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Ex.01 Wheatstone Bridge

The document outlines an experiment using a Wheatstone Bridge to measure resistance values, detailing the setup, theory, and balance equations involved. It explains the sensitivity of the bridge, Thevenin's equivalent for unbalanced conditions, and discusses limitations and applications of the Wheatstone Bridge in measuring DC resistance and locating cable faults. Additionally, it includes review questions to assess understanding of the concepts presented.

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vikram singh
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8 views6 pages

Ex.01 Wheatstone Bridge

The document outlines an experiment using a Wheatstone Bridge to measure resistance values, detailing the setup, theory, and balance equations involved. It explains the sensitivity of the bridge, Thevenin's equivalent for unbalanced conditions, and discusses limitations and applications of the Wheatstone Bridge in measuring DC resistance and locating cable faults. Additionally, it includes review questions to assess understanding of the concepts presented.

Uploaded by

vikram singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EXPERIMENT NO.

2
STUDY OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

OBJECTIVE:-
To measure the resistance value using Wheatstone`s Bridge.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP: Wheat stone bridge, galvanometer, D.C. power supply, unknown
resistance, connecting leads etc.
THEORY:
INTRODUCTION:
Bridge circuits are extensively used for measuring components values such as R, L and C.
Since the bridge circuit merely compares the value of tan unknown component with that of an
accurately known component (a standard), its measurement accuracy can be very high.
The Wheatstone bridge is used for accurate measurement of resistance.
BRIDGE CIRCUIT DETAILS:
The source of emf and switch is connected to points A and B, while a sensitive current
indicating meter, the galvanometer, is connected to points C and D. The galvanometer is a
sensitive
microammeter, with a zero center scale. When there is no current through the meter, the
galvanometer pointer resets at 0, i.e. mid scale. Current in one direction causes the pointer to
deflect on one side and current in the opposite direction to the other side.
When SW1 is closed, current flows and divides into the two arms at point A, i.e. I1 and I2.
The bridge is balanced when there is no current through the galvanometer, or when the potential
difference at points C and D is equal, i.e. the potential across the galvanometer is zero.
To obtain the bridge balance equation, we have from the fig.
I1R1 = I2R2 ------------------------ (1)
For the galvanometer current to be zero, the following condition should be satisfied.
I1 = I3 = E -----------------(2)
R1 + R3
I2 = I4 = E --------------------(3)
R2 + R4
Substituting in eq. (1)
R4 = R2 R3
R1
This is the equation for the bridge to be balanced.
Balance Equation: R4 = R2 R3
R1
SENSITIVITY OF WHETSTONE BRIDGE:
Sensitivity is deflection per unit current.
Sensitivity = deflection
Unit current.
Where, S=linear or angular per micro-A
S=mm/micro-A
S=radians/micro-A
Therefore, total deflection is given by
D=S*I
Where I=current in amperes (micro-A)
THEVENINS EQUIVALENT FOR UNBALANCED WHEATSTONE‛S BRIDGE:

Thevenin‛s equivalent voltage is found by disconnecting the galvanometer from the bridge
circuit, as shown in the above figure, and determining the open circuit voltage between
terminals a
and b.
Applying the voltage divider equation, the voltage at point ‘ a‛, can be determined as follows
Ea = E ´ R3 and at point ‘ b‛, Eb = E ´ R4
R1 + R 3 R2 + R 4
Therefore, the voltage between a and b is the difference between E a and Eb , Which
represents
Thevenin‛s equivalent voltage.
Eth = Eab = Ea – Eb = E ´ R3 - E ´ R4
R1 + R 3 R2 + R 4
Therefore Eab = E R3 - R4
R1 + R 3 R2 + R 4
Thevenin‛s equivalent resistance can be determined by replacing the voltage source E with
its
internal impedance or otherwise short-circuit and calculating the resistance looking into
terminals a

and b. Since the internal resistance looking into terminals a and b. Since the internal
resistance is
assumed to be very low, we treat it as 0W. Thevenin‛s equivalent resistance circuit is shown
below.
The equivalent

The equivalent resistance of the circuit is R1êêR3 in series with R2êêR4


i.e. R1êêR3 + R2êêR4 .
Therefore, Thevenin‛s equivalent circuit is given in figure below. If the galvanometer is
connected
across the terminals a and b of fig 2 or its Thevenin‛s equivalent fig 4 it will experience the
same
deflection at the output of the bridge.
e magnitude of current is limited by both Thevenin‛s equivalent resistance and any
resistance connected between point a and b. The resistance between a and b consists only
of
the galvanometer resistance Rg. The deflection current in the galvanometer is therefore
given
by
Ig = Eth
Rth + Rg
LIMITATIONS:
For low resistance measurement, the resistance of the leads and contacts becomes
significant and introduces an error. This can be eliminated by Kelvin‛s Double Bridge.
Another difficulty in Wheatstone‛s bridge is the change in resistance of the bridge
arms due to the heating effect of current through the resistance. The rise in temperature
causes a change in the resistance, and excessive current may cause a permanent change in
value.
APPLICATIONS:
The Wheatstone‛s bridge can be used to measure the dc resistance of various types of
wire, either for the purpose of quality control of the wire itself, or of some assembly in which
it is used. For example, the resistance of motor windings, transformers, solenoids, and relay
coils can be measured.
Wheatstone‛s bridge is also used extensively by telephone companies and others to
locate cable faults. The fault may be two lines shorted together, or a single line shorted to
ground.

CONCLUSION:

REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:


1. Compare the measuring accuracy of a Wheatstone‛s bridge with the accuracy of an
ordinary
ohmmeter?
2. Define the term null as it applies to bridge measurement.
3. What are different types of null detector used in bridge measurement?
4. A wheatstone‛s bridge cannot be used for precision measurements. Give reasons.

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