SRIT, PRODDATUR BEEE

Measuring Instruments
Permanent Magnet Moving Coil (PMMC) Instrument
The PMMC (Permanent Magnet Moving Coil) instrument is a widely used instrument in the field of
electrical engineering for measuring current and voltage in direct current (DC) circuits. Its popularity is due to its
accuracy, reliability, and ease of use.

Construction
A permanent magnet is used in this type instrument. Aluminum former is provided in the cylindrical in
between two poles of the permanent magnet. Coils are wound on the aluminum former which is connected with
the spindle. This spindle is supported with jeweled bearing. Two springs are attached on either end of the spindle.
The terminals of the moving coils are connected to the spring. Therefore the current flows through spring 1,
moving coil and spring 2.
Damping: Eddy current damping is used. This is produced by aluminum former.
Control: Spring control is used.
Principle of Operation
When D.C. supply is given to the moving coil, D.C. current flows through it. When the current carrying
coil is kept in the magnetic field, it experiences a force. This force produces a torque and the former rotates. The
pointer is attached with the spindle. When the former rotates, the pointer moves over the calibrated scale. When
the polarity is reversed a torque is produced in the opposite direction. The mechanical stopper does not allow the
deflection in the opposite direction. Therefore the polarity should be maintained with PMMC instrument.
If A.C. is supplied, a reversing torque is produced. This cannot produce a continuous deflection. Therefore
this instrument cannot be used in A.C.
Torque developed by PMMC
Let Td = deflecting torque
TC = controlling torque
 = angle of deflection
K = spring constant
b = width of the coil
L = height of the coil or length of coil
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N = No. of turns
I = current
B = Flux density
A = area of the coil
The force produced in the coil is given by F  BIL sin
If   90 When
For N turns, F  NBIL
Torque produced Td  F r distance
Td  NBILb
Area A = Lb
Td  BINA
Td  I
Advantages:
1. Torque/weight is high
2. Power consumption is less
3. Scale is uniform
4. Damping is very effective
5. Since operating field is very strong, the effect of stray field is negligible
6. Range of instrument can be extended
Disadvantages:
1. Use only for D.C
2. Cost is high
3. Error is produced due to ageing effect of PMMC
4. Friction and temperature error are present.

Moving Iron (MI) Instruments

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Construction
The moving iron fixed to the spindle is kept near the hollow fixed coil. The pointer and balance weight
are attached to the spindle, which is supported with jeweled bearing.
Here air friction damping is used.
Principle of operation
The current to be measured is passed through the fixed coil. As the current is flow through the fixed coil,
a magnetic field is produced. By magnetic induction the moving iron gets magnetized. The north pole of moving
coil is attracted by the south pole of fixed coil. Thus the deflecting force is produced due to force of attraction.
Since the moving iron is attached with the spindle, the spindle rotates and the pointer moves over the calibrated
scale. But the force of attraction depends on the current flowing through the coil.
Advantages
1. MI can be used in AC and DC
2. It is cheap
3. Supply is given to a fixed coil, not in moving coil
4. Simple construction
5. Less friction error
Disadvantages
1. It suffers from eddy current and hysteresis error
2. Scale is not uniform
3. It consumed more power
4. Calibration is different for AC and DC operation
2. Repulsion Type Moving Iron Instrument

Construction
The repulsion type instrument has a hollow fixed iron attached to it. The moving iron is connected to the
spindle. The pointer is also attached to the spindle in supported with jeweled bearing.
Principle of operation
When the current flows through the coil, a magnetic field is produced by it. So both fixed iron and moving
iron are magnetized with the same polarity, since they are kept in the same magnetic field. Similar poles of fixed
and moving iron get repelled. Thus the deflecting torque is produced due to magnetic repulsion. Since moving
iron is attached to spindle, the spindle will move. So that pointer moves over the calibrated scale.
Damping: Air friction damping is used to reduce the oscillation.
Control: Spring control is used

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Wheatstone bridge
Wheatstone bridge, also known as the Resistance Bridge, The Wheatstone Bridge is used for
measurement of low resistance. It calculates the unknown resistance by balancing two legs of the bridge
circuit. One leg includes the component of unknown resistance.

Construction

A Wheatstone bridge circuit consists of four arms, of which two arms consist of known resistances
(P and Q) while the other two arms consist of an unknown resistance (R) and a variable resistance (S).
The circuit also consists of a galvanometer and an electromotive force source. The emf source is attached
between points a and b while the galvanometer is connected between points c and d. The current that
flows through the galvanometer depends on its potential difference.

Working Principle
The Wheatstone bridge works on the principle of null deflection, i.e. the ratio of their resistances
is equal, and no current flows through the circuit. Under normal conditions, the bridge is in an unbalanced
condition where current flows through the galvanometer. The bridge is said to be balanced when no
current flows through the galvanometer. This condition can be achieved by adjusting the known
resistance and variable resistance.
The current enters the galvanometer and divides into two equal magnitude currents as I 1 and I2.
The following condition exists when the current through a galvanometer is zero,

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Equation (2) shows the balanced condition of the bridge, while (3) determines the value of the unknown
resistance.

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