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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experiment is to familiarize the student with the method of
measuring resistance using the voltmeter-ammeter method and to allow him/her to
appreciate the errors involved in the two different cases of measurement.
1- Decade resistance boxes (3 boxes, 2 boxes of high values; 1 box of low values).
2- Two galvanometers (one to be used as a voltmeter, one to be used as an
ammeter).
3- Power supply.
4- Connecting leads.
PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENTS:
The lab preparation and assignments must be completed before
coming to the lab. Show it to your instructor for checking at the
beginning of the lab.
Pre1. Read this lab handout completely, and do all the problems indicated.
Pre 2. Read Chapter 15 (Resistance Measurement) from the online measurements material,
especially the voltmeter-ammeter method and how to convert a galvanometer into an
ammeter or voltmeter. Visit:
http://fetweb.ju.edu.jo/staff/Mechatronics/LShareef/MandI.htm
Pre 4. Revise the method of converting a galvanometer (PMMC) into a voltmeter and how to
calculate the suitable resistor.
Pre5. Revise the error involved in using case I and case II when measuring the resistance
verify your results.
Background
The voltmeter Ammeter method relies on using a voltage source to pass a current into the
unknown resistor and then measuring the current flowing through the resistor and the voltage
across it. By dividing the voltage across the resistor by the current flowing through it, the
value of the resistance can be derived.
Remember that the galvanometers (PMMC: permanent magnet moving coils) that you have
been provided with are not suitable to directly be used as voltmeters or ammeters. They need
to be converted to a higher scale instruments by the use of shunt resistor (for the ammeter)
and by the use of a series resistor (for the voltmeter). In order to do this you will need to use
the decade resistance boxes (DRB) provided. One of those DRBs will be used to convert
one galvanometer (the one marked with a V) into a voltmeter with a higher voltage range.
This DRB will be referred to as DRBV. The other DRB will be used to convert the
galvanometer (the one marked with an I) into an ammeter with a higher current range. This
DRB will be referred to as DRBA.
Galvanometer Specifications
You will need to know the galvanometer specifications, in order to increase their full scale
deflections (FSD). There are shown below.
Galvanometer to be used as an Ammeter: Full scale deflection (FSD) 0-1 mA, internal
resistance: 75 ohms.
PROCEDURE
Case I Practical
1- For each value of Rx, find the expected value of current that will flow (assuming a
voltage source of 10 V) by dividing 10 V by the value of Rx.
2- Based on the value of current expected to flow, calculate the required value of the
DRB to convert the ammeter to the suitable full scale deflection (FSD).
4- Calculate the required value of DRBV to a value suitable for a FSD of voltage of 10
V.
5- Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1 below. Remember that the voltmeter
shown might include DRBV in series. Also remember that the ammeter shown
might include DRBA in parallel.
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Important note: Remember that the internal resistance of the voltmeter or ammeter
will depend on the value of the series or shunt resistor used, not only on RV and RA.
For the voltmeter, its internal resistance will be the series combination of RV and
DRBV. For the ammeter, its internal resistance will be the parallel combination of RA
and DRBA.
Case II Practical
1- For each value of Rx, find the expected value of current that will flow (assuming a
voltage source of 10 V) by dividing 10 V by the value of Rx.
2- Based on the value of current expected to flow, calculate the required value of the
DRB to convert the ammeter to the suitable full scale deflection (FSD).
4- Calculate the required value of DRBV to a value suitable for a FSD of voltage of 10
V.
5- Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 2 below. Remember that the voltmeter
shown might include DRBV in series. Also remember that the ammeter shown
might include DRBA in parallel.
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Important note: Remember that the internal resistance of the voltmeter or ammeter
will depend on the value of the series or shunt resistor used, not only on RV and RA.
For the voltmeter, its internal resistance will be the series combination of RV and
DRBV. For the ammeter, its internal resistance will be the parallel combination of RA
and DRBA.
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Results and Discussion
In writing your report, you need to address the following questions:
1. What are the values of the series and shunt resistances that you needed to use to
convert the ammeter and voltmeter to the required new scales? Show all your
calculations.
2. Plot the percentage error (e%) versus Rx for Cases I and II. Repeat this for calculated
percentage error and measured percentage error.
3. Derive the expression for the error (e%) for both Cases I and II.
5. When will use each of the configurations (i.e., Case I or Case II)?
6. What do you do if you do not have any idea regarding the value of Rx?
7. What is the minimum possible full scale deflection (FSD) of the current galvanometer?
What is the maximum possible (FSD)?
http://fetweb.ju.edu.jo/staff/Mechatronics/LShareef/MandI.htm
12. While you were changing the value of Rx in Case I and II above, did you notice that the
voltmeter reading was changing? Explain.
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