condition. Now the in-phase component VA of the unknown
e.m.f. is obtained from the in-phase potentiometer and quadrature component VB is obtained from
quadrature potentiometer. Thus, the resultant voltage of the coordinate AC potentiometer is V = (VA2+
VB2)1/2 and the phase angle is given by Ø = tan-1(VB / VA.)
Applications of AC Potentiometer:
Measurement of self-inductance
Calibration of voltmeter.
Calibration of Ammeter.
But in an actual CT, errors with which we are connected can best be considered through a study of
phasor diagram for a CT, Is - Secondary current. Es - Secondary induced emf. Ip - Primary
current. Ep - Primary induced emf. KT - Turns ratio = Numbers of secondary turns/number of primary
turns. I0 - Excitation current. Im - Magnetizing component of I0. Iw - Core loss component of I0. Φm -
Main flux.
Let us take flux as reference. EMF Es and Ep lags behind the flux by 90°. The magnitude of the
passers Es and Ep are proportional to secondary and primary turns. The excitation current I o which is
made up of two components Im and Iw.
The secondary current I0 lags behind the secondary induced emf Es by an angle Φ s. The secondary
current is now transferred to the primary side by reversing Is and multiplied by the turns ratio KT. The
total current flows through the primary Ip is then vector sum of KT Is and I0.
From above passer diagram it is clear that primary current I p is not exactly equal to the secondary
current multiplied by turn’s ratio , i.e. KTIs. This difference is due to the primary current is
contributed by the core excitation current. The error in current transformer introduced due to this
For a ideal CT the angle between the primary and reversed secondary current vector is zero. But
for an actual CT there is always a difference in phase between two due to the fact that primary current
has to supply the component of the exiting current. The angle between the above two phases in termed
as phase angle error in current transformer or CT. Here in the pharos diagram it is β the phase
angle error is usually expressed in minutes.
The total primary current is not actually transformed in CT. One part of the primary current is
consumed for core excitation and remaining is actually transformers with turns ratio of CT so there
is error in current transformer means there are both ratio error in current transformer as well as a
phase angle error in current transformer.
It is desirable to reduce these errors, for better performance. For achieving minimum error in current
transformer, one can follow the following,
Using a core of high permeability and low hysteresis loss magnetic materials. Keeping the rated
burden to the nearer value of the actual burden.
Ensuring minimum length of flux path and increasing cross-sectional area of the core, minimizing
joint of the core. Lowering the secondary internal impedance.
Potential transformer or voltage transformer gets used in electrical power system for stepping down
the system voltage to a safe value which can be fed to low ratings meters and relays. Commercially
available relays and meters used for protection and metering, are designed for low voltage. This is a
simplest form of potential transformer definition.
A voltage transformer theory or potential transformer theory is just like a theory of general purpose
step down transformer. Primary of this transformer is connected across the phase and ground. Just like
the transformer used for stepping down purpose, potential transformer i.e. PT has lower turns winding
at its secondary. The system voltage is applied across the terminals of primary winding of that
transformer, and then proportionate secondary voltage appears across the secondary terminals of the
PT.
The secondary voltage of the PT is generally 110 V. In an ideal potential transformer or voltage
transformer, when rated burden gets connected across the secondary; the ratio of primary and
secondary voltages of transformer is equal to the turn’s ratio and furthermore, the two terminal
voltages are in precise phase opposite to each other. But in actual transformer, there must be an error
in the voltage ratio as well as in the phase angle between primary and secondary voltages. The errors
in potential transformer or voltage transformer can be best explained by phasor diagram, and this is
the main part of potential transformer theory.
As in the case of current transformer and other purpose electrical power transformer, total
primary current Ip is the vector sum of excitation current and the current equal to reversal of
secondary current multiplied by the ratio 1/KT. Hence,Ip = I0 + Is/KT. If Vp is the system
voltage applied to the primary of the PT, then voltage drops due to resistance and reactance
of primary winding due to primary current Ip will come into picture. After subtracting this
voltage drop from Vp, Ep will appear across the primary terminals. This Ep is equal to primary
induced emf. This primary emf will transform to the secondary winding by mutual induction
and transformed emf is Es. Again this Es will be dropped by secondary winding resistance
and reactance, and resultant will actually appear across the burden terminals and it is denoted
as Vs.
So, if system voltage is Vp, ideally Vp/KT should be the secondary voltage of PT, but in reality; actual
secondary voltage of PT is Vs.
Voltage Error or Ratio Error in Potential Transformer (PT) or Voltage Transformer (VT)
The difference between the ideal value Vp/KT and actual value Vs is the voltage error or ratio error in a
potential transformer, it can be expressed as,
The angle ′β′ between the primary system voltage Vp and the reversed secondary voltage vectors
KT.Vs is the phase error.
The voltage applied to the primary of the potential transformer first drops due to the internal
impedance of the primary. Then it appears across the primary winding and then transformed
proportionally to its turns ratio, to the secondary winding. This transformed voltage across the
secondary winding will again drop due to the internal impedance of the secondary, before appearing
across burden terminals. This is the reason of errors in potential transformer.
10. Define instrument transformer and write short notes on current transformer?
Instrument transformers means current transformer and voltage transformer are used in electrical
power system for stepping down currents and voltages of the system for metering and protection
purpose. Actually relays and meters used for protection and metering, are not designed for high
currents and voltages. High currents or voltages of electrical power system cannot be directly fed to
relays and meters. CT steps down rated system current to 1 Amp or 5 Amp similarly voltage
transformer steps down system voltages to 110 V. The relays and meters are generally designed for 1
Amp, 5 Amp and 110 V.
A CT is similar to a electrical power transformer to some extent, but there are some difference in
construction and operation principle. For metering and indication purpose, accuracy of ratio, between
primary and secondary currents are essential within normal working range. Normally accuracy of
current transformer required up to 125% of rated current; as because allowable system current must
be below 125% of rated current. Rather it is desirable the CT core to be saturated after this limit since
the unnecessary electrical stresses due to system over current can be prevented from the metering
instrument connected to the secondary of the CT as secondary current does not go above a desired
limit even primary current of the CT rises to a very high value than its ratings. So accuracy within
working range is main criteria of a CT used for metering purpose. The degree of accuracy of a
metering CT is expressed by CT accuracy class or simply current transformer class or CT class.
But in the case of protection, the CT may not have the accuracy level as good as metering CT
although it is desired not to be saturated during high fault current passes through primary. So core of
protection CT is so designed that it would not be saturated for long range of currents. If saturation of
the core comes at lower level of primary current the proper reflection of primary current will not come
to secondary, hence relays connected to the secondary may not function properly and protection
system losses its reliability. Suppose, you have one CT with current ratio 400/1 A and its protection
core is situated at 500 A. If the primary current of the CT becomes 1000 A the secondary current will
still be 1.25 A as because the secondary current will not increase after 1.25 A because of saturation. If
actuating current of the relay connected the secondary circuit of the CT is 1.5 A, it will not be
operated at all even fault level of the power circuit is 1000 A. The degree of accuracy of a protection
CT may not be as fine as metering CT but it is also expressed by CT accuracy class or simply
current transformer class or CT class as in the case of metering current transformer but in little bit
different manner.
A CT functions with the same basic working principle of electrical power transformer, as we
discussed earlier, but here is some difference. If a electrical power transformer or other general
purpose transformer, primary current varies with load or secondary current. In case of CT, primary
current is the system current and this primary current or system current transforms to the CT
secondary, hence secondary current or burden current depends upon primary current of the current
transformer. Are you confused? OK let us clear you. In a power transformer, if load is disconnected,
there will be only magnetizing current flows in the primary. The primary of the power transformer
takes current from the source proportional to the load connected with secondary. But in case of CT,
the primary is connected in series with power line. So current through its primary is nothing but the
current flows through that power line. The primary current of the CT, hence does not depend
upon whether the load or burden is connected to the secondary or not or what is the
impedance value of burden. Generally CT has very few turns in primary where as secondary
turns is large in number. Say Np is number of turns in CT primary and I p is the current
through primary. Hence, the primary AT is equal to NpIp AT. If number of turns in secondary
and secondary current in that current transformer are N s and Is respectively then Secondary
AT is equal to NsIs AT. In an ideal CT the primary AT is exactly is equal in magnitude to
secondary AT. So, from the above statement it is clear that if a CT has one turn in primary
and 400 turns in secondary winding, if it has 400 A current in primary then it will have 1 A in
secondary burden. Thus the turn ratio of the CT is 400/1 A.
11. Derive the expression for the deflection torque in dynamometer wattmeter?
An electrodynamometer wattmeter consists of two fixed coils, F A and FB and a moving coil
M as shown in figure 3.3. The fixed coils are connected in series with the load and hence
carry the load current. These fixed coils form the current coil of the wattmeter. The moving
coil is connected across the load and hence carries a current proportional to the voltage across
the load. A highly non-inductive resistance R is put in series with the moving coil to limit the
current to a small value. The moving coil forms the potential coil of the wattmeter.
The fixed coils are wound with heavy wire of minimum number of turns. The fixed coils embrace the
moving coil. Spring control is used for movement and damping is by air. The deflecting torque is
proportional to the product of the currents in the two coils. Theses watt meters can be used for both
DC and AC measurements. Since the deflection is proportional to the average power and the spring
control torque is proportional to the deflection, the scale is uniform. The meter is free from waveform
errors. However, they are more expensive.
= ( V I / RP ) cos ϕ ( d M
The deflecting torque exerted on the moving system will be very small and
Errors are introduced due to pressure coil inductance (which is large at LPF) Thus, in a LPF
wattmeter, special features are incorporated in a general electro- dynamometer wattmeter circuit to
make it suitable for use in LPF circuits as under:
The pressure coil circuit is designed to have a low value of resistance so that the current through the
pressure coil is increased to provide an increased operating torque.
Thus it is necessary to compensate for the pressure coil current in a low power factor wattmeter. For
this, a compensating coil is used in the instrument to compensate for the power loss in the pressure
coil circuit as shown in figure 3.5.
At low power factor, the error caused by the pressure coil inductance is very large. Hence, this has to
be compensated, by connecting a capacitor C across a portion of the Series resistance in the
pressure coil circuit as shown in figure 3.5.
Low power factor wattcmeters are designed to have a very small control torque so that they can
provide full scale deflection (f.s.d.) for power factor values as low as 10%. Thus, the complete circuit
A single wattmeter can also be used for three phase reactive power measurements. For
example, the connection of a single wattmeter for 3-phase reactive power measurement in a
balanced three phase circuit is as shown in figure 4.6.
The reading of the wattmeter, W3ph for the connection shown in figure 3.6 can be
obtained based on the phasor diagram of figure 34.7, as follows:
Wattmeter reading,
Wph = Iy VRB
= Iy VL cos (90+Ø)
W3ph =(VArs/phase)= 3
or
The three phase power can be measured by using either one wattmeter, two wattmeters or
three wattcmeters in the measuring circuit. Of these, the two wattmeter method is widely used
for the obvious advantages of measurements involved in it as discussed below.
Here only one wattmeter is used for measurement of three phase power. For circuits with the
balanced loads, we have: W3ph=3(wattmeter reading). For circuits with the Unbalanced
loads, we have: W3ph=sum of the three readings obtained separately by connecting
wattmeter in each of the three phases. If the neutral point is not available (3 phase 3 wire
circuits) then an artificial neutral is created for wattmeter connection purposes. Instead three
watt meters can be connected simultaneously to measure the three phase power. However,
this involves more number of meters to be used for measurements and hence is not preferred
in practice.
The circuit diagram for two wattmeter method of measurement of three phase real power is as
shown in the figure 34.7. The current coil of the wattmeter W1 and W2 are inserted
respectively in R and Y phases. The potential coils of the two wattmeter’s are joined together
to phase B, the third phase. Thus, the voltage applied to the voltage coil of the meter, W1 is
VRB= VR-VB, while the voltage applied to the voltage coil of the meter, W2 is VYB=VY-
VB, where, VR, VB and VC are the phase voltage values of lines R, Y and B respectively, as
illustrated by the phasor diagram of figure 3.8. Thus, the reading of the two wattmeter can be
obtained based on the phasor diagram of figure 4.8, as follows:
W1 = IR VRB
= IL VL cos (30 - Ø) (3.9)
W2 = IY VYB
= IL VL cos (30 + Ø) (3.10)
Hence, W1+W2 = √3 VL IL cos Ø = P3ph (3.11)
And W1-W2 = VL IL sin Ø (3.12)
So that then,
Tan Ø = √3 [W1-W2]/ [W1+W2] (3.13)
Where Ø is the lagging PF angle of the load. It is to be noted that the equations (3.11) and
(3.12) get exchanged if the load is considered to be of leading PF.
The readings of the two wattmeters used for real power measurements in three phase circuits as above
vary with the load power factor as described in the table 3.1.
15. Explain the construction details of single phase induction type energy meter?
Construction of induction type energy meter Induction type energy meter essentially consists
of following components Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur (a) Driving system (b) Moving system
(c) Braking system and (d) Registering system. • Driving system: The construction of the
electro magnet system is shown in Fig. 44.1(a) and it consists of two electromagnets, called
“shunt” magnet and “series” magnet, of laminated construction.
A coil having large number of turns of fine wire is wound on the middle limb of the shunt
magnet. This coil is known as “pressure or voltage” coil and is connected across the supply
mains. This voltage coil has many turns and is arranged to be as highly inductive as possible.
In other words, the voltage coil produces a high ratio of inductance to resistance. This causes
the current, and therefore the flux, to lag the supply voltage by nearly 0 90 . An adjustable
copper shading rings are provided on the central limb of the shunt magnet to make the phase
angle displacement between magnetic field set up by shunt magnet and supply voltage is
approximately 0 90 . The copper shading bands are also called the power factor compensator
or compensating loop. The series electromagnet is energized by a coil, known as “current”
coil which is connected in series with the load so that it carry the load current. The flux
produced by this magnet is proportional to, and in phase with the load current.
• Moving system: The moving system essentially consists of a light rotating aluminium disk
mounted on a vertical spindle or shaft. The Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur shaft that supports
the aluminium disk is connected by a gear arrangement to the clock mechanism on the front
of the meter to provide information that consumed energy by the load. The time varying
(sinusoidal) fluxes produced by shunt and series magnet induce eddy currents in the
aluminium disc. The interaction between these two magnetic fields and eddy currents set up a
driving torque in the disc. The number of rotations of the disk is therefore proportional to the
energy consumed by the load in a certain time interval and is commonly measured in
killowatt-hours (Kwh).
• Braking system: Damping of the disk is provided by a small permanent magnet, located
diametrically opposite to the a.c magnets. The disk passes between the magnet gaps. The
movement of rotating disc through the magnetic field crossing the air gap sets up eddy
currents in the disc that reacts with the magnetic field and exerts a braking torque. By
changing the position of the brake magnet or diverting some of the flux there form, the speed
of the rotating disc can be controlled.
The circuit diagram for two wattmeter method of measurement of three phase real power is as shown
in the figure 34.7. The current coil of the wattmeter W1 and W2 are inserted respectively in R and Y
phases. The potential coils of the two wattmeter’s are joined together to phase B, the third phase.
Thus, the voltage applied to the voltage coil of the meter, W1 is VRB= VR-VB, while the voltage
applied to the voltage coil of the meter, W2 is VYB=VY-VB, where, VR, VB and VC are the phase
voltage values of lines R, Y and B respectively, as illustrated by the phasor diagram of figure 3.8.
Thus, the reading of the two wattmeter can be obtained based on the phasor diagram of figure 4.8, as
follows:
W1 = IR VRB
= IL VL cos (30 - Ø) (3.9)
W2 = IY VYB
= IL VL cos (30 + Ø) (3.10)
Hence, W1+W2 = √3 VL IL cos Ø = P3ph (3.11)
And W1-W2 = VL IL sin Ø (3.12)
So that then,
Tan Ø = √3 [W1-W2]/ [W1+W2] (3.13)
Where Ø is the lagging PF angle of the load. It is to be noted that the equations (3.11) and (3.12) get
exchanged if the load is considered to be of leading PF.
The readings of the two wattmeters used for real power measurements in three phase circuits
as above vary with the load power factor as described in the table 3.1.
Wheatstone bridge
The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is nothing more than two simple series-parallel arrangements
of resistances connected between a voltage supply terminal and ground producing zero
voltage difference between the two parallel branches when balanced. A Wheatstone bridge
circuit has two input terminals and two output terminals consisting of four resistors
configured in a diamond-like arrangement as shown. This is typical of how the Wheatstone
bridge is drawn.
As the two resistors are in series, the same current ( i ) flows through both of them. Therefore
the current flowing through these two resistors in series is given as: V/RT.
The voltage at point C, which is also the voltage drop across the lower resistor, R2 is
calculated as:
Then we can see that the source voltage VS is divided among the two series resistors in direct
proportion to their resistances as VR1 = 4V and VR2 = 8V. This is the principle of voltage
division, producing what is commonly called a potential divider circuit or voltage divider
network.
Now if we add another series resistor circuit using the same resistor values in parallel with
the first we would have the following circuit.
As the second series circuit has the same resistive values of the first, the voltage at point D,
which is also the voltage drop across resistor, R4 will be the same at 8 volts, with respect to
zero (battery negative), as the voltage is common and the two resistive networks are the
same.
But something else equally as important is that the voltage difference between point C and
point D will be zero volts as both points are at the same value of 8 volts as: C = D = 8 volts,
then the voltage difference is: 0 volts
When this happens, both sides of the parallel bridge network are said to be balanced because
the voltage at point C is the same value as the voltage at point D with their difference being
zero.
Now let’s consider what would happen if we reversed the position of the two
resistors, R3 and R4 in the second parallel branch with respect to R1 and R2.
With resistors, R3 and R4 reversed, the same current flows through the series combination and
the voltage at point D, which is also the voltage drop across resistor, R4 will be:
Now with VR4 having 4 volts dropped across it, the voltage difference between
points C and D will be 4 volts as: C = 8 volts and D = 4 volts. Then the difference this time
is: 8 – 4 = 4 volts
The result of swapping the two resistors is that both sides or “arms” of the parallel network
are different as they produce different voltage drops. When this happens the parallel network
is said to be unbalanced as the voltage at point C is at a different value to the voltage at
point D.
Then we can see that the resistance ratio of these two parallel arms, ACB and ADB, results in
a voltage difference between 0 volts (balanced) and the maximum supply voltage
(unbalanced), and this is the basic principal of the
Wheatstone Bridge Circuit.
So we can see that a Wheatstone bridge circuit can be used to compare an unknown
resistance RX with others of a known value, for example, R1 and R2, have fixed values,
and R3 could be variable. If we connected a voltmeter, ammeter or classically a galvanometer
between points C and D, and then varied resistor, R3 until the meters read zero, would result
in the two arms being balanced and the value of RX, (substituting R4) known as shown.
By replacing R4 above with a resistance of known or unknown value in the sensing arm of the
Wheatstone bridge corresponding to RX and adjusting the opposing resistor, R3 to “balance”
the bridge network, will result in a zero voltage output. Then we can see that balance occurs
when:
The Wheatstone Bridge equation required to give the value of the unknown resistance, RX at
balance is given as:
Let us now discuss Maxwell's inductor bridge. The figure shows the circuit diagram of
Maxwell's inductor bridge.
In this bridge the arms bc and cd are purely resistive while the phase balance depends on the
arms ab and ad.
Here l1 = unknown inductor of r1.
l2 = variable inductor of resistance R2.
r2 = variable electrical resistance.
As we have discussed in AC bridge according to balance condition, we have at balance
In this Maxwell Bridge, the unknown inductor is measured by the standard variable
capacitor.
Circuit of this bridge is given below,
Here, l1 is unknown inductance, C4 is standard capacitor. Now under balance conditions we
have from ac bridge that Z1.Z4 =
is given by,
1. The frequency does not appear in the final expression of both equations, hence it is
independent of frequency.
2. Maxwell's inductor capacitance bridge is very useful for the wide range of
measurement of inductor at audio frequencies.
2. The bridge is limited to measurement of low quality coils (1 < Q < 10) and it is also
unsuitable for low value of Q (i.e. Q < 1) from this we conclude that a Maxwell bridge is
used suitable only for medium Q coils.
The above all limitations are overcome by the modified bridge which is known as Hey's
bridge which does not use an electrical resistance in parallel with the capacitor.
When an externally applied force moves the core to the left-hand position, more
magnetic flux links the left-hand coil than the right-hand coil. The emf induced in the
left-hand coil, ES], is therefore larger than the induced emf of the right-hand [oil, Es2'
The magnitude of the output voltage is then equal to the difference between the two
secondary voltages and it is in phase with the voltage of the left-hand coil.
2. Optical Gauges: These gauges are similar to mechanical strain gauges except that the
magnification is achieved with multiple reflectors using mirrors or prisms. In one type a
plain mirror is rigidly fixed to a movable knife-edge. When stress is applied, the mirror
rotates through an angle, and the reflected light beam from the mirror subtends an angle
twice that of the incident light. The measurement accuracy is high and independent of
temperature variations.
3. Electrical Strain Gauges : The electrical strain gauges measure the changes that occur
in resistance, capacitance, or inductance due to the strain transferred from the specimen
to the basic gauge element. The most commonly used strain gauge is the bonded
resistance type of strain gauge. The other two, viz., capacitance and inductance type are
used only in special types of applications.
15. TUTORIAL TOPICS
1. PMMC instrument
UNIT-I
Calibration:
Calibration is the process of making an adjustment or marking a scale so that the readings of
an instrument agree with the accepted and the certified standard.
The calibration offers a guarantee to the device or instrument that it is operating with required
accuracy, under the stipulated environmental conditions. It creates the confidence of using the
properly calibrated instrument, in user's mind. The periodic calibration of an instrument is
very much necessary.
The calibration characteristics can be determined by applying known values of quantities to
be measured and recording the corresponding output of the instrument. Such output values
are then compared with the input, to determine the error. Such a record obtained from
calibration is called calibration record. It is generally recorded in the tabular form. If it is
represented in the graphical form, it is called calibration curve. Such a calibration record or
calibration curve is useful to obtain the performance characteristics of an instrument. The
performance of the instrument is not guaranteed by the calibration. It only mdicates whether
the performance of the instrument is meeting the accuracy and range specification or not. If
the device has been repaired, aged, adjusted or modified, then recalibration is carried out.
Conformity:
Consider a resistor having true value as 2385692 0, which is being measured by an
ohmmeter. Now, the meter is consistently measuring the true value of the resistor. But the
reader, can read consistently, a value as 2.4 MD due to nonavailability of proper scale. The
value 2.4 MO is estimated by the reader from the available scale. There are no deviations
from the observed value. The error created due to the limitation of the scale reading is a
precision error.
The example illustrates that the conformity is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for
precision. Similarly, precision is necessary but not the sufficient condition for accuracy.
Dynamic error:
It is the difference between the true value of the variable to be measured, changing with time
and the value indicated by the measurement system, assuming zero static error.
The Fig. 1.13 shows the dead time, i.e. time delay and the dynamic error.
Types of errors:
The static error is defined earlier as the difference between the true value of the variable and
the value indicated by the instrument. The static error may arise due to number of reasons.
The sta tic errors are classified as:
1) Gross errors
2) Systematic errors
3) Random errors
Gross errors:
The gross errors mainly occur due to carelessness or lack of experience of a human being.
These cover human mistakes in readings, recordings and calculating results. These errors also
occur due to incorrect adjustments of instruments. These errors cannot be treated
mathematically. These errors are also called personal errors. Some gross errors are easily
detected while others are very difficult to detect.
Systematic errors:
The systematic errors are mainly resulting due to the shortcomings of the instrument and the
characteristics of the material used in the instrument, such as defective or worn parts, ageing
effects, environmental effects, etc.
A constant uniform deviation of the operation of an instrument is known as a systematic
error.
There are three types of systematic errors as
1) Instrumental errors 2) Environmental errors 3) Observational errors
Random errors:
Some errors still result, though the systematic and instrumental errors are reduced or at least
accounted for. The causes of such errors are unknown and hence, the errors are called
random errors. These errors cannot be determined in the ordinary process of taking the
measurements.
Absolute and relative errors:
When the error is specified in terms of an absolute quantity and not as a percentage, then it is
called an absolute error.
Thus the voltage of 10 ± 0.5 V indicated ± 0.5 V as an absolute error. When the error is
expressed as a percentage or as a fraction of the total quantity to be measured, then it is called
relative error.
Limiting errors:
The manufacturers specify the accuracy of the instruments within a certain percentage of full
scale reading. The components like the resistor, inductor, capacitor are guaranteed to be
within a certain percentage of rated value. This percentage indicates the deviations from the
nominal or specified value of the particular quantity. These deviations from the specified
value are called Limiting Errors. These are also called Guarantee Errors.
Thus the actual value with the limiting error can be expressed mathematically as,
5 Marks question and answers
Stationary Part or Magnet System: In the present time we use magnets of high field
intensities, high coercive force instead of using U shaped permanent magnet having soft
iron pole pieces. The magnets which we are using nowadays are made up of materials
like alcomax and alnico which provide high field strength.
Moving Coil: The moving coil can freely moves between the two permanent magnets
as shown in the figure given below. The coil is wound with many turns of copper wire
and is placed on rectangular aluminium which is pivoted on jeweled bearings.
Control System: The spring generally acts as control system for PMMC instruments.
The spring also serves another important function by providing the path to lead current in
and out of the coil.
Damping System: The damping force hence torque is provided by movement of
aluminium former in the magnetic field created by the permanent magnets.
Meter: Meter of these instruments consists of light weight pointer to have free
movement and scale which is linear or uniform and varies with angle.
Let us derive a general expression for torque in permanent magnet moving coil instruments or
PMMC instruments. We know that in moving coil instruments the deflecting torque is given
by the expression: Td = NBldI where N is number of turns, B is magnetic flux density in air
gap, l is the length of moving coil, d is the width of the moving coil, And I is the electric
current. Now for a moving coil instruments deflecting torque should be proportional to
current, mathematically we can write T d = GI. Thus on comparing we say G = NBIdl. At
steady state we have both the controlling and deflecting torques are equal. Tc is controlling
torque, on equating controlling torque with deflection torque we have GI = K.x where x is
The current I is shown which breaks into two components at the point A. The two
components are Is and Im. Before I comment on the magnitude values of these currents, let us
know more about the construction of shunt resistance. The basic properties of shunt
resistance are written below, The electrical resistance of these shunts should not differ at
higher temperature, it they should posses very low value of temperature coefficient. Also the
resistance should be time independent. Last and the most important property they should
posses is that they should be able to carry high value of current without much rise in
temperature. Usually manganin is used for making DC resistance. Thus we can say that the
value of Is much greater than the value of Im as resistance of shunt is low. From the we have,
Where, Rs is resistance of shunt and Rm is the electrical resistance of
the coil. From the above two equations we can write,
2.Explain the construction and operation of repulsion type moving iron instrument?
Fig 1.12
3. Derive the expression for torque equation in moving iron instrument?
Torque developed by M.I
Let ‘ ’ be the deflection corresponding to a current of ‘i’ amp
Let the current increases by di, the corresponding deflection is ‘ d ’
4. Develop the equation for torque by EMMC instrument?
Multiple choice questions
1. An ammeter of 0-25 A range has a guaranteed accuracy of 1% of full scale reading. The
current measured is 5 A. The limiting error is
A. 2%
B. 2.5%
C. 4%
D. 5%
2. The coil of a moving iron instrument has a resistance of 500 Ω and an inductance of 1 H.
It reads 250 V when a 250 V dc is applied. If series resistance is 2000 Ω, its reading when
fed by 250 V, 50 Hz ac will be
A. 260 V
B. 252 V
C. 250 V
248 V
D
3. The coil of a moving iron instrument has a resistance of 500 Ω and an inductance of
1 H. It reads 250 V when a 250 V dc is applied. If series resistance is 2000 Ω, its
reading when fed by 250 V, 50 Hz ac will be
A. 260 V
B. 252 V
C. 250 V
D. 248 V
4. A moving coil instrument has a resistance of 0.6 Ω and full scale deflection at 0.1 A. To
convert it into an ammeter of 0-15 A range, the resistance of shunt should be
A. 0.6 Ω
B. 0.06 Ω
C. 0.1 Ω
D. 0.004 Ω
5. A moving coil instrument has a resistance of 0.6 Ω and full scale deflection at 0.1 A. To
convert it into an ammeter of 0-15 A range, the resistance of shunt should be
A. 0.6 Ω
B. 0.06 Ω
C. 0.1 Ω
D. 0.004 Ω
6. Figure shows an RC potentiometer to measure ac voltage. It is desired that
V0/Vi should be independent of frequency. The value of C should be
A. 10 μF
B. 11 μF
C. 0.1 μF
D. 0.09 μF
7. A digital voltmeter has a read out range from 0 to 999 counts. If the full scale reading
is 9.999 V, the resolution is
A. 1 V
B. 0.01 V
C. 1 mV
D. 1 μV
8. A digital voltmeter has a read out range from 0 to 999 counts. If the full scale reading is 9.999
V, the resolution is
A. 1 V
B. 0.01 V
C. 1 mV
D. 1 μV
9. A digital voltmeter has a read out range from 0 to 999 counts. If the full scale reading is 9.999
V, the resolution is
A. 1 V
B. 0.01 V
C. 1 mV
D. 1 μV
10. The household energy meter is
A. indicating instrument
B. recording instrument
C. integrating instrument
Key:
3. Define standardization.
It is the process by which adjusting the current flows through the potentiometer coil to make
the voltage across the std cell is equal.
4. State the advantages of instrument transformers.
Used for extension of range
Here in the figure it is clear that if the voltage of both battery cells is exactly equal, there will
be no circulating current in the circuit and hence the galvanometer shows null deflection. The
working principle of potentiometer depends upon this phenomenon. Now let's think about
another circuit, where a battery is connected across a resistor via a switch and a rheostat as
shown in the figure below, there will be a voltage drop across the resistor. As there is a
voltage drop across the resistor, this portion of the circuit can be considered as a voltage
source for other external circuits. That means anything connected across the resistor will get
voltage. If the resistor has uniform cross section throughout its length, the electrical
resistance per unit length of the resistor is also uniform throughout its length. Hence, voltage
drop per unit length of the resistor is also uniform. Suppose the current through the resistor is
i A and resistance per unit length of the resistor is r Ω. Then the voltage appears per unit
length across the resistor would be 'ir' ans say it is v volt.
Now, positive terminal of a standard cell is connected to point A on the sliding
resistor and negative terminal of the same is connected with a galvanometer. Other end of the
galvanometer is in contact with the resistor via a sliding contact as shown in the figure above.
By adjusting this sliding end, a point like B is found where, there is no current through the
galvanometer, hence no deflection of galvanometer. That means emf of the standard cell is
just balanced by the voltage drop appears across AB. Now if the distance between point A
and B is L, then it can be written emf of standard cell E = Lv volt. As v (voltage drop per unit
length of the sliding resistor) is known and L is measured from the scale attached to the
resistor, the value of E i.e. emf of standard cell can also be calculated from the above simple
equation very easily.
Fig2. DC potentiometer
We said earlier in this section that one of the uses of potentiometer is to compare emfs of
different cells. Let's discuss how a DC potentiometer can compare emfs of two different cells.
Let's think of two cells whose emf's are to be compared are joined as shown in the figure
below. The positive terminals of the cells and source battery are joined together. The negative
terminals of the cells are joined with the galvanometer in turn through a two way switch. The
other end of the galvanometer is connected to a sliding contact on the resistor. Now by
adjusting sliding contact on the resistor, it is found that the null deflection of galvanometer
comes for first cell at a length of L on the scale and after positioning to way switch to second
cell and then by adjusting the sliding contact, it is found that the null deflection of
galvanometer comes for that cell at a length of L1 on the scale. Let's think of the first cell as
standard cell and it's emf is E and second cell is unknown cell whose emf is E 1. Now as per
above explanation,
E = Lv volt and
L1 = L1v volt
There are two step-down transformers T1 and T2 which isolate potentiometer from the line
and give an earthed screens protection between the winding. It also supplies 6 volts to
potentiometers. Now to measure unknown e.m.f. its terminals are connected across sliding
contacts AA’ using selector switch S3. By doing some adjustments in sliding contacts and
rheostat, the whole circuit gets balanced and galvanometer reads zero at the balanced
condition. Now the in-phase component VA of the unknown e.m.f. is obtained from the in-
phase potentiometer and quadrature component VB is obtained from quadrature
potentiometer. Thus, the resultant voltage of the coordinate AC potentiometer is V = (VA2+
VB2)1/2 and the phase angle is given by Ø = tan-1(VB / VA.)
Applications of AC Potentiometer:
1. Measurement of self-inductance
2. Calibration of voltmeter.
3. Calibration of Ammeter.
4. Calibration of watt meter.
3. What are the different errors in Current Transformer? Explain the methods to
reduce?
But in an actual CT, errors with which we are connected can best be considered through a
study of phasor diagram for a CT, Is - Secondary current. Es - Secondary induced emf. Ip
- Primary current. Ep - Primary induced emf. KT - Turns ratio = Numbers of secondary
turns/number of primary turns. I0 - Excitation current. Im - Magnetizing component of I0. Iw -
Core loss component of I0. Φm - Main flux.
Let us take flux as reference. EMF E s and Ep lags behind the flux by 90°. The magnitude of
the passers Es and Ep are proportional to secondary and primary turns. The excitation current
Io which is made up of two components Im and Iw.
The secondary current I0 lags behind the secondary induced emf Es by an angle Φ s. The
secondary current is now transferred to the primary side by reversing I s and multiplied by the
turns ratio KT. The total current flows through the primary I p is then vector sum of KT Is and
I0 .
From above passer diagram it is clear that primary current I p is not exactly equal to the
secondary current multiplied by turn’s ratio, i.e. KTIs. This difference is due to the primary
current is contributed by the core excitation current. The error in current transformer
introduced due to this difference is called current error of CT or sometimes ratio error in
current transformer.
Phase Error or Phase Angle Error in Current Transformer
For a ideal CT the angle between the primary and reversed secondary current vector is
zero. But for an actual CT there is always a difference in phase between two due to the fact
that primary current has to supply the component of the exiting current. The angle between
the above two phases in termed as phase angle error in current transformer or CT. Here in the
pharos diagram it is β the phase angle error is usually expressed in minutes.
The total primary current is not actually transformed in CT. One part of the primary current is
consumed for core excitation and remaining is actually transformers with turns ratio of CT
so there is error in current transformer means there are both ratio error in current transformer as
well as a phase angle error in current transformer.
1. Using a core of high permeability and low hysteresis loss magnetic materials.
2. Keeping the rated burden to the nearer value of the actual burden.
3. Ensuring minimum length of flux path and increasing cross-sectional area of the core,
minimizing joint of the core.
4. Lowering the secondary internal impedance.
The system voltage is applied across the terminals of primary winding of that transformer,
and then proportionate secondary voltage appears across the secondary terminals of the PT.
The secondary voltage of the PT is generally 110 V. In an ideal potential transformer or
voltage transformer, when rated burden gets connected across the secondary; the ratio of
primary and secondary voltages of transformer is equal to the turn’s ratio and furthermore,
the two terminal voltages are in precise phase opposite to each other. But in actual
transformer, there must be an error in the voltage ratio as well as in the phase angle between
primary and secondary voltages. The errors in potential transformer or voltage transformer
can be best explained by phasor diagram, and this is the main part of potential transformer
theory. Error in PT or Potential Transformer or VT or Voltage Transformer
The difference between the ideal value V p/KT and actual value Vs is the voltage error or ratio
error in a potential transformer, it can be expressed as,
The angle ′β′ between the primary system voltage Vp and the reversed secondary voltage
vectors KT.Vs is the phase error.
The voltage applied to the primary of the potential transformer first drops due to the internal
impedance of the primary. Then it appears across the primary winding and then transformed
proportionally to its turns ratio, to the secondary winding. This transformed voltage across
the secondary winding will again drop due to the internal impedance of the secondary, before
appearing across burden terminals. This is the reason of errors in potential transformer.
5. Define instrument transformer and write short notes on current transformer?
Instrument transformers means current transformer and voltage transformer are used in electrical
power system for stepping down currents and voltages of the system for metering and
protection purpose. Actually relays and meters used for protection and metering, are not
designed for high currents and voltages. High currents or voltages of electrical power system
cannot be directly fed to relays and meters. CT steps down rated system current to 1 Amp or 5
Amp similarly voltage transformer steps down system voltages to 110 V. The relays and
meters are generally designed for 1 Amp, 5 Amp and 110 V.
A CT is similar to a electrical power transformer to some extent, but there are some difference
in construction and operation principle. For metering and indication purpose, accuracy of
ratio, between primary and secondary currents are essential within normal working range.
Normally accuracy of current transformer required up to 125% of rated current; as because
allowable system current must be below 125% of rated current. Rather it is desirable the CT
core to be saturated after this limit since the unnecessary electrical stresses due to system
over current can be prevented from the metering instrument connected to the secondary of the
CT as secondary current does not go above a desired limit even primary current of the CT
rises to a very high value than its ratings. So accuracy within working range is main criteria
of a CT used for metering purpose. The degree of accuracy of a metering CT is expressed by
CT accuracy class or simply current transformer class or CT class. But in the case of
protection, the CT may not have the accuracy level as good as metering CT although it is
desired not to be saturated during high fault current passes through primary. So core of
protection CT is so designed that it would not be saturated for long range of currents. If
saturation of the core comes at lower level of primary current the proper reflection of primary
current will not come to secondary, hence relays connected to the secondary may not function
properly and protection system losses its reliability. Suppose, you have one CT with current
ratio 400/1 A and its protection core is situated at 500 A. If the primary current of the CT
becomes 1000 A the secondary current will still be 1.25 A as because the secondary current
will not increase after 1.25 A because of saturation. If actuating current of the relay
connected the secondary circuit of the CT is 1.5 A, it will not be operated at all even fault
level of the power circuit is 1000 A. The degree of accuracy of a protection CT may not be as
fine as metering CT but it is also expressed by CT accuracy class or simply current
transformer class or CT class as in the case of metering current transformer but in little bit
different manner.
A CT functions with the same basic working principle of electrical power transformer, as we
discussed earlier, but here is some difference. If a electrical power transformer or other
general purpose transformer, primary current varies with load or secondary current. In case of
CT, primary current is the system current and this primary current or system current
transforms to the CT secondary, hence secondary current or burden current depends upon
primary current of the current transformer. Are you confused? OK let us clear you. In a
power transformer, if load is disconnected, there will be only magnetizing current flows in
the primary. The primary of the power transformer takes current from the source proportional
to the load connected with secondary. But in case of CT, the primary is connected in series
with power line. So current through its primary is nothing but the current flows through that
power line. The primary current of the CT, hence does not depend upon whether the load or
burden is connected to the secondary or not or what is the impedance value of burden.
Generally CT has very few turns in primary where as secondary turns is large in number. Say
Np is number of turns in CT primary and I p is the current through primary. Hence, the
primary AT is equal to NpIp AT. If number of turns in secondary and secondary current in
that current transformer are Ns and Is respectively then Secondary AT is equal to NsIs AT. In
an ideal CT the primary AT is exactly is equal in magnitude to secondary AT. So, from the
above statement it is clear that if a CT has one turn in primary and 400 turns in secondary
winding, if it has 400 A current in primary then it will have 1 A in secondary burden. Thus
the turn ratio of the CT is 400/1 A .
Objective questions
d) None
Fill in the blanks
1. Galvanometer is used for _________________
KEY:
S.No MCQ Fill in Blanks
1 a Indication of null position
2 b Zero ideally
3 c False
4 d Zero
5 a Use of low voltage sources
6 a avoids core saturation and high voltage induction
7 D if circuit is open-circuited
8 d series
9 d high magnetizing reactance
10 b ratio of rated primary value to secondary value
UNIT-III
2 Marks question and answers
1. What are the constructional parts of dynamometer type wattmeter?
Fixed coil
Moving Coil
Helical spring
Graduated scale
3. Name the methods used for power measurement in three phase circuits.
Braking magnet
Registering Mechanism
7. Name the methods used for power measurement in three phase circuits?
Method by which energizing the pressure coil circuit and current coil circuits separately is
called phantom loading.
Al disc
Braking magnet
Registering mechanism
5 Marks question and answers
1. Derive the expression for the deflection torque in dynamometer wattmeter?
An electrodynamometer wattmeter consists of two fixed coils, FA and FB and a moving coil M
as shown in figure 3.3. The fixed coils are connected in series with the load and hence carry the
load current. These fixed coils form the current coil of the wattmeter. The moving coil is
connected across the load and hence carries a current proportional to the voltage across the load.
A highly non-inductive resistance R is put in series with the moving coil to limit the current to a
small value. The moving coil forms the potential coil of the wattmeter.
The fixed coils are wound with heavy wire of minimum number of turns. The fixed coils embrace
the moving coil. Spring control is used for movement and damping is by air. The deflecting
torque is proportional to the product of the currents in the two coils. Theses watt meters can be
used for both DC and AC measurements. Since the deflection is proportional to the average
power and the spring control torque is proportional to the deflection, the scale is uniform. The
meter is free from waveform errors. However, they are more expensive.
T
Average deflecting torque, Td = (1/T) ∫ Ti d wt
0
= (1/T)∫ IP I [ cos ϕ - cos (2wt - ϕ ) ] ( d M / d θ ) d wt
= ( V I / RP ) cos ϕ ( d M
Thus it is necessary to compensate for the pressure coil current in a low power factor
wattmeter. For this, a compensating coil is used in the instrument to compensate for the
power loss in the pressure coil circuit as shown in figure 3.5.
(c) Compensation for pressure coil inductance:
At low power factor, the error caused by the pressure coil inductance is very large.
Hence, this has to be compensated, by connecting a capacitor C across a portion of
the Series resistance in the pressure coil circuit as shown in figure 3.5.
(d) Realizing a small control torque:
Low power factor wattcmeters are designed to have a very small control torque so that
they can provide full scale deflection (f.s.d.) for power factor values as low as 10%.
Thus, the complete circuit of a low power factor wattmeter is as shown in figure 3.5.
Wph = Iy VRB
= Iy VL cos (90+Ø)
= - √3 Vph Iph sin Ø
= - √3 (Reactive power per phase) (3.6)
Thus, the three phase power, W3ph is given by,
W3ph =(VArs/phase)= 3
[Wph /- √3]= - √3 (wattmeter reading) (3.7)
The three phase power can be measured by using either one wattmeter, two wattmeters or
three wattcmeters in the measuring circuit. Of these, the two wattmeter method is widely
used for the obvious advantages of measurements involved in it as discussed below.
Here only one wattmeter is used for measurement of three phase power. For circuits with
the balanced loads, we have: W3ph=3(wattmeter reading). For circuits with the
Unbalanced loads, we have: W3ph=sum of the three readings obtained separately by
connecting wattmeter in each of the three phases. If the neutral point is not available (3
phase 3 wire circuits) then an artificial neutral is created for wattmeter connection
purposes. Instead three watt meters can be connected simultaneously to measure the three
phase power. However, this involves more number of meters to be used for
measurements and hence is not preferred in practice.
The circuit diagram for two wattmeter method of measurement of three phase real power is as
shown in the figure 34.7. The current coil of the wattmeter W1 and W2 are inserted respectively
in R and Y phases. The potential coils of the two wattmeter’s are joined together to phase B, the
third phase. Thus, the voltage applied to the voltage coil of the meter, W 1 is VRB= VR-VB,
while the voltage applied to the voltage coil of the meter, W2 is VYB=VY-VB, where, VR, VB
and VC are the phase voltage values of lines R, Y and B respectively, as illustrated by the phasor
diagram of figure 3.8. Thus, the reading of the two wattmeter can be obtained based on the phasor
diagram of figure 4.8, as follows:
W1 = IR VRB
= IL VL cos (30 - Ø) (3.9)
W2 = IY VYB
= IL VL cos (30 + Ø) (3.10)
Hence, W1+W2 = √3 VL IL cos Ø = P3ph (3.11)
And W1-W2 = VL IL sin Ø (3.12)
So that then,
Tan Ø = √3 [W1-W2]/ [W1+W2] (3.13)
Where Ø is the lagging PF angle of the load. It is to be noted that the equations (3.11) and (3.12)
get exchanged if the load is considered to be of leading PF.
PF PF W1 W2 W 3ph =W 1+ Remarks
φ (lag)
angle cos φ VLILcos(30- VLILcos(30+ W√3V
2 LILcosGen. Case (always
00 UPF √3/2
φ) VLIL √3/2
φ) VLIL φ
2W1 or
W1=W≥W2)
300 0.86 VLIL VLIL/2 1.5W
2W21 or
W2=W1/2
600 0.5
6 √3/2 VLIL ZERO W
3W21 aloneW2 reads zero
For taking readings, the
>600 PC or
<0.5 W1 W2 reads W1+(-W2) CC connection of W2
negative be reversed) (LPF case)
should
Construction of induction type energy meter Induction type energy meter essentially
consists of following components Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur (a) Driving system (b)
Moving system (c) Braking system and (d) Registering system. • Driving system: The
construction of the electro magnet system is shown in Fig. 44.1(a) and it consists of two
electromagnets, called “shunt” magnet and “series” magnet, of laminated construction.
A coil having large number of turns of fine wire is wound on the middle limb of the shunt
magnet. This coil is known as “pressure or voltage” coil and is connected across the supply
mains. This voltage coil has many turns and is arranged to be as highly inductive as
possible. In other words, the voltage coil produces a high ratio of inductance to resistance.
This causes the current, and therefore the flux, to lag the supply voltage by nearly 0 90 . An
adjustable copper shading rings are provided on the central limb of the shunt magnet to
make the phase angle displacement between magnetic field set up by shunt magnet and
supply voltage is approximately 0 90 . The copper shading bands are also called the power
factor compensator or compensating loop. The series electromagnet is energized by a coil,
known as “current” coil which is connected in series with the load so that it carry the load
current. The flux produced by this magnet is proportional to, and in phase with the load
current.
• Moving system: The moving system essentially consists of a light rotating aluminium
disk mounted on a vertical spindle or shaft. The Version 2 EE IIT, Kharagpur shaft that
supports the aluminium disk is connected by a gear arrangement to the clock mechanism on
the front of the meter to provide information that consumed energy by the load. The time
varying (sinusoidal) fluxes produced by shunt and series magnet induce eddy currents in the
aluminium disc. The interaction between these two magnetic fields and eddy currents set up
a driving torque in the disc. The number of rotations of the disk is therefore proportional to
the energy consumed by the load in a certain time interval and is commonly measured in
killowatt-hours (Kwh).
• Braking system: Damping of the disk is provided by a small permanent magnet, located
diametrically opposite to the a.c magnets. The disk passes between the magnet gaps. The
movement of rotating disc through the magnetic field crossing the air gap sets up eddy
currents in the disc that reacts with the magnetic field and exerts a braking torque. By
changing the position of the brake magnet or diverting some of the flux there form, the
speed of the rotating disc can be controlled.
• Registering or Counting system: The registering or counting system essentially consists of
gear train, driven either by worm or pinion gear on the disc shaft, which turns pointers that
indicate on dials the number of times the disc has turned. The energy meter thus determines
and adds together or integrates all the instantaneous power values so that total energy used
over a period is thus known. Therefore, this type of meter is also called an “integrating” meter.
Objective questions
1. In A.C. circuits, power is measured using
a) voltmeter
b) ammeter
c) ohmmeter
d) wattmeter
10. A sinusoidal voltage v = 50sinωt is applied to a series RL circuit. The current in the
circuit is given by I = 25sin (ωt-53⁰). Determine the apparent power (VA).
a) 620
b) 625
c) 630
d) 635
10. The power factor is the ratio of ________ power to the ______ power.
KEY:
S.No MCQ Fill in Blanks
1 d it depends on the p.f. of the circuit in addition to voltage and
current
2 a ammeter and voltmeter
3 d potential and current coils
4 a 2
5 b due to abnormal currents and voltages
6 a due to asymmetry in magnetic circuit
7 a can fluctuate
8 a drilling two diametrically opposite holes
9 a attaching small iron pieces
10 c average, apparent
UNIT-IV
2 Marks Question and answers
1. Discuss Advantages and Disadvantages of Maxwell's Bridge
1. The frequency does not appear in the final expression of both equations, hence it is
independent of frequency.
2. Maxwell's inductor capacitance bridge is very useful for the wide range of
measurement of inductor at audio frequencies.
Data Acquisition:
Data acquisition (DAQ) is the process of measuring an electrical or physical phenomenon
such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, or sound with a computer. A DAQ system
consists of sensors, DAQ measurement hardware, and a computer with programmable
software. Compared to traditional measurement systems, PC-based DAQ systems exploit the
processing power, productivity, display, and connectivity capabilities of industry-standard
computers providing a more powerful, flexible, and cost-effective measurement solution.
5. Discuss the method of measurement of humidity.
Description
A variety of humidity tester circuits are available, but this is a circuit which is as simple as
possible. Using only a transistor, LED and few resistors, this circuit can be used to check the
humidity level of materials like soil, paper etc. When the humidity in a substance increases
the current conducted through it also increases. This is the working principle. If there is
required humidity, the current through R3 will be sufficient to produce a voltage drop across
R3 which is sufficient enough (0.7V) to switch on the transistor and LED glows. R1 is the
current limiting resistor for LED. R1 protects the transistor from accidental shorting of the
probes.
Another method in ultrasonic flow metering is the use of the Doppler shift that results from
the reflection of an ultrasonic beam off sonically reflective materials, such as solid particles
or entrained air bubbles in a flowing fluid, or the turbulence of the fluid itself, if the liquid is
clean.
Doppler flow meters are used for slurries, liquids with bubbles, gases with sound-reflecting
particles.
This type of flow meter can also be used to measure the rate of blood flow, by passing an
ultrasonic beam through the tissues, bouncing it off a reflective plate, then reversing the
direction of the beam and repeating the measurement, the volume of blood flow can be
estimated. The frequency of the transmitted beam is affected by the movement of blood in the
vessel and by comparing the frequency of the upstream beam versus downstream the flow of
blood through the vessel can be measured. The difference between the two frequencies is a
measure of true volume flow. A wide-beam sensor can also be used to measure flow
independent of the cross-sectional area of the blood vessel.
Wheatstone bridge
The Wheatstone Bridge was originally developed by Charles Wheatstone to measure
unknown resistance values and as a means of calibrating measuring instruments, voltmeters,
ammeters, etc, by the use of a long resistive slide wire.
The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is nothing more than two simple series-parallel arrangements
of resistances connected between a voltage supply terminal and ground producing zero
voltage difference between the two parallel branches when balanced. A Wheatstone bridge
circuit has two input terminals and two output terminals consisting of four resistors
configured in a diamond-like arrangement as shown. This is typical of how the Wheatstone
bridge is drawn.
As the two resistors are in series, the same current ( i ) flows through both of them. Therefore
the current flowing through these two resistors in series is given as: V/RT.
The voltage at point C, which is also the voltage drop across the lower resistor, R2 is
calculated as:
VR2 = I × R2 = 0.4A × 20Ω = 8 volts
Then we can see that the source voltage VS is divided among the two series resistors in direct
proportion to their resistances as VR1 = 4V and VR2 = 8V. This is the principle of voltage
division, producing what is commonly called a potential divider circuit or voltage divider
network.
Now if we add another series resistor circuit using the same resistor values in parallel with
the first we would have the following circuit.
As the second series circuit has the same resistive values of the first, the voltage at point D,
which is also the voltage drop across resistor, R4 will be the same at 8 volts, with respect to
zero (battery negative), as the voltage is common and the two resistive networks are the
same.
But something else equally as important is that the voltage difference between point C and
point D will be zero volts as both points are at the same value of 8 volts as: C = D = 8 volts,
then the voltage difference is: 0 volts
When this happens, both sides of the parallel bridge network are said to be balanced because
the voltage at point C is the same value as the voltage at point D with their difference being
zero.
Now let’s consider what would happen if we reversed the position of the two
resistors, R3 and R4 in the second parallel branch with respect to R1 and R2.
With resistors, R3 and R4 reversed, the same current flows through the series combination and
the voltage at point D, which is also the voltage drop across resistor, R4 will be:
VR4 = 0.4A × 10Ω = 4 volts
Now with VR4 having 4 volts dropped across it, the voltage difference between
points C and D will be 4 volts as: C = 8 volts and D = 4 volts. Then the difference this time
is: 8 – 4 = 4 volts
The result of swapping the two resistors is that both sides or “arms” of the parallel network
are different as they produce different voltage drops. When this happens the parallel network
is said to be unbalanced as the voltage at point C is at a different value to the voltage at
point D.
Then we can see that the resistance ratio of these two parallel arms, ACB and ADB, results in
a voltage difference between 0 volts (balanced) and the maximum supply voltage
(unbalanced), and this is the basic principal of the
Wheatstone Bridge Circuit.
So we can see that a Wheatstone bridge circuit can be used to compare an unknown
resistance RX with others of a known value, for example, R1 and R2, have fixed values,
and R3 could be variable. If we connected a voltmeter, ammeter or classically a galvanometer
between points C and D, and then varied resistor, R3 until the meters read zero, would result
in the two arms being balanced and the value of RX, (substituting R4) known as shown.
By replacing R4 above with a resistance of known or unknown value in the sensing arm of the
Wheatstone bridge corresponding to RX and adjusting the opposing resistor, R3 to “balance”
the bridge network, will result in a zero voltage output. Then we can see that balance occurs
when:
The Wheatstone Bridge equation required to give the value of the unknown resistance, RX at
balance is given as:
As we have discussed that Kelvin Bridge is a modified Wheatstone bridge and provides high
accuracy especially in the measurement of low resistance. Now the question that must be
arise in our mind that where do we need the modification. The answer to this question is very
simple, it is the portion of leads and contacts where we must do modification because of these
there is an increment in net resistance.
Let us consider the modified Wheatstone bridge or Kelvin bridge circuit given
below:
Here, t is the resistance of the lead.C is the unknown resistance.D is the standard resistance
(whose value is known).
Let us mark the two points j and k. If the galvanometer is connected to j point the resistance t
is added to D which results in too low value of C. Now we connect galvanometer to k point it
would result in high value of unknown resistance C.Let us connect the galvanometer to point
d which is lying in between j and k such that d divides t into ratio t1 and t2, now from the
above figure it can be seen that Then also the presence of t1 causes no error, we
can write,
Thus we can conclude that there is no effect of t (i.e. resistance of leads). Practically it is
impossible to have such situation however the above simple modification suggests that the
galvanometer can be connected between these points j and k so as to obtain the null point.
Kelvin Double Bridge
Why it is called double bridge?? it is because it incorporates the second set of ratio arms as
shown below:
In this the ratio arms p and q are used to connect the galvanometer at the correct point
between j and k to remove the effect of connecting lead of electrical resistance t. Under
balance condition voltage drop between a and b (i.e. E) is equal to F (voltage drop between a
and c) For
zero galvanometer deflection, E = F
Let us now discuss Maxwell's inductor bridge. The figure shows the circuit diagram of
Maxwell's inductor
bridge. In
this bridge the arms bc and cd are purely resistive while the phase balance depends on the
arms ab and ad.
Here l1 = unknown inductor of r1.
l2 = variable inductor of resistance R2.
r2 = variable electrical resistance.
As we have discussed in AC bridge according to balance condition, we have at balance
point We can vary R3 and R4 from 10 ohms to
10,000 ohms with the help of resistance box.
In this Maxwell Bridge, the unknown inductor is measured by the standard variable
capacitor.
Circuit of this bridge is given
below,
is given by,
3. The frequency does not appear in the final expression of both equations, hence it is
independent of frequency.
4. Maxwell's inductor capacitance bridge is very useful for the wide range of
measurement of inductor at audio frequencies.
4. The bridge is limited to measurement of low quality coils (1 < Q < 10) and it is also
unsuitable for low value of Q (i.e. Q < 1) from this we conclude that a Maxwell bridge is
used suitable only for medium Q coils.
The above all limitations are overcome by the modified bridge which is known as Hey's
bridge which does not use an electrical resistance in parallel with the capacitor.
Data acquisition is the process of sampling signals that measure real world physical
conditions and converting the resulting samples into digital numeric values that can be
manipulated by a computer. Data acquisition systems, abbreviated by the
acronyms DAS or DAQ, typically convert analog waveforms into digital values for
processing. The components of data acquisition systems include:
Sensors, to convert physical parameters to electrical signals.
Signal conditioning circuitry, to convert sensor signals into a form that can be
converted to digital values.
Analog-to-digital converters, to convert conditioned sensor signals to digital values.
Depletion
When a small voltage is applied to the metal, the valence band edge is driven far from
the Fermi level, and holes from the body are driven away from the gate, resulting in a low
carrier density, so the capacitance is low (the valley in the middle of the figure to the right).
Inversion
At larger gate bias still, near the semiconductor surface the conduction band edge is brought
close to the Fermi level, populating the surface with electrons in an inversion layer or n-
channel at the interface between the semiconductor and the oxide. This results in a
capacitance increase, as shown in the right part of right figure.
Accumulation
B. Wheatstone bridge
C. Meggar
C=KA/d
Where K= dielectric constant.
A= total area of capacitor surfaces.
d = distance between two capacitive surfaces.
8. Discuss about how transducers can be classified
According to Transduction Principle
The transducers can be classified according to principle used in transduction.
• Capacitive transduction
• Electromagnetic transduction
• Inductive transduction
• Piezoelectric transduction
• Photovoltaic transduction
• Photoconductive transduction
9. Classify passive transducers
The common range of an electrical signal used to represent analog signal in the
industrial environment is 0 to 5 V or 4 to 20 mA. In industrial applications, nowadays, 4
to 20 mA range is most commonly used to represent analog signal. A current of 4 Ma
represents a zero output and current of 20 mA represents a full scale value i.e. 5 V in
case of voltage representation. The zero current condition represents open circuit in the
signal transmission line. Hence the standard range is offset from zero.
Many a times, the transducer is a part of a circuit and works with other elements
of that circuit to produce the required output. Such a circuit is called signal conditioning
circuit.
Passive transducer:
In electrical circuits, there are combinations of three passive elements : resistor,
inductor and capacitor. These three passive elements are described with the help of the
primary parameters such as resistance, self or mutual inductance and capacitance
respectively. Any change in these parameters can be observed only if they are externally
powered. We have studied that the passive transducers do not generate any electrical
signal by themselves and they require some external power to generate an electrical
signal.
The transducers based on variation of parameters such as resistance, self or mutual
inductance capacitance, due to an external power are known as passive transducers.
Hence resistive transducer, inductive transducer and capacitive transducer are the basic
passive transducers.
Resistive transducer:
In general, the resistance of a metal conductor is given
by,
The electrical resistive transducers are designed on the basis of the methods of
"arintioll of anyone of the quantities in above equation; such as change in length, change
in iueil of cross-section and change in resistivity.
The sensing element which is resistive in nature, may be in different forms depending
upon the mechanical arrangement. The change in pressure can be sensed by Lasing
~missive resistive elements. The resistance pressure transducers may use Bellow,
Diaphragm or Bourdon tube.
Resistance Position Transducer:
In many industrial measurements and control applications, it is necessary to sense
position of the object or the distance that object travels. For such applications, simple
resistance position transducer is very useful.
It works on the principle that resistance of the sensing element changes due to the
wiations in physical quantity being measured.
A simple resistance position transducer is as shown in the Fig.
Strain gauges:
The strain gauge is a passive resistive transducer which is based on the principle
of conversion of mechanical displacement in to the resistance change.
The most common materials used for wire strain gauges are constantan alloys
containing 45% Nickel and 55% Copper, as they exhibit high specific resistance,
constant gauge factor over a wide strain range, and good stability over a reasonably large
temperature range (from O°C to 300°C). For dynamic strain measurements, Nichrome
alloys, containing 80% Nickel and 20% Chromium are used. They can be compensated
for temperature with platinum.
Bonding cements are adhesives used to fix the strain gauge onto the test
specimen. This cement serves the important function of transmitting the strain from the
specimen to the gauge- sensing element. Improper bonding of the gauge can cause many
errors. Basically, the cement can be classified under two categories, viz, solvent-setting
cement and chemically-reacting cement. Duco cement is an example of solvent-setting
cements which is cured by solvent evaporation. Epoxies and phenol Bakelite cement are
chemically-reacting cements which are cured by polymerization. Acrylic cements are
contact cements that get cured almost instantaneously. The proper functioning of a
strain gauge is wholly dependent on the quality of bonding which holds the gauge to the
surface of the structure undergoing the test.
Derivation: Consider that the resistance wire is under tensile stress and it is deformed by
~I as shown in the Fig.
When uniform stress (J is applied to th.is wire along the length, the resistance R
Optical Gauges: These gauges are similar to mechanical strain gauges except that the
magnification is achieved with multiple reflectors using mirrors or prisms. In one type a
plain mirror is rigidly fixed to a movable knife-edge. When stress is applied, the mirror
rotates through an angle, and the reflected light beam from the mirror subtends an angle
twice that of the incident light. The measurement accuracy is high and independent of
temperature variations.
Electrical Strain Gauges : The electrical strain gauges measure the changes that occur in
resistance, capacitance, or inductance due to the strain transferred from the specimen to the
basic gauge element. The most commonly used strain gauge is the bonded resistance type
of strain gauge. The other two, viz., capacitance and inductance type are used only in
special types of applications.
Thermistors:
Basically thermistor is a contraction of a word 'thermal resistors’; the resistors
depending on temperature are thermal resistors. Thus resistance thermometers are also
thermistors having positive -temperature coefficients. But generally the resistors having
negative temperature coefficients (NTC) are called thermistors. The resistance of a
thermistor decreases as temperature increases. The NTC of thermistors can be as large as
few percent per degree celcius change in temperature. Thus the thermistors are very sensitive
and can detect very small changes in temperature too.
Construction of thermistor:
Piezoelectric transducer:
A piezoelectric quartz crystal is hexagonal prism shaped crystal, which has pyramids It
both ends. This is shown in the Fig. (a). The marking of co-ordinate axes are fixed for such
crystals. The axis passing through the end points of pyramids is called optic axis or z axis.
The axis passing through corners is called electrical axis or x axis while the axis passing
through midpoints of opposite sides is called mechanical axis or y axis. The axes are shown
in the figure.
Photovoltaic cell:
Fig shows structure of photovoltaic cell. It shows that cell is actually a PN-junction diode
with appropriately doped semiconductors. When photons strike on the thin p-doped upper
layer, they are absorbed by the electrons in the n-layer; which causes formation of
conduction electrons and holes. These conduction electrons and holes are separated by
depletion region potential of the pn junction. When il load is connected across the cell, the
depletion region potential causes the photocurrent to flow through the load N.
Phototransistor:
The photo transistor has a light sensitive collector to base junction. A lens is used in a
transistor package to expose base to an incident light. When no light is incident, a small
leakage current flows from collector to emitter called IeEO, due to small thermal
generation. This is very small current, of the order of nA. This is called a dark current.
When the base is exposed to the light, the base current is produced which is proportional
to the light intensity. Such photoinduced base current is denoted as I)...The resulting
collector current is given by,
The structure of a phototransistor is shown in the Fig. 9.15 (a) while the symbol is shown in
the Fig.To generate more base current proportional to the light, larger physical area of the
base is exposed to the light.
The fig .shows the graph of base current against· the radiation flux density
measured in mW/ cm2. The Fig. (b) shows the collector characteristics of a
phototransistor. As light intensity increases, the base current increases exponentially.
Similarly the collector current also increases corresponding to the increase in the light
intensity.
A phototransistor can be either a two lead or a three lead device. In a three lead device, the
base lead is brought out so that it can be used as a conventional BJT with or without the
light sensitivity feature.
In a two lead device, the base is not electrically available and the device use is
totally light dependent. The use of phototransistor as a two lead device is shown in the
Fig. (a) while the Fig. (b) Shows the typical collector characteristic curves.
152
Objective questions
153
C. RTD
D. Ultrasonic
Q9. For the measurement of pressure the instruments used can be
A. Mechanical
B. Electro-mechanical
C. Electronic
D. All of these
Q10. With the increase in the intensity of light, the resistance of a photovoltaic cell
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Remains same
D. None of these
Fill in the blanks
1. Self generating type transducers are ___________ transducers.
2. The transducers that convert the input signal into the output signal, which is a discrete
function of time is known as ___________ transducer.
3. __________transducer that converts measurand into the form of pulse is called
4. ______________is a digital transducer?
5. Strain gauge, LVDT and thermocouple are examples of _____________
6. An inverse transducer is a device which converts_________ in to _________
7. ___________ causes the piezoelectric effect?
8. Hall effect sensor sense___________
9. Transducers are broadly classified in to ___________types.
10. Magnetostrictive effect is _______________
Key:
154
17. Beyond syllabus Topics with material
Characteristics of instruments
Static characteristics:
As mentioned earlier, the static characteristics are defined for the instruments which measure
the quantities which do not vary with time. The various static characteristics are accuracy,
precision, resolution, error, sensitivity, threshold, reproducibility, zero drift, stability and
linearity.
Accuracy:
It is the degree of closeness with which the instrument reading approaches the true value of
the quantity to be measured. It denotes the extent to which we approach the actual value of
the quantity. It indicates the ability of instrument to indicate the true value of the quantity.
The accuracy can be expressed in the following ways.
1) Accuracy as 'Percentage of Full Scale Reading' : In case of instruments having uniform
scale, the accuracy can be expressed as percentage of full scale reading.
For example, the accuracy of an instrument having full scale reading of 50 units may be
expressed as ± 0.1% of full scale reading. From this accuracy indication, practically accuracy
is expressed in terms of limits of error. So for the accuracy limits specified above, there will
be ± 0.05 units error in any measurement. So for a reading of 50 units, there will be error of ±
0.05 units i.e. ± 0.1 % while for a reading of 25 units, there will be error of ± 0.05 units in the
reading i.e. ± 0.2%. Thus as reading decreases, error in measurement is ± 0.05 units but net
percentage error is more. Hence, specification of accuracy in this manner is highly
misleading.
2) Accuracy as 'Percentage of True Value' : This is the best method of specifying the
accuracy. It is to be specified in terms of the true value of quantity being measured. For
example, it can be specified as ± 0.1% of true value. This indicates that in such cases, as
readings get smaller, error also gets reduced. Hence accuracy of the instrument is better than
the instrument for which it is specified as percent of full scale reading.
3) Accuracy as 'Percentage of Scale Span' : For an instrument, if am,,, is the maximum point
for which scale is calibrated, i.e. full scale reading and a 111111 IS the lowest reading on
scale. Then (am<1X - amin) is called scale span or span of the instrlJment. Accuracy of the
instrument can be specified a5 percent of such scale span. Thus for an instrument having
range from 25 units to 225 units, it can be specified as ± 0.2 % of the span i.e. ± [(0.2/100) x
(225 - 25)] which is ± 04 units error in any measurement. 4) Point Accuracy: Such an
accuracy is specified at only one particular point of scale. It does not give any information
about the accuracy at any other POll1t on the scale. The general accuracy of an instrument
cannot be specified, in this manner. But the general accuracy can be specified by providing a
table of the pOint accuracy values calculated at various points throughout the entire range of
the instrument.
Precision:
It is the measure of consistency or repeatability of measurements.
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Let us see the basic difference between accuracy and precision. Consider an instrument on
which, readings up to 1/1000th of unit can be measured. But the instrument has large zero
adjustment error. Now every time reading is taken, it can be taken down up to '1000th of unit.
So as the readings agree with each other, we say that the instrument is highly precise. But,
though the readings are precise up to 10100th of unit, the readings are inaccurate due to large
zero adjustment error. Every reading will be inaccurate, due to such error. Thus a precise
instrument may not be accurate. Thus the precision means sharply or clearly defined and the
readings agree among themselves. But there is no guarantee that readings are accurate. An
instrument having zero error, if calibrated properly, can give accurate readings but in that
case still, the readings can be obtained down up to l00th of unit only. Thus accuracy can be
improved by calibration but not the precision of the instrument.
The precision is composed of two characteristics:
• Conformity and
• Number of significant figures.
Conformity:
Consider a resistor having true value as 2385692 0, which is being measured by an
ohmmeter. Now, the meter is consistently measuring the true value of the resistor. But the
reader, can read consistently, a value as 2.4 MD due to nonavailability of proper scale. The
value 2.4 MO is estimated by the reader from the available scale. There are no deviations
from the observed value. The error created due to the limitation of the scale reading is a
precision error.
The example illustrates that the conformity is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for
precision. Similarly, precision is necessary but not the sufficient condition for accuracy.
Errors
The most important static characteristics of an instrument is its accuracy, which is generally
expressed in terms of the error called static error.
Mathematically it can be expressed as,
e = At - Am J
In this expression, the error denoted as e is also called absolute error. The absolute error does
not indicate precisely the accuracy of the measurements. For example, absolute error of ± 1 V
is negligible when the voltage to be measured is of the order of 1000 V but the same error of
±1 V becomes significant when the voltage under measurement is 5 V or so. Hence, generally
instead of specifying absolute error, the relative or percentage error is specified.
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Dynamic error:
It is the difference between the true value of the variable to be measured, changing with time
and the value indicated by the measurement system, assuming zero static error.
The Fig. 1.13 shows the dead time, i.e. time delay and the dynamic error.
Types of errors:
The static error is defined earlier as the difference between the true value of the variable and
the value indicated by the instrument. The static error may arise due to number of reasons.
The sta tic errors are classified as:
1) Gross errors
2) Systematic errors
3) Random errors
Gross errors:
The gross errors mainly occur due to carelessness or lack of experience of a human being.
These cover human mistakes in readings, recordings and calculating results. These errors also
occur due to incorrect adjustments of instruments. These errors cannot be treated
mathematically. These errors are also called personal errors. Some gross errors are easily
detected while others are very difficult to detect.
Systematic errors:
The systematic errors are mainly resulting due to the shortcomings of the instrument and the
characteristics of the material used in the instrument, such as defective or worn parts, ageing
effects, environmental effects, etc.
A constant uniform deviation of the operation of an instrument is known as a systematic
error.
There are three types of systematic errors as
1) Instrumental errors 2) Environmental errors 3) Observational errors
Random errors:
Some errors still result, though the systematic and instrumental errors are reduced or at least
accounted for. The causes of such errors are unknown and hence, the errors are called
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random errors. These errors cannot be determined in the ordinary process of taking the
measurements.
Absolute and relative errors:
When the error is specified in terms of an absolute quantity and not as a percentage, then it is
called an absolute error.
Thus the voltage of 10 ± 0.5 V indicated ± 0.5 V as an absolute error. When the error is
expressed as a percentage or as a fraction of the total quantity to be measured, then it is called
relative error.
Limiting errors:
The manufacturers specify the accuracy of the instruments within a certain percentage of full
scale reading. The components like the resistor, inductor, capacitor are guaranteed to be
within a certain percentage of rated value. This percentage indicates the deviations from the
nominal or specified value of the particular quantity. These deviations from the specified
value are called Limiting Errors. These are also called Guarantee Errors.
Thus the actual value with the limiting error can be expressed mathematically as,
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