AMITY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS

ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] EEE-Amity School of Engineering & Technology

Presentation on

Measuring Instruments
Module-III Basic Electrical Engineering
[ES103]
Nov 2025
Credit By Dr R K Viral
M: 9897675190, rviral@[Link]
 AMITY
Outline UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [ DELHI-NCR ]

▪ Types of instruments,

▪ Construction and working principles of PMMC and moving

iron type voltmeters & ammeters,
Lecture--45
▪ Single phase dynamometer wattmeter,

▪ Use of shunts and multipliers (Simple numerical problems

on shunts and multipliers).

2
 AMITY
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Introduction ASET-EEE

• Measurement:
It is the act or result of quantitative comparison between a predefined standard
and an unknown quantity.

• Instrument:
It is a device or mechanism used to determine the present value of a quantity
under observation.
AMITY
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Introduction ASET-EEE
AMITY
UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]
Introduction ASET-EEE
AMITY
UNIVERSITY
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Introduction ASET-EEE
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Classification of Instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Classification of Instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

• Classification based on the nature of operation:

➢Secondary instruments are further classified according to the nature of operation as:

1. Indicating
2. Recording
3. Integrating instruments.

➢ Indicating instruments indicate the instantaneous value of quantity under

measurement.
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY
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➢Recording instruments Contd…

Give a continuous record of variation of quantity being measured (such as voltage,

frequency, power etc.). Recorders are commonly used in power plants, process
industries.

➢An integrating instrument

One which takes into consideration the period or the time over which the
quantity is supplied. e.g. ampere-hour meter, energy meter.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY
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Electrical instruments can also classified as: Contd…

1. A.C. instruments

2. D.C. instruments

3. A.C./D.C. instruments

▪ Some electrical instruments can measure only A.C. quantity, e.g. induction type instruments,
some can measure only D.C. quantity, e.g. P.M.M.C. instruments. Some can work on both a.c.
and d.c. e.g. moving iron instruments, dynamometer instruments etc.
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Analog or Digital instruments: Contd…

➢One more way of classifying instrument

is:
1. Analog instruments
2. Digital instruments.
▪ Analog information is continuous and stepless
function of time. Analog instruments are easy to
understand, calibrate and maintain.

▪ Digital information is in form of discrete pulses

or steps. Digital instruments have higher
resolution, high readability.
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Operation of Indicating Instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

(“ Deflection Instruments and AC/DC ”)

(Permanent Magnet Moving Coil (PMMC) instruments, Electro-
dynamic instruments, Moving iron instruments)

For satisfactory operation of any indicating instrument, following three torques must act together
appropriately:

1. Deflecting torque

2. Controlling torque

3. Damping torque
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY
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1. Deflecting Torque: Contd…

▪ It causes the moving system of the instrument to move from its position of rest.
▪ Deflecting torque is produced by using any one of the following effects of electric current:
▪ Magnetic effect
▪ Electromagnetic induction effect
▪ Heating effect
▪ Electrostatic effect

2. Controlling Torque:
▪ It limits the movement of moving systems. It also ensures that magnitude of deflection is always
the same for the given value of input quantity under measurement.

▪ Controlling torque acts in the opposite direction to that of the deflecting torque.

• At steady state, Deflecting Torque (Td) = Controlling Torque (Tc)

 AMITY
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3. Damping Torque: Contd…

▪ Due to deflecting torque, pointer moves in one direction while due to controlling torque pointer

moves in opposite direction.

▪ Due to these opposite torques; the pointer may oscillate in the forward and backward direction if

the damping torque is not present.

▪ Damping torque brings the moving system to rest quickly in its final position.

▪ Damping torque acts only when the moving system is actually moving. If moving system is at rest,

damping torque is zero.

 AMITY
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Connection Diagrams ASET-EEE
Connection diagram of an Ammeter: Connection diagram of a voltmeter: Contd…
➢ Ammeter is used for the measurement of current. ➢ A voltmeter is used for the measurement of voltage (potential

➢ An ammeter is always connected in series with the load, difference).

the current through which is to be measured as shown in ➢ So it is connected across the points between which the potential
fig.(1). difference is to be measured.

➢ Since the resistance offered by an ammeter is very ➢ A voltmeter has a high resistance, so it draws very small
small, its introduction in series with load does not alter current. The connection of a voltmeter is as shown in fig.(2).
the circuit conditions.

Fig.(1): connection of an ammeter Fig.(2): connection diagram of voltmeter

 AMITY
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Comparison of Ammeter and Voltmeter: Contd…

S. No. Parameter Ammeter Voltmeter

1. Quantity measured Current Voltage

2. Connected in Series with load Parallel with load

3. Resistance Low High

4. Connection Diagram Refer fig.(1) Refer fig.(2)
 AMITY
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Moving Coil (MC) Instruments ASET-EEE

Contd…
Moving coil instruments (ammeter and voltmeter) are of two types:
1. Permanent magnet moving coil type (PMMC) used only for D.C.

2. Dynamometer type can be used for AC as well DC.

 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd…
▪ They are also known as d’Arsonval instruments.

▪ These instruments works on the electromagnetic effect of current.

▪ A permanent magnet used to produce magnetic flux and coil that carries the
current to be measures moves in this field.
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Contd…

Fundamental of PMMC

Magnetic field generated by a current carrying conductor and force exerted on such a conductor as it is
inserted in a magnetic field as illustrated by Figures .The magnitude of the force on the conductor depends on
the magnitude of the current which it carries. The force is a maximum when the current flows perpendicular
to the field and it is zero when it flows parallel to the field as illustrated in diagrams A and B respectively in
Figure .
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Working principle: Contd…

▪ When a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a force. It is given by

expression,

Where, F = Force in Newton,

F = BIL
B = Flux density is tesla,

I = Current is ampere,

L = Length of conductor in meter.

▪ The current I which is to be measured is passed through the moving coil and experiences a force which is

directly proportional to this current.

▪ Due to this force the coil moves and the pointer attached to it will also move.

▪ The angle through which the pointer moves is proportional to current I.

 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Construction: Contd…

▪ A coil of thin wire is mounted on an aluminum frame (spindle) positioned between the poles of a

U shaped permanent magnet which is made up of magnetic alloys like alnico.

▪ The coil is pivoted on the jewelled bearing and thus the coil is free to rotate. The current is fed to

the coil through spiral springs which are two in numbers.

▪ The coil which carries a current, which is to be measured, moves in a strong magnetic field

produced by a permanent magnet and a pointer is attached to the spindle which shows the

measured value.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd…

Fig.(1): construction of PMMC instrument

AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd…
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

• A permanent magnet with two soft-iron pole shoes Contd…

• A cylindrical soft-iron core is positioned between the shoes

• One of the two controlling spiral springs is shown.

• One end of this spring is fastened to the pivoted coil, and the other end is connected to an adjustable zero-
position control

• The current in the coil must flow in one direction to cause the pointer to move from the zero position over
the scale

• The terminals (+) and (–) indicate the correct polarity for connection, and the instrument is said to be
polarized.

• It cannot be used directly to measure alternating current Without rectifiers, it is purely a dc instrument
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

• Deflecting Torque:
➢ It can be proved that the expression for the
deflecting torque is given by,
➢ For steady state, the controlling torque is
Td = G x I
equal to the deflection torque
where G = constant
I = Current through the moving coil ∴ Tc = T d

i.e. Cθ = GI

• Controlling Torque: ∴θ∝I

➢ The controlling torque is given by,
➢ Thus deflection of the pointer is proportional
Tc = C. θ
to current passed through the coil.
where C = Control spring constant in N-m/rad
θ = Deflection of coil from zero position
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Advantages of PMMC Instruments: Contd…

1. The PMMC consumes less power and has great accuracy.

2. It has uniformly divided scale and can cover arc of 270 degree.

3. The PMMC has a high torque to weight ratio.

4. It can be modified as ammeter or voltmeter with suitable resistance.

5. It produces no losses due to hysteresis.

6. Linear scale .

7. Simple construction.

8. Can be constructed with very high sensitivity ( if taut band suspension is used).
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 1. PMMC Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Disadvantages of PMMC Instruments: Contd…

1. Polarized : The moving coil instrument can only be used on D.C supply as the reversal of current
produces reversal of torque on the coil.

2. It’s very delicate and sometimes uses ac circuit with a rectifier.

3. It’s costly as compared to moving coil iron instruments.

4. It may show error due to loss of magnetism of permanent magnet.

5. External magnetic fields badly affect its operation. This can be avoided by using core magnet type
PMMC construction****.

6. Not very sensitive (to have sensitive device the taut band suspension must be used: which is
expensive).
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Use of Shunt and Multiplier
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Contd…
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Use of Shunt and Multiplier
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Contd…
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Use of Shunt and Multiplier
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Contd…
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Use of Shunt and Multiplier
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Contd…
AMITY
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Example ASET-EEE

Contd…
AMITY
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Example ASET-EEE

Contd…
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 2. Dynamometer type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

▪ It is modification of PMMC instrument.

▪ Permanent magnet in PMMC is replaced by two fixed coils.
Principle of working:
▪ It works on the principle that whenever a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic
field, force is exerted on the conductor.

▪ In this case, fixed coils produced magnetic field. Moving coil carrying the current to be
measured is suspended in this magnetic field.
▪ Hence it experiences a torque. The moving coil then rotates through an angle proportional to
the current flowing through the moving coil.

▪ As the pointer is attached to the moving coil, we get the pointer deflection proportional to the
current to be measured.
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 2. Dynamometer type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Construction Contd..

➢ As shown in fig.(1), F1, F2 are two identical circular,

air cored coils. They are connected in series and
these coils are placed in parallel to each other.

➢ They produced a uniform magnetic field. M is a

light moving coils. It lies in the magnetic field
produced by F1, F2. moving coil is supported by a
spindle and jeweled bearing.

➢ Two control springs wound in opposite directions

are used as leads to pass current in moving coil.
These springs produce the controlling torque.
Damping torque is obtained using air-friction
Fig.(1): Dynamometer type moving coil instrument
damping.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 2. Dynamometer type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd..

Fig.(1): Dynamometer type moving coil instrument

 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Coil Instruments 2. Dynamometer type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Advantages: Contd..

1. Used of iron is avoided. Hence it is free from hysteresis and eddy current losses.

2. It is useful for both a.c. and d.c. measurements.

3. High degree of accuracy.

4. It can be used as a transfer instrument. It is often used as a standard instrument for

calibrating ammeter and volt meters.
Limitations:
1. Scale is nonlinear.
2. Torque to weight ratio is small.
3. It is an expensive instrument.
4. The instrument has low sensitivity.
5. Shielding should be provided to avoid effect of stray magnetic field.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron (MI) instruments
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] ASET-EEE

Where ruggedness is more important than high degree of accuracy, moving iron
instruments are used.
Types of moving iron instruments:

1. Attraction type

2. Repulsion type
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments 1. Attraction type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd..
▪ Construction of the attraction type moving iron instrument is as shown in the given
figure (1).

▪ The moving iron, i.e. the disc of soft iron, is eccentrically mounted. Coil is situated
around the disc. When the coil is excited it produces magnetic field.

▪ Due to magnetic field the moving iron moves from the weaker field outside the coil to the
stronger field inside the coil. Thus moving iron gets attracted inwards and thus the name
attraction type.

▪
▪ The controlling torque is provided by the balance weights attached to the moving iron.
Spring also can be used to provide controlling torque.

▪ Damping is provided by air friction in which aluminum piston is attached to the moving
system and moves in a closed air damping chamber.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments 1. Attraction type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd..

Fig.(1): attraction type moving instrument

AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments 1. Attraction type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd..
 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments 2. Repulsion Type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]
Contd..
▪ In these type of instruments there two vanes present inside the coil in which one is fixed while other is
movable. These both vanes gets similarly magnetized when coil is excited. Thus there is a force of
repulsion between both vanes causing movement in movable vane.

▪ There are further two different designs of repulsion type moving iron instruments.

i. Radial vane type:

▪ In radial vane type radial strips of iron are used as moving vanes. The fixed vane is attached to
the coil and moving is attached to the moving spindle.

ii. Coaxial vane type:

▪ In coaxial vane type the fixed as well as moving vanes are the sections of coaxial cylinders as
shown in above figure.
▪ The controlling torque is provided by the springs or balancing weights (in vertically mounted
instrument). The damping is provided by air friction damping same as in attraction type moving iron
instruments.
AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments 2. Repulsion Type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd..

Fig.(2):Repulsion type Moving Iron Instrument

AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments 2. Repulsion Type ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Contd..

Fig.(2):Repulsion type Moving Iron Instrument

 AMITY
UNIVERSITY Moving Iron Instruments ASET-EEE
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR]

Advantages of Moving iron Instruments: Contd..

1. Suitable of a.c. as well as d.c. measurements.
2. Good accuracy.
3. Cheaper in cost as compared to permanents magnet moving coil instruments.
4. The instrument has high torque to weight ratio.
5. The instrument can be used for low frequency measurement also.

Disadvantages of Moving iron instruments:

1. Power consumed by the instrument is high as compared to that of the permanent magnet moving
coil instrument.

2. The scale is non-uniform.

3. Due to the presence of iron part in the operating system, error due to the hysteresis effect is
introduced. To reduce this effect nickel iron alloys are used.
THANK YOU

DR R K Viral

rviral@[Link]
AMITY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING
NOIDA [DELHI-NCR] EEE-Amity School of Engineering & Technology