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Module-V Measuring instruments & Circuit

The document provides an overview of basic electrical engineering concepts, focusing on multimeters, energy meters, and the comparison between fuses and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs). A multimeter measures voltage, current, and resistance, while an energy meter tracks power consumption in AC circuits. Additionally, it highlights the differences between fuses and MCBs, including their functionality, cost, and reset capabilities.

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Ishita Gupta
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5 views

Module-V Measuring instruments & Circuit

The document provides an overview of basic electrical engineering concepts, focusing on multimeters, energy meters, and the comparison between fuses and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs). A multimeter measures voltage, current, and resistance, while an energy meter tracks power consumption in AC circuits. Additionally, it highlights the differences between fuses and MCBs, including their functionality, cost, and reset capabilities.

Uploaded by

Ishita Gupta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit Vth

Basic Electrical Engineering

1. Multimeter

A multimeter is mainly used to measure the three basic electrical characteristics of voltage,
current, and resistance. It can also be used to test continuity between two points in an electrical
circuit.

The multimeter has multi functionalities like, acts like ammeter, voltmeter, and ohmmeter. It is a
handheld device with positive and negative indicator needles over a numeric LCD digital
display. Multimeters can be used for testing batteries, household wiring, electric motors, and
power supplies.

Functions of Multimeters: These instruments are capable of different readings based on the
model. So basic types of multimeter are mainly used to measure amperage, resistance, voltage,
checks continuity and a complete circuit can be tested

Figure: Multimeter
2. Energy Meter
The meter which is used for measuring the energy utilises by the electric load is known as the
energy meter. The energy is the total power consumed and utilised by the load at a particular
interval of time. It is used in domestic and industrial AC circuit for measuring the power
consumption. The meter is less expensive and accurate.

Figure: Energy Meter

The energy meter has four main parts. They are the

1. Driving System
2. Moving System
3. Braking System
4. Registering System
1. Driving System – The electromagnet is the main component of the driving system. It is
the temporary magnet which is excited by the current flow through their coil. The core of the
electromagnet is made up of silicon steel lamination. The driving system has two
electromagnets. The upper one is called the shunt electromagnet, and the lower one is called
series electromagnet.
The series electromagnet is excited by the load current flow through the current coil. The coil
of the shunt electromagnet is directly connected with the supply and hence carry the current
proportional to the shunt voltage. This coil is called the pressure coil.

The centre limb of the magnet has the copper band. These bands are adjustable. The main
function of the copper band is to align the flux produced by the shunt magnet in such a way
that it is exactly perpendicular to the supplied voltage.

2. Moving System – The moving system is the aluminium disc mounted on the shaft of the
alloy. The disc is placed in the air gap of the two electromagnets. The eddy current is induced in
the disc because of the change of the magnetic field. This eddy current is cut by the magnetic
flux. The interaction of the flux and the disc induces the deflecting torque.

When the devices consume power, the aluminium disc starts rotating, and after some number of
rotations, the disc displays the unit used by the load. The number of rotations of the disc is
counted at particular interval of time. The disc measured the power consumption in kilowatt
hours.

3. Braking system – The permanent magnet is used for reducing the rotation of the aluminium
disc. The aluminium disc induces the eddy current because of their rotation. The eddy current cut
the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet and hence produces the braking torque.

This braking torque opposes the movement of the disc, thus reduces their speed. The permanent
magnet is adjustable due to which the braking torque is also adjusted by shifting the magnet to
the other radial position.

4. Registration (Counting Mechanism) – The main function of the registration or counting


mechanism is to record the number of rotations of the aluminium disc. Their rotation is directly
proportional to the energy consumed by the loads in the kilowatt hour.

The rotation of the disc is transmitted to the pointers of the different dial for recording the
different readings. The reading in kWh is obtained by multiply the number of rotations of the
disc with the meter constant. The figure of the dial is shown below.
3. Comparison of Fuse and MCB

Electric fuse Miniature circuit breaker – MCB

MCBs are resettable circuit protection device


Fuse is an electrical device that self-
that, on the occurrence of faults, stops the
destructs and stops the current flow in a
current flow in a circuit. They trip during
circuit whenever the current exceeds the
short circuits, overloads and rarely during
predefined value.
ground faults.

Fuses consist of metallic wire normally Miniature circuit breakers contain an


made up of tin, lead, silver, copper, electromagnetic core with plunger
aluminum etc. which melts down on the arrangement for short circuit protection and a
event of faults. bimetallic strip for overload protection.

Whenever excessive current flows through


An electromagnetic mechanism present inside
the fuse, the conducting material inside it
the MCB helps it to instantaneously interrupt
melts down thereby interrupting the
the current flow during faults.
current flow.

Fuses other than rewireable fuses cannot Miniature circuit breakers can be reused after
be reused. the clearance of faults.

Fuses acts faster than MCB. Typical


Tripping time for MCB is 20ms.
tripping time 2ms.

Can protect against short circuit and Can protect against short circuit and
overloads. overloads.

Cheaper than MCB. MCB costlier than fuses.


Diagram: Electric fuse

Diagram: MCB

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