Project 1

Dipayan Pal
August 2024

1 To convert a given ammeter into a volt meter and a volt-

meter into an ammeter to calibrate the instrument and
to measure the internal resistance of it in each case:
1.1 Converting a given ammeter into a voltmeter

• Apparatus required: A regulated power supply (may be 0-6V ,

1A), one microammeter (0-100µA), one voltmeter (0 - 1V ), one
sensitive digital multimeter, resistance box (0-10 kΩ), a rheostat
(200Ω, 1.5A)

• Theory:
(i) Measurement of internal resistance(Rm ): In fig.1 S is a stan-
dard low resistance and R is a variable resistance box. If d be the
reading of the microammeter with R = 0 and d2 be its reading. Figure 1

Figure 2 Figure 3

N.B.: An alternative method of finding Rm :

In Fig. 2 measure the p.d. between A and B by a digital multimeter for different values
of Rs . Now V = VA - VA = I·(Rm + Rs ) or VI = Rm + Rs . Therefore Rm can be found out
from the intercept of VI versus R, graph as shown in Fig. 3.

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 with R = R1 then the internal resistance of the microammeter is, Rm = R1 .

(ii) Choice of multiplier (Rs ) for different voltage ranges:

Now suppose we want to convert this microammeter having full-scale deflection current Im into
a voltmeter of range (0-ϕ) volt. Then the series resistor Rs (called multiplier) is to be so chosen
that,
Im · (Rs + Rm ) = ϕ
or, Rs = Iϕm − Rm

For example, if Im = 100µA then Rs + Rm = 10kΩ, 50 kΩ and 100kΩ for ϕ = 1V , 5V and

10V respectively.

(iii) Calibration:
Suppose we have converted an ammeter of range (0 -Im ) into a voltmeter of range (0-ϕ) V .
The scale of the given microammeter is now to be read as (0-ϕ) V . The potential
difference between the points A and B can be varied in small steps by adjusting the rheostat
and the power supply, over the whole scale of the converted voltmeter. Let at any step, V be
the reading of the voltmeter and V ′ be the p.d. across A and B as measured by an accurate
digital multimeter. So (V ′ -V) is the correction to be added algebraically to the instrument
indication(V) to obtain the true value. A calibration curve may be plotted as V ′ − V versus V
graph.

• Procedure:

(i) Construct the circuit of Fig.1 S is a standard resistance (may be 5Ω or 10Ω), keep R = 0 and
adjust the source voltage Vs until you get almost full scale deflection in the microammeter.
Now gradually increase the value of the variable resistance until the microammeter reading
reduces to half of its initial reading. The corresponding value of R equals the microammeter
internal resistance.
Fix the source voltage to other suitable values and repeat the measurement of Rm .

(ii) Repeat the measurement of Rm using one different value of S and with one different initial
reading. Find mean Rm .

(iii) Suppose you want to convert the given current meter of range (0- Im ) amp. into a voltmeter
of range (0 -ϕ) volt. Choose a series multiplier resistance Rs such that
Im · (Rs + Rm ) = ϕ or, Rs = Iϕm − Rm
For example, if Im = 100µA = 10−4 A, ϕ = 1V then required Rs + Rm = Iϕm = 104 Ω.
Similarly, if Im = 100µA and ϕ = 5V then choose Rs + Rm = 50kΩ. If Im = 100µA and ϕ =
10V then Rs + Rm = 100kΩ

(iv) Suppose, for example, you have converted a microammeter (0-100) µA into a voltmeter (0 -
1) V with proper choice of multiplier Rm . Now read the (0-100) µA scale as (0-1) V scale.
Construct the circuit of Fig 2. Vary the p.d. between the point A and B in small steps by
adjusting the rheostat and the power supply over the whole range of the constructed voltmeter.
At each step note this reading (V ) of the constructed voltmeter and also measure p.d. between
A and B by a sensitive digital multimeter (V ′ ) Find the correction V ′ − V for each V and draw
the V ′ − V versus V calibration graph (Fig 4).

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 Figure 4: Calibrated curve of the constructed voltmeter

(v) Repeat the processes (iii) and (iv) by converting the given current meter to a voltmeter of
different range (say, 0 - 10V )

• Experimental data:

(A) Data for internal resistance of the microammeter:

No. of Resistance s in Resistance in box R µA Rm in Ω = VAB

I
·106 − Mean Rm in Ω
obs. Ω in Ω reading Rs
0 100
1 2 1000
1000 50
0 80
2 2 1000
1000 40
1000
0 60
3 2 1000
1000 30
0 40
4 2 1000
1000 20

Table 1: Caption

Current Im for full-scale Rm in Ω Range of voltmeter to be Value of Rs in Ω

deflection in A constructed (0-ϕ) volt

Table 2: Caption

1.2 Converting a given ammeter into a voltmeter

• Apparatus required: A regulated power supply (may be 0-6V , 1A), one microammeter (0-
100µA), one voltmeter (0 - 1V ), one sensitive digital multimeter, resistance box (0-10 kΩ), a
rheostat (200Ω, 1.5A)

• Theory:

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No. of obs. Reading of the constructed P.d. between A and B as Correction V ′ −
voltmeter V in volt measured by digital meter V in volt
(V ) in volt

Table 3: Caption

(i) Measurement of internal resistance(Rm ): In Fig 5 let Vs be the reading of the voltmeter
with R = 0 and V2s be the reading of the voltmeter with R = R1 . Then, internal resistance of
the voltmeter is Rm =R1 .

(ii) Choice of the shunt resistance Rsh for different current ranges:
Current required for full-scale deflection of the voltmeter of range (0 - ϕ)V is Im = Rϕm .
To convert this voltmeter to an ammeter of (0-1) A range, let a shunt resistance Rsh is required.
Then,
Im · Rm = (I − Im ) · Rsh
Im · Rm
Or, Rsh =
(I − Im )

Figure 5

·10 −4 4
For example, if ϕ=1V , Im =100µA then Rm =104 Ω and for I=100mA, Rsh = 1010−1 −10 −4 ≈ 10Ω

(iii) Calibration:
Suppose we have converted a voltmeter of range (0-6) V into an ammeter of range (0-1) A.
Then the scale of the given voltmeter is to be read
as (0 - 1) * A The current through the circuit
in Fig 9.4 can be varied by adjusting the power
supply and the rheostat. Let I be the reading of
the ammeter thus constructed and I be the cur-
rent recorded by a precision ammeter connected
between C and D/or I’ = (V’) / R where V’ is the
voltage measured by a precision digital voltmeter
across a standard resistor R. So r - I will be the
correction to be added algebraically to the instru-
ment indication (7) to obtain the true value. A
calibration curve may be plotted as r - 1 versus I
Figure 6
graph.
• Procedure:

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 Table 4: Caption

Table 5: Caption

(i) Take the given voltmeter (may be 0 - 1V ) and construct the circuit of Fig ??. Keep R = 0 and
adjust the power supply voltage until you get almost full-scale reading (d) in the voltmeter.
Now increase the of R from 0 to R1 such that the reading of the voltmeter reduces to half i.e.
d
2
. Thus you get the internal resistance of the voltmeter as Rm =R1 .

(ii) Repeat the measurement of setting the source voltage at Rm different values i.e. with different
initial of the voltmeter. Find mean Rm

(iii) Suppose you are to convert this voltmeter of range (0 - ϕ) volt into an ammeter of range (0 − I)
amp. Calculate the current Im = Rϕm required for full-scale deflection of the voltmeter. Now
choose the shunt resistance Rsh such that,

Im · Rm = (I − Im ) · Rsh

Im · Rm
Or, Rsh =
(I − Im )

(iv) For example, suppose you are to convert a (0 - 1)V voltmeter into a milliammeter of range
(0-100)mA. Let Rm = 10kΩ, Im = 10−4 A = 100µA. Therefore, required shunt,

10−4 · 104
Rsh = ≈ 10Ω
10−1 − 10−4
Now the scale (0 - 1)V is to be read as (0-100)mA.

(v) Construct the circuit of Fig6. Vary the current following through the circuit in small steps
by adjusting the rheostat and the power supply, over the whole range of the ”converted”
milliammeter. At each step note the reading (I) of the converted milliammeter and also measure
this current by a sensitive accurate current meter. It can be done by connecting an accurate
current meter between C and D. Alternatively, by measuring the voltage (V ) across a standard
′
resistor R by a sensitive digital multimeter, it can be calculated as I ′ = VR . Find the correction
I ′ -I for each I and draw the (I ′ − I) versus I calibration graph The graph may be of the nature
as shown in Fig4.

(vi) Repeat the process (ii) to (v) by converting the given voltmeter inte a milliammeter of different
range.

• Experimental data:

* Precautios and Discussion:

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 Table 6: Caption

(i) A permanent-magent moving-coil mechanism is basic to any analog de measur-

ing device.
(ii) An ammeter has low resistance and it should never be connected across a source
of e.mf. Otherwise a large current will pass through it and will damage it.
Always connect it in series with a current limiting resistance.
(iii) DC meters should always be connected with correct polarity. Opposite. polarity
forces the pointer against the mechanical stop at the left and this can bend the
pointer.
(iv) An ammeter is of low resistance so that when connected in series in a circuit, it
does not appreciably alters the circuit current. A voltmeter is connected across
the voltage to be measured and, therefore, it must have very high resistance so
that current taken by it may be small.
(v) A more precise method of calibration of the de meters uses a potentiometer.
But the process is slow and is more precise than is needed for ordinary portable
meters.
(vi) A good source of constant current or a precision power supply is required for
the purpose of calibration.
(vii) In the calibration curve the observed points are usually joined by straight lines
to indicate the general trend. Obviously it is not justifiable to read off inter-
mediate values.