Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

REPORT ASSIGNMENT

1.0 TITLE
Design of basic shunt DC multirange ammeter using Permanent Magnet
Moving Coil (PMMC) of I fsd = 100 µA for range of 0 − 100mA, 0 − 150mA

and 300mA .

2.0 OBJECTIVES
i. To design a basic shunt DC multirange ammeter using PMMC.
ii. To understand the properties of a basic shunt DC multirange ammeter.
iii. To calculate the current through a circuit measured by basic shunt DC
multirange ammeter using PMMC.
iv. To measure the actual value internal resistance of PMMC.

3.0 EQUIPMENTS/ MATERIALS

NO. EQUIPMENT UNIT/S
1 Resistor 2.2Ω 3
2 PMMC (micro-ammter) 1
3 4 ways switch 1

4.0 THEORY
Meter
A meter is any device built to accurately detect and display an electrical
quantity in a form readable by a human being. Usually this "readable form" is visual:
motion of a pointer on a scale, a series of lights arranged to form a "bar graph," or
some sort of display composed of numerical figures. In the analysis and testing of
circuits, there are meters designed to accurately measure the basic quantities of
voltage, current, and resistance. The display mechanism of a meter is often referred to
as a movement, borrowing from its mechanical nature to move a pointer along a scale
so that a measured value may be read.
The design of most mechanical movements is based on the principle of
electromagnetism: that electric current through a conductor produces a magnetic field
perpendicular to the axis of electron flow. The greater the electric current, the stronger

1
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

the magnetic field produced. If the magnetic field formed by the conductor is allowed
to interact with another magnetic field, a physical force will be generated between the
two sources of fields. If one of these sources is free to move with respect to the other,
it will do so as current is conducted through the wire, the motion which usually
against the resistance of a spring being proportional to strength of current.
However, practical electromagnetic meter movements can be made now where a
pivoting wire coil is suspended in a strong magnetic field, shielded from the majority
of outside influences. Such an instrument design is generally known as a permanent-
magnet, moving coil, or PMMC movement:

Figure 1: Construction of Permanent Magnet Moving Coil (PMMC)

In the picture above, the meter movement "needle" is shown pointing

somewhere around 35 percent of full-scale, zero being full to the left of the arc and
full-scale being completely to the right of the arc. An increase in measured current
will drive the needle to point further to the right and a decrease will cause the needle
to drop back down toward its resting point on the left. The arc on the meter display is
labeled with numbers to indicate the value of the quantity being measured, whatever
that quantity is.

2
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Ammeter

Figure 2: A Typical 0-1mA Ammeter Figure 3: D’Arsonval used in DC

Ammeter circuit

A meter designed to measure electrical current is popularly called an "ammeter"

because the unit of measurement is "amps." The earliest design is the D'Arsonval
galvanometer or moving coil ammeter. It uses magnetic deflection, where current
passing through a coil causes the coil to move in a magnetic field. The voltage drop
across the coil is kept to a minimum to minimize resistance across the ammeter in any
circuit into which it is inserted.
Besides that, moving iron ammeters use a piece or pieces of iron which move
when acted upon by the electromagnetic force of a fixed coil of wire. This type of
meter responds to both direct and alternating currents as opposed to the moving coil
ammeter, which works on direct current only
To measure larger currents, a resistor called a shunt is placed in parallel with the
meter. Most of the current flows through the shunt, and only a small fraction flow
through the meter. This allows the meter to measure large currents.

Multi-Range Ammeter

In practical terms, ammeters with a single range are not very useful. However
there are some exceptions such as Marine meters-voltage, fuel, Power station meters
(voltage, frequency) and automotive meters (ammeter, tachometer).All of which have
one useful range.
To make an ammeter to measure several ranges at once, one approach is to have
a separate shunt resistor for each range and we can calculate each resistor value of the
shunt.

3
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Figure 4: Several Range Meter Connections

By referring to Figure 4, the position of the switch, one of R1 to R4 would be

connected as a shunt across the meter. However, a problem may have with thus
arrangement. At the point when the switch is moved from position 1 to position 2, the
PMMC movement will be forced to pass a current that may be more than full scale
deflection current, I fsd . This will most likely destroy the meter, or at best blow a fuse.

Hence, to solve of this problem another ways of connection can be used. Those are a
make-before-break switch and a Universal or Ayrton Shunt. The make-before-switch
establishes contact with the next contact position before losing contact with the
existing connection. In this manner, the shunt resistors are never removed from the
circuit and the PMMC movement is always protected.

Figure 5: The Make-Before-Switch Connection

4
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Figure 6: The Universal or Ayrton shunt of Multi-Range Ammeter

As refer to Figure 5, the Universal or Ayrton shunt connection. The shunt

resistors, R1, R2 and R3, are all in series and collectively in parallel to the meter
movement. Thus,
Rsh = R1 + R 2 + R3
If the input is connect to position 1, it can be say that
Vsh = Vm
I sh Rsh = I m Rm
( I − I m )( R1 + R 2 + R3) = I m Rm
Where, Ish = shunt current for this position.
If the input is connect to position 2,
( I − I m )( R 2 + R3) = I m ( Rm + R1)
If the input is connect to position 3,
( I − I m )( R3) = I m ( Rm + R1 + R 2)
Hence, by using substitution of equations the value of shunt resistors, R1, R2
and R3 can be calculated. Besides, this method is used for this project.

5.0 PROCEDURE
1. A basic shunt DC multirange ammeter was designed using PMMC of
Ifsd=100µA for range of 0-100mA, 0-150mA and 0-300mA.
2. The designed circuit was tested by using Multisim.
3. The internal resistance, Rm for the micro-ammeter was measured by using
DMM.

5
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

4. The designed circuit was constructed on a breadboard and the circuit was
checked.
5. The observation and the finding were discussed.

6.0 RESULT
Theoretical/ Calculation Result
To design basic shunt DC multirange ammeter using PMMC, the Aryton
Shunt or Universal Shunt was used.

I SH I fsd = 100µA

Figure 1: An Aryton Shunt design circuit

Calculation for circuit in Figure 1 to provide an ammeter with a current range

of 0 − 100mA, 0 − 150mA , 0 − 300mA and I fsd = 100 µA .

Firstly, voltage across resistors R1, R2 and R3 parallel with the voltage Rm.
Hence,
VSH = VRm
I SH RSH = I M RM
But,
I = I SH + I fsd
∴ I SH = I − I fsd

For range 0 − 100 mA,

(100 m − 100 µ )( R3 + R 2 + R1) = 100 µRm

6
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

99.9m( R3 + R 2 + R1) = 100 µRm -- (1)

For range 0 − 150 mA,
(150 m − 100 µ )( R 2 + R1) = 100 µRm
149 .9m( R 2 + R1) = 100 µ ( Rm + R3) -- (2)
( R 2 + R1) = 667 .11µ ( Rm + R3) -- (3)
For range 0 − 300mA,
(300m − 100 µ )( R1) = 100 µRm
299.9m( R1) = 100 µ ( Rm + R3 + R 2)
R1 = 333 .44 µ ( Rm + R3 + R 2) -- (4)
Substitute equation (3) into equation (1),
99.9m[R3 + 667.11µ ( Rm + R3)] = 100µRm
99.9m[R3 + 667.11µRm + 667.11µR3] = 100µRm
99.9mRm + 66.64µRm + 66.64µR3 = 100µRm
99.97mR3 = 33.36Rm
R3 = 333.70 µRm -- (5)
Substitute equation (3) and equation (4) into equation (2),
149.9m[R 2 + 333.44 µ ( Rm + R3 + R 2)] = 100 µ ( Rm + R3)
R 2 + 333.44 µRm + 333.44 µR3 + 333.44 µR 2 = 667.11µ ( Rm + R3)
R 2(1 + 333.44 µ ) + 333.44 µRm + 333.44 µ (333.7 µRm) = 667.11µ (333.7 µRm)
R 2(1 + 333.44 µ ) = 333.82 µRm
R 2 = 333 .71µRm -- (6)
Substitute equation (5) and equation (6) into equation (4),
R1 = 333.44 µ ( Rm + R3 + R 2)
= 333.44 µ ( Rm + 333.70 µRm + 333.71µRm)
= 333.44 µRm + 111.27 nRm + 111.27 nRm
= 333.66 µRm
Hence, the value of R3, R2 and R1
∴ R3 = 333.70 µRm
R 2 = 333.71µRm
R1 = 333.66 µRm

Ω
From the laboratory result, the Rm for the PMMC micro-ammeter is 6.72kΩ

Therefore, the value of R3, R2 and R1

7
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Simulation Result
(i) A basic DC circuit of voltage source and resistor was constructed and
measure by using multimeter in Multisim Software.

Figure 2
Calculation by using mathematical method:
By using Ohm’s Law,
V = IR
V
I calculated =
R
12
=
1k
= 12mA ( proved )

8
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

(ii) A designed basic shunt DC Multirange ammeter and connected to a

basic circuit as in Figure 1 was constructed by using Multisim Software.

Figure 3

(iii) Internal resistance of ammeter was set to 6.72k Ω .

Figure 4

9
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Due to set value of internal resistance, Rm=6.72k Ω hence the resistor’s value
obtained and used in designed basic shunt DC Multirange ammeter was,
R3 = 333.70 µRm
= 333.70 µ (6.72k )
= 2.242Ω

R 2 = 333.71µRm
= 333.71µ (6.72k )
= 2.242Ω

R1 = 333.66 µRm
= 333.66 µ (6.72k )
= 2.242Ω

(iv) A basic DC circuit was measured by using designed basic shunt DC

Multirange ammeter of I fsd = 100 µA for range of 0 − 100mA .

Range of 0 − 100mA on designed ammeter was selected to measure the current of DC

circuit as connected.
Measured current value from ammeter, I = 12.001µA .

10
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Hence,
I measured
I dc circuit = × I selected range
I fsd

Given, I fsd = 100 µA

12.00 µ
∴ I dccircuit = × 100m
100µ
= 12.00mA
= I calculated

(v) A basic DC circuit was measured again by using designed basic shunt DC
Multirange ammeter of I fsd = 100 µA for range of 0 − 150mA .

Range of 0 − 150mA on designed ammeter was selected to measure the current of DC

circuit as connected.
Measured current value from ammeter, I = 7.815 µA .
Hence,
7.815µ
∴ I dccircuit = × 150m
100 µ
= 11.7225mA
≈ 12.0mA ≈ I calculated

11
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

(v) A basic DC circuit was measured again by using designed basic shunt DC
Multirange ammeter of I fsd = 100 µA for range of 300mA .

Range of 300mA on designed ammeter was selected to measure the current of DC

circuit as connected.
Measured current value from ammeter, I = 3.916 µA .
Hence,
3.916 µ
∴ I dccircuit = × 300m
100µ
= 11.748mA
≈ 12.0mA ≈ I calculated

Laboratory Result

Ω
The internal resistance, Rm for the PMMC micro-ammeter is 6.72kΩ

Components Measured value

Internal resistance, Rm 6.72kΩ

Resistor 1kΩ 0.989kΩ

12
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Resistor 2.2Ω 2.2Ω

IRSH
I m = I fsd =
Rm + RSH

(100m)(6.6)
=
6.72k + 6.6
= 98.12 µ

The range 0 – 100mA

Voltage,Vin
Voltage,Vin Measured current,I Calculated value,Vo
value,Vo % error

(V) (µA) (V) (%)

10 10 10.08 0.80

11 11 11.09 0.81

12 12 12.10 0.83

13 13 13.10 0.76

14 14 14.11 0.79

15 15 15.12 0.80

16 16 16.13 0.81

17 17 17.13 0.76

18 18 18.14 0.78

19 19 19.15 0.79

20 20 20.16 0.80

13
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

The range 0 – 15
150mA

Voltage,Vin
Voltage,Vin Measured
Measured current,I Calculated value,Vo % error

(V) (µA) (V) (%)

10 7.0 10.58 5.8

11 7.6 11.49 4.45

12 8.0 12.10 0.83

13 9.0 13.61 4.69

14 9.0 13.61 2.78

15 10.0 15.12 0.80

16 11.0 16.63 3.94

17 11.4 17.24 1.41

18 12.0 18.14 0.78

19 13.0 19.65 3.42

20 13.6 20.56 2.80

The range 0 – 300mA

300mA

Voltage,Vin
Voltage,Vin Measured current,I Calculated value,Vo % error

(V) (µA) (V) (%)

10 3.6 10.88 8.80

11 4.0 12.09 9.91

12 4.0 12.09 0.75

13 4.4 13.3 2.31

14
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

14 5.0 15.12 8.0

15 5.2 15.72 4.80

16 5.6 16.93 5.81

17 6.0 18.14 6.71

18 6.0 18.14 0.78

19 6.4 19.35 1.84

20 7.0 21.17 5.85

For range 0 – 100mA

The calculation of the Vo,

When Vin = 10V

I
Vo = x(range) xR4
I fsd

10 µ
= x(100mA) x0.989k
98.12 µ
= 10.08V

When Vin = 11V

11µ
Vo = x(100mA)x0.989k
98.12 µ
= 11.09V

The calculation of the percentage error,

When Vin = 10V,

15
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

Yn − Xn
%error =| | x100%
Yn

10 − 10.08
=| | x100%
10
= 0.8%

When Vin = 11V,

11 − 11.09
%error =| | x100%
11

= 0.81%

For range 0 – 15
150mA

The calculation of the Vo,

When Vin = 10V

I
Vo = x(range) xR4
I fsd

7µ
= x(150mA) x0.989k
98.12 µ
= 10.58V

When Vin = 11V

7.6 µ
Vo = x(150mA)x0.989k
98.12 µ
= 11.49V

The calculation of the percentage error,

16
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

When Vin = 10V,

Yn − Xn
%error =| | x100%
Yn

10 − 10.58
=| | x100%
10
= 5.8%

When Vin = 11V,

11 − 11.49
%error =| | x100%
11

= 4.45%

For range 0 – 300mA

300mA

The calculation of the Vo,

When Vin = 10V

I
Vo = x(range) xR4
I fsd

3.6 µ
= x(300mA) x 0.989k
98.12 µ
= 10.88V

When Vin = 11V

4.0 µ
Vo = x(300mA)x0.989k
98.12 µ
= 12.09V

The calculation of the percentage error,

17
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

When Vin = 10V,

Yn − Xn
%error =| | x100%
Yn

10 − 10.88
=| | x100%
10
= 8.80%

When Vin = 11V,

11 − 12.09
%error =| | x100%
11

= 9.91%

18
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

7.0 DISCUSSION/ ANALYSIS

The shunt resistance was very small relative to the internal resistance of the
micro-ammeter. A high voltage that passes through the shunt resistor may cause the
resistor burnt. Therefore, no connection was made from the resistors directly to the
high voltage supply. A resistor which has a high resistance is connected to the shunt
resistor in parallel to avoid the burning of resistors occur.
A Permanent Magnet Moving Coil (PMMC) was used to design an ammeter,.
Before design the ammeter, internal resistance of the PMMC was measured to do the
calculation. The PMMC galvanometer constitutes the basic movement of a dc
ammeter. Since the coil winding of a basic movement is small and light, it can carry
only very small currents. When large currents are to be measured, it is necessary to
bypass a major part of the current through a resistance called a shunt.
The shunt resistance used may consist of a length of constant temperature
resistance wire within the case of instrument. The general requirements of a shunt are
as follows.
a. The temperature coefficient of the shunt and instrument should be low
and nearly identical.
b. The resistance of the shunt should not vary with time.
c. It should carry the current without excessive temperature rise.
d. It should have a low thermal emf.
The current range of the dc ammeter may be further extended by a number of
shunt and it is known as multirange ammeter. A switch can be connected in the circuit
to choose the range desired. The switch used to connect in the circuit must be a low
resistance and high current carrying capacity, since its contacts are in series with low
resistance. To prevent the ammeter broken when in use, the highest current range was
used to measure current first, then decrease the range until good upscale reading is
obtained.
When an ammeter was inserted in a circuit, it always increases the resistance
of the circuit and reduces the current in the circuit. This effect was known as the
ammeter insertion effects. To reduce the insertion effects, the resistance used to
design the ammeter should be as low as possible.

8.0 CONCLUSION

19
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

After doing this assignment, it is found that the ammeter was design by using
a PMMC. Beside that, to measured a large current, the ammeter can be designed with
a resistor connect parallel with the PMMC or known as shunt. In this assignment, a
basic shunt DC multirange ammeter using PMMC was designed.

Beside that, before design the ammeter, internal resistance of the PMMC was
measured first. When designing the multirange ammeter, some requirements as shown
in the discussion were considered, this is to make sure the ammeter that had designed
have an accurate and a precise reading.

The insertion effects which the ammeter will increases the resistance of the
circuit when connected in the circuit thus decreases the current flow in the circuit also
considered in the design. That is the resistor used to design the ammeter is the resistor
with a low resistance.

9.0 REFERENCES
Book Sources:
i. Kalsi H.S., “Electronic Instrumentation”, Second Edition, Tata
McGraw Hill, 2004.

Internet Sources:
i. Ammeter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammeter

ii. Ammeter Design

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_8/2.html

iii. Ammeter impact on measured circuit

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_8/5.html

iv. AMP[Shunt Ammeter Circuit

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html

v. Construction of Voltmeter or Ammeter From a Galvanometer

20
Report Assignment BENP 2183 Electronic Instrumentations

http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~clarkt/Courses/Physics271L/Exp4/ex
p4.html

vi. DC Ammeter
http://tpub.com/content/neets/14188/css/14188_82.htm

21