Measuring Instruments: By: Sajid Hussain Qazi

MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
By: Sajid Hussain Qazi

MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
“The device used for comparing the unknown quantity
with the unit of measurement or standard quantity
is called a Measuring Instrument.”
OR
“An instrument may be defined as a machine or
system which is designed to maintain functional
relationship between prescribed properties of
physical variables & could include means of
communication to human observer.”
CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUMENTS
Electrical instruments may be divided into two categories,
that are;
1. Absolute instruments,
2. Secondary instruments.
- Absolute instruments gives the quantity to be
measured in term of instrument constant & its
deflection.
- In Secondary instruments the deflection gives the
magnitude of electrical quantity to be measured
directly. These instruments are required to be
calibrated by comparing with another standard
instrument before putting into use.
Electrical measuring instruments may also be classified
according to the kind of quantity, kind of current,
principle of operation of moving system.
CLASSIFICATION OF SECONDARY INSTRUMENTS

• Secondary instruments can be classified into three
types;
i. Indicating instruments;
ii. Recording instruments;
iii. Integrating instruments.
- Indicating Instruments:
It indicate the magnitude of an electrical
quantity at the time when it is being measured. The
indications are given by a pointer moving over a
graduated dial.
- Recording Instruments:
The instruments which keep a continuous
record of the variations of the magnitude of an
electrical quantity to be observed over a defined period
of time.
- Integrating Instruments:
The instruments which measure the total
amount of either quantity of electricity or electrical
energy supplied over a period of time. For example
energy meters.
ESSENTIALS OF INDICATING INSTRUMENTS
A defined above, indicating instruments are those which

indicate the value of quantity that is being measured at
the time at which it is measured. Such instruments
consist essentially of a pointer which moves over a
calibrated scale & which is attached to a moving
system pivoted in bearing. The moving system is
subjected to the following three torques:
1. A deflecting ( or operating) torque;
2. A controlling ( or restoring) torque;
3. A damping torque.
DEFLECTING TORQUE
- The deflecting torque is produced by making one of

the magnetic, heating, chemical, electrostatic and
electromagnetic induction effect of current or voltage
and cause the moving system of the instrument to
move from its zero position.
- The method of producing this torque depends upon
the type of instrument.
CONTROLLING TORQUE
- The magnitude of the moving system would be some

what indefinite under the influence of deflecting
torque, unless the controlling torque existed to oppose
the deflecting torque.
- It increases with increase in deflection of moving
system.
- Under the influence of controlling torque the pointer
will return to its zero position on removing the source
producing the deflecting torque.
- Without controlling torque the pointer will swing at its
maximum position & will not return to zero after
removing the source.
- Controlling torque is produced either by spring or
gravity control.
Spring Control:
• When the pointer is deflected
one spring unwinds itself while
the other is twisted. This twist in
the spring produces restoring
(controlling) torque, which is
proportional to the angle of
deflection of the moving systems.
Spring Control
Gravity Control
• In gravity controlled instruments, a small adjustable

weight is attached to the spindle of the moving system
such that the deflecting torque produced by the instrument
has to act against the action of gravity.
• Thus a controlling torque is obtained. This weight is called
the control weight. Another adjustable weight is also
attached is the moving system for zero adjustment and
balancing purpose. This weight is called Balance weight.
DAMPING TORQUE
• We have already seen that the moving system of the

instrument will tend to move under the action of the
deflecting torque.
• But on account of the control torque, it will try to occupy
a position of rest when the two torques are equal and
opposite.
• However, due to inertia of the moving system, the
pointer will not come to rest immediately but oscillate
about its final deflected position as shown in figure and
takes appreciable time to come to steady state.
• To overcome this difficulty a damping torque is to be
developed by using a damping device attached to the
moving system.
DAMPING TORQUE
• The damping torque is proportional to the speed of

rotation of the moving system, that is
• Depending upon the degree of damping introduced in

the moving system, the instrument may have any one of
the following conditions as depicted in above graph.
DAMPING TORQUE
1. Under damped condition:

The response is oscillatory
2. Over damped condition:
The response is sluggish and it rises very slowly from
its zero position to final position.
3. Critically damped condition:
When the response settles quickly without any
oscillation, the system is said to be critically damped.
The damping torque is produced by the following methods:

1.Air Friction Damping 2.Fluid Friction Damping
3.Eddy Current Damping 4.Electromagnetic
Damping
TYPES OF AMMETERS & VOLTMETERS
1) Moving Iron Type Meters (AC & DC);

a) Attraction type,
b) Repulsion type.
2) Moving Coil Type Meters (AC & DC);

a) Permanent Magnet type,
b) Electrodynamic or Dynamometer.
3) Hot Wire Type (AC & DC);
4) Induction Type (AC & DC);

a) Split phase,
b) Shaded Pole type.
5) Electrostatic Type for Voltmeters Only;

Moving-iron instrument
• An attraction type of moving-iron instrument

is shown diagrammatically in Figure. When
current flows in the solenoid, a pivoted soft-
iron disc is attracted towards the solenoid and
the movement causes a pointer to move across
a scale.
• In the repulsion type moving-iron instrument

shown diagrammatically in Figure, two pieces
of iron are placed inside the solenoid, one
being fixed, and the other attached to the
spindle carrying the pointer.
Moving-iron instrument
Moving-Coil instrument
• There are two types of moving coil instruments
namely, permanent magnet moving coil type
which can only be used for direct current,
voltage measurements.
• The dynamometer type which can be used on
either direct or alternating current, voltage
measurements.
PERMANENT MAGNET MOVING COIL
“The principle operation

of PMMC is based
upon the principle
of current carrying
conductor is placed
in a magnetic field it
is acted upon by force
which tends to move
it.”
DYNAMOMETER
• This instrument is suitable for the measurement of direct
and alternating current, voltage and power.
• The deflecting torque in dynamometer is relies by the
interaction of magnetic field produced by a pair of fixed
air cored coils and a third air cored coil capable of
angular movement and suspended within the fixed coil.
DYNAMOMETER
HOT WIRE TYPE
• It is based on the heating effect of current.
• It consist of platinum-iridium (it can withstand
oxidation at high temperatures) wire.
• When current is through wire, it expands
according to I2R formula.
• This produces sag in the wire and pointer is
attached with this wire which in result deflects.
INDUCTION TYPE INSTRUMENT
• Such instruments are suitable for ac measurements only in
these instruments the deflecting torque is produced by the
eddy currents induced in an aluminum or copper disc or
drum by the flux created by an electro-magnet.
• The main advantages of such instruments are that

(i) a full scale deflection can be obtained giving long and
open scale
(ii) the effect of stray magnetic field is small;
(iii) damping is easier and effective.
• These instruments have got some serious disadvantages
(i) The greater deflection causes more stresses in the control
springs.
(ii) Variation in supply frequency and temperature may
cause serious errors unless compensating device is
employed.
(iii) These instruments are costlier and consume more
power
• Such instruments are mostly used as watt-meters or

energy meters.
• Induction type wattmeter consists of two laminate
electromagnets known as shunt electromagnet and
series electromagnet respectively.
• Shunt magnet is excited by the current proportional to
the voltage across load flowing through the pressure
coil and series magnet is excited by the load current
flowing through the current coil.
• A thin disc made of Cu or Al, pivoted at its centre, is
placed between the shunt and series magnets so that it
cuts the flux from both of the magnets.
• The deflection torque is produced by interaction of
eddy current induced in the disc and the inducing flux
in order to cause the resultant flux in shunt magnet to
lag in phase by exactly 90° behind the applied voltage.
• One or more copper rings, known as copper shading
bond are provided on one limb at the shunt magnet.
• Correct disappointed between shunt and series magnet
fluxes may be attained by adjusting the position of
copper shading bonds.
The pressure coil circuit of induction type instrument
is made as inductive as possible so that the flux of the
shunt magnet may lag by 90° behind the applied
voltage.

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MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

By: Sajid Hussain Qazi

CLASSIFICATION OF SECONDARY INSTRUMENTS

A defined above, indicating instruments are those which

- The deflecting torque is produced by making one of

- The magnitude of the moving system would be some

• In gravity controlled instruments, a small adjustable

• We have already seen that the moving system of the

• The damping torque is proportional to the speed of

• Depending upon the degree of damping introduced in

1. Under damped condition:

The damping torque is produced by the following methods:

1) Moving Iron Type Meters (AC & DC);

2) Moving Coil Type Meters (AC & DC);

3) Hot Wire Type (AC & DC);

4) Induction Type (AC & DC);

5) Electrostatic Type for Voltmeters Only;

• An attraction type of moving-iron instrument

• In the repulsion type moving-iron instrument

“The principle operation

• The main advantages of such instruments are that

• Such instruments are mostly used as watt-meters or

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