ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY OF

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

EE009-3-1-INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT

GUIDED LAB REPORT

TITLE WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

NAME & STUDENT ID SIM ZHONG SHEN, TP079818

INTAKE APD1F2403ME

LECTURER TS. DR. YVETTE SHAAN-LI SUSIAPAN

DATE 27th June 2024

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... 3

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 4
RESULTS ......................................................................................................................... 4
Calculation for unbalanced bridge ....................................................................................... 5
Calculation for balanced bridge .......................................................................................... 6
DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 7
CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 7
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 8
APPENDIX ....................................................................................................................... 9

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Wheatstone bridge circuit ................................................................................................ 4

F igure 2: Raw results of the experiment ........................................................................................ 9

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Unbalanced bridge .................................................................................................. 4

Table 2: Balanced Bridge...................................................................................................... 5

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INTRODUCTION

To demonstrate the relationship between the output voltage and varying resistance on one arm in a
Wheatstone bridge. There will be 3 resistor and 1 potentiometer as the varying resistor labelled as R1,
R2, R3 and Rx correspondingly.

Figure 1: Wheatstone Bridge Circuit

In a Wheatstone bridge, there are 2 possible states, an unbalanced and balanced state. An unbalanced
state is when the voltage different between the bridge is not different. A balanced state is when the
voltage difference between the bridge is 0, it is used to find the resistance of the potentiometer.

RESULTS

Table 1: Unbalanced bridge

Rx Vab Vab
Vin (V) R1 (kΩ) R2 (kΩ) R3 (kΩ) (Measured) (Calculated) (Measured)
(kΩ) (V) (V)
1 0.994 -2.088 -2.054
2 1.498 -1.669 -1.648
3 1.993 -1.340 -1.308
4 2.500 -1.064 -1.040
5 3.003 -0.837 -0.818
4.980 3.005 0.981 1.973
6 3.496 -0.648 -0.640
7 3.990 -0.485 -0.479
8 4.490 -0.343 -0.341
9 5.010 -0.213 -0.200
10 5.490 -0.108 -0.098
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Table 2: Balanced Bridge

Vab Rx Rx
R1 (kΩ) R2 (kΩ) R3 (kΩ) (Measured) (Calculated) (Measured)
(V) (kΩ) (kΩ)
1 3.005 0.981 1.973 0 6.044 6.030
2 0.981 3.005 1.973 0 0.644 0.630
3 1.973 3.005 0.981 0 0.644 0.633
4 3.005 1.973 0.981 0 1.494 1.492
5 0.981 1.973 3.005 0 1.494 1.492

Calculation for unbalanced Wheatstone bridge

Equation for Va with voltage divider rule:
𝑅𝑥
𝑉𝑎 = ∗ 𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑥
𝑅3
𝑉𝑏 = ∗ 𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑅2 + 𝑅3
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝑎 − 𝑉𝑏
As R3 and R2 does not change, the Vb is the same for all experiment. Thus
𝑅3
𝑉𝑏 = ∗ 𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑅2 + 𝑅3
1.973𝑘
𝑉𝑏 = ∗ 4.980
0.981𝑘 + 1.973𝑘
𝑉𝑏 = 3.326
0.994𝑘
1. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+0.994𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 1.2378𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 1.2378 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −2.0883𝑉
1.498𝑘
2. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+1.498𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 1.6567𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 1.6567 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −1.6694𝑉
1.993𝑘
3. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+1.993𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 1.9858𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 1.9858 − 3.3261
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𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −1.3403𝑉
2.500𝑘
4. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+2.500𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 2.2616𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 2.2616 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −1.0646𝑉
3.003𝑘
5. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+3.003𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 2.4891𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 2.4891 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −0.8370𝑉
3.496𝑘
6. 𝑉𝑎 = ∗ 4.980
3.005𝑘+3.496𝑘𝑘
𝑉𝑎 = 2.6781𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 2.6781 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −0.648𝑉
3.990𝑘
7. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+3.990𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 2.8406𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 2.8406 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −0.4855𝑉
4.490
8. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005+4.490 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 3.1129𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 2.9833 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −0.3428𝑉
5.010𝑘
9. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+5.010𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 3.09413𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 3.0941 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −0.2132𝑉
5.490𝑘
10. 𝑉𝑎 = 3.005𝑘+5.490𝑘 ∗ 4.980
𝑉𝑎 = 3.2183𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 3.2183 − 3.3261
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = −0.1078𝑉

Calculation for balanced Wheatstone bridge

Equation of the ratio between resistors for a balanced bridge:
𝑅𝑥 𝑅1
=
𝑅3 𝑅2
𝑅𝑥 3.005k
1. = 0.981k
1.973k

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𝑅𝑥 = 6.0437𝑘Ω
𝑅𝑥 0.981k
2. = 3.005k
1.973k
𝑅𝑥 = 0.6441𝑘Ω
𝑅𝑥 1.973k
3. = 3.005k
0.981𝑘
𝑅𝑥 = 0.6441𝑘Ω
𝑅𝑥 3.005k
4. = 1.973k
0.981k
𝑅𝑥 = 1.4941𝑘Ω
𝑅𝑥 0.981k
5. = 3.005k
3.005k
𝑅𝑥 = 1.4941𝑘Ω

DISCUSSION
In an unbalanced Wheatstone bridge, Vab is not 0, it can be calculated with the above formula.
When Rx increases, Vab decreases in magnitude, approaching 0. This is to be expected as to balance
this bridge, Rx would need to be 6.044kΩ. The voltage of Vab does not change in polarity as it does
not exceed the resistance needed in Rx for the circuit to be a balanced bridge.
In a balanced Wheatstone Bridge, Vab is 0, it is to be measured to be 0 for all cases to confirm the
𝑅𝑥 𝑅1
bridge is balanced. This will show that the equation 𝑅3 = 𝑅2 holds true. The values calculated for
the potentiometer is close to the values measured to balance the bridge. Thus in an ideal
situation where errors does not exist, the calculated values can balance the Wheatstone bridge.
The calculated value and the measured value of both bridges have a difference due to systematic
error. These errors can be reduced furthermore by using more sensitive instruments to measure the
results. For instance, using a galvanometer to confirm a balanced bridge as a balanced bridge will
not have any current flowing through point a and b. The error is small, showing that the experiment
has good accuracy. The difference of error for each value are small, showing that the experiments
have good precision.

CONCLUSION
The results show validity to theoretical principle and demonstrated the Wheatstone bridge in its
respective state. In the unbalanced Wheatstone bridge, as one of its resistor’s resistance increases,
the voltage between the 2 arms of the Wheatstone bridge decreases in magnitude, it will reach 0
when the bridge is balanced. After that, the bridge will become unbalance again as the resistance
continues to increase, the voltage difference will change in polarity and increase in magnitude. In the
balanced Wheatstone bridge, the voltage defference is confirmed to be zero before taking
measurement. The measured value closely matches the calculated value, confirming the ratio of each
resistor. The balanced Wheatstone bridge showed the ability for precise resistant measurement,
being able to find the resistant of a resistor even if it is extremely small. The accuracy of each

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measurement to its respective calculation shows that the experiment’s results are valid and can be
used for future references.
Through this experiment, one will learn and validate the principle of the Wheatstone bridge. Being
able to find the needed resistance of a resistor needed if it is connected on a Wheatstone bridge and
be able to calculate for the voltage difference and resistance for this circuit. One will also be able to
connect Wheatstone bridge circuit practically, if necessary, outside of school life.

REFERENCES
Admin. (2023, April 19). Wheatstone Bridge - Working principle, formula, derivation, application.

https://byjus.com/physics/wheatstone-
bridge/#:~:text=1%2C027-,What%20is%20the%20Wheatstone%20Bridge%20Principle%3F,current%2
0flows%20through%20the%20galvanometer.

Sebastian, S. C. (2018, May 19). Wheatstone Bridge Circuit Theory and Principle.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wheatstone-bridge-circuit-theory-principle-salvador-leong-
brioso-jr

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APPENDIX

Figure 2: Raw results of the experiment

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