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09-Multiple current ranges

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5 views

09-Multiple current ranges

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10223035
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Multiple current ranges Page 1 of 1

Multiple current ranges

Multimeters have several


measuring ranges. To obtain a
specific measuring range,
several shunt resistors are
connected in parallel, as shown
alongside, for example.

Note:
In some current ranges the
current through the meter
causes a drop in voltage
across the shunts, which are
now effectively in series with
meter. This gives rise to a
systematic error in the measurement. Since the shunt resistors are low-resistance
they are small in comparison to the internal resistance of the meter and this effect
can be disregarded for the sake of the calculation.

Example

A meter with full deflection at 400 µA and possessing an internal resistance of 1180 Ω
is to be used for measuring four measuring ranges of up to 500 mA, 200 mA, 100 mA
und 50 mA .

In each case the current being measured flows from a current input to the socket
labelled Minus.

The sizes of the four resistors as shown in the example can be calculated as follows:

1. Calculated voltage drop across the meter: 480mV


2. Calculation for shunt R needed for largest measuring range of 500 mA:
S1
RS1 = 472 mV / 499.6 mA = 0.94 Ω
3. Calculation for shunt R needed for measuring range of 200 mA:
S
RS = 472 mV / 199.6 mA = 2.36 Ω.
The value of RS2 is then given by the combination of the RS2 and RS1 where RS2
= RS - RS1 = 2.36 Ω - 0.94 Ω = 1.42 Ω
4. Calculation for shunt R for measuring range of 100 mA:
S
RS = 472 mV / 99.6 mA = 4.73 Ω.
The value of RS3 is then given by RS3 = RS - RS1 - RS2 = 4.8 Ω - 0.96 Ω - 1.44 Ω
= 2.37 Ω
5. Calculation for shunt R for measuring range of 50 mA:
S
RS = 480 mV / 49.6 mA = 9.68 Ω.
The value of RS4 is then given by RS4 = RS - RS1 - RS2 - RS3 = 9.7 Ω - 4.8 Ω -
1.44 Ω - 0.96 Ω = 4.95 Ω

file://C:\Program Files\LN\L@BSOFT\BooksENU\1K01\ELMT\ELMT_00596.htm 10/15/2013

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