ARYA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND

MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT: ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT
CODE: 4EE3A
BRANCH: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

PREPARED BY
UMESH DHAKAD
  3.1 Potentiometers
ELECTRICAL 

3.1.1 Principle of potentiometer
3.2 D.C potentiometer
MEASUREMENT  3.2.1 Types of D.C potentiometer
 3.2.1.1 Slide wire potentiometer
 3.2.1.2 Crompton potentiometer
 3.2.2 Application of D.C potentiometer
UNIT 3 :  3.3 A.C potentiometer
 3.3.1Standarization of A.C potentiometer
Potentiometers: Construction,  3.3.2 Types of A.C potentiometer
operation and standardization of  3.3.2.1 Polar type
DC  3.3.2.2 Co-ordinate type
Potentiometers–slide wire &  3.3.3 Application of A.C potentiometer
Crompton potentiometers.  3.3.4 Advantages of A.C potentiometer
Use of potentiometer for
measurement of resistance and
voltmeter and ammeter
calibrations. Volt ratio boxes.
Construction, operation and
standardization of AC
potentiometer– in-phase and
quadrature potentiometers.
Applications of AC potentiometers.
3.1 Potentiometers

Introduction:-
A potentiometer is a direct measuring instrument which is designed to measure
an unknown electromotive force (emfs) by comparing it with a known voltage or known emf.
The unknown emf may also have potential difference (P.D.) or voltage produced by the flow of a
known current in the circuit, The known voltage may be supplied from a standard cell or any
other reference voltage source.
A potentiometer uses balance or null condition during the measurement of an unknown emf .
So, here it should be noted that in potentiometer the measurement in done at zero deflection
in galvanometer. Thus actually no current flows in the circuit of the unknown emf during the
measurement process and hence the power consumption in such circuit is also zero. The
potentiometer are capable of a high degree of accuracy because the measurement result does
not depend on the actual deflection of a pointer but only depends on the accuracy with which
the refrence voltage is known.
The potentiometers can also be used for the measurement of unknown current by measuring
the voltage drop across the standard resistor due to the unknown current.
3.1.1 Principle of potentiometer

This is a very basic instrument used for comparing emf two cells
and for calibrating ammeter, voltmeter and watt-meter. The basic
working principle of potentiometer is very very simple.
Suppose we have connected two battery in head to head and tale
to tale through a galvanometer. That means the positive
terminals of both battery are connected together and negative
terminals are also connected together through a galvanometer as
shown in the figure below.
Here in the figure it is clear that if the voltage of both battery cells is exactly equal, there
will be no circulating electric current in the circuit and hence the galvanometer shows
null deflection. The working principle of potentiometer depends upon this phenomenon.
Now let's think about another circuit, where a battery is connected across a resistor via a
switch and a rheostat as shown in the figure below, there will be a voltage drop across the
resistor. As there is a voltage drop across the resistor, this portion of the circuit can be
considered as a voltage source for other external circuits. That means anything connected
across the resistor will get voltage. If the resistor has uniform cross section throughout its
length, the electrical resistance per unit length of the resistor is also uniform throughout
its length. Hence, voltage drop per unit length of the resistor is also uniform. Suppose the
electric current through the resistor is i A and resistance per unit length of the resistor is r
Ω. Then the voltage appears per unit length across the resistor would be 'ir' ans say it is v
volt.
Now, positive terminal of a standard cell is connected to point A on the sliding resistor
and negative terminal of the same is connected with a galvanometer. Other end of the
galvanometer is in contact with the resistor via a sliding contact as shown in the figure
above. By adjusting this sliding end, a point like B is found where, there is no electric
current through the galvanometer, hence no deflection of galvanometer. That means emf
of the standard cell is just balanced by the voltage drop appears across AB. Now if the
distance between point A and B is L, then it can be written emf of standard cell E = Lv
volt. As v (voltage drop per unit length of the sliding resistor) is known and L is measured
from the scale attached to the resistor the value of E i.e. emf of standard cell can also be
calculated from the above simple equation very easily.
3.2 D.C potentiometer

The d.c. potentiometer is an accurate and verratile

instrument which is used for the measurement of current
voltage and resistance and calibration of ammeter
voltmeter and wattmeter.
In d.c. potentiometers only the magnitude of the unknown
emf is made equal to potentiometer voltage drop to obtain
balance condition.
3.2.1 Types of D.C potentiometer
3.2.1.1 Slide wire potentiometer
Construction:-
It consists a slide wire AB usually made of platinum silver alloy
and the sliding contact of a copper-gold-silver alloy. Which results
in a good contact minimum wear of slide wire and free from
thermo-electric emfs.
The slide wire has a uniform cross section which gives uniform
resistance alonge its entire length.
The constant emf source (battery) E1 supplies the working steady
current which may be adjusted by changing the rheostat
setting(Rh).
The unknown source emf E2 whose voltage is to be measured is
connected in parallel with the slide wire (AB). A galvanometer G is
also connected in series with E2 along with switch S.
Working:-

 The working of slide wire potentiometer is

based on principle that the potential drop (V)
across any two points of slide wire is directly
proportional to its length (l). Or we can say
that
 V=xl
 Where x is the voltage drop across per unit
length of slide wire.
 Now when switch S is open:
 Then the working current I will flow through
the whole slide wire AB. So, the potential
drop across the slide wire will be given as
 Vab=xL………………(i)
When switch S is closed:
Then a current will flow through the galvanometer in
direction A to C.
To obtain the balance condition the point C is so chosen by
the help of jockey (J) that the both emfs E1 and E2 are made
equal and no current flows through the galvanometer.
The the potential drop across the slide wire AC will be given
as Vab=xl…………..(ii)
Now dividing eq. (i) by eq. (ii)
 Vab/Vac=xL/xl
Or Vab/Vac=L/l
So unknown emf. Will be given as
 Vac=Vab*l/L
Standardization:-
As the resistance of slide wire is known accurately then the
voltage drop along the slide wire can also be controlled by
adjusting the working current. Thus, the process of adjusting
the working current so as to match the voltage across a
portion of sliding wire against a standard reference source is
known as standarization of the potentiometer.

Standarization is must before using a potentiometer.

It unbalance potentiometer has a direct measuring instrument.
Generally a western cadmium cell is used as a reference
source which have an emf of 1.0186v. The total length of slide
wire is 200 cm and the resistance of the slide wire is 200 ohm.
Which the switch S is through to calibrate a position and the
sliding contact or jocky is placed at 101.86 cm mark on the
slide wire scale.
The rheostate Rh is now adjusted untill the
galvanometer shown no deflection. This arrangement
will give the working current.
Under these conditions the voltage drop along the 101.86
cm portionof the slide wire is equal to the standard
cell voltage.
3.2.1.2 Crompton potentiometer
Construction : It consist one dial switch with 15 steps
and each step have precision resistor of 10 ohm .Thus
the dial switch has a total resistance of 150 ohm.
In addition to dial switch it also consist circular slide
wire which has resistance of 10 ohm.
 The working current of potentiometer is 10 m amp.
So each step of dial switch refers a voltage drop of 0.1 v
and hence the dial switch may be used for a voltage
range up to 15 v.
Similarly the slide wire has a voltage range upto 0.1 v
Since the slide wire is provided with 200 scale divisions
so the voltage drop across each scale will be given as
0.1/200 = 0.0005v.
Hence we measured the approximate reading upto
0.0001 v easily.
It also consist a double through switch which enable the
connection the either the standard cell or the
unknown emf whose voltage to be measured.
In initial condition a protective resistance about 10 k
ohm is used in the galvanometer circuit and near
balance condition at maximum sensitivity of
galvanometer the protective resistance is short
circuited.
WORKING: The working of potentiometer can be defined
in following two sections.
(a) Standarization or calibration
(b) Measurement operation.

(a) Standarization or calibration: Before using the

potentiometer it should be standarize by a standard cell
which makes it a direct measuring instrument .
For standarization generally we use a western cell of 1.086 v.
for which the double through switch S is throw to the
calibrate position and the dial resistance is put at 1.0 v with
0.0186v setting of the slide wire. Hence the combination of
dial switch and slide wire is set to the standard cell voltage.
The rheostat is adjusted to obtain zero deflection in the
galvanometer. In initial condition the protective resistance is kept
for safety purpose of the equipment. However, near the balance
condition the protective resistance is shorted fore maximum
sensitivity of the galvanometer.
(b) Measurement Operation
After standardization the double throw switch S is thrown to the
operate position and hence the unknown emf is connected into
the potentiometer circuit.
Now again the potentiometer is balanced by adjustment of dial and
slide wire but rheostat setting should be remain unchanged. The
value of unknown emf is read directly from setting of dial and slide
wire.
The standarization is again checked after the completion of
measurement. If it is not satisfactory then the unknown emf is
measured again and the standardization is again rechecked.
3.2.2 Application of D.C potentiometer

 As we have discussed that the D.C. potentiometers are mostly used for
the measurement of the small emfs so these potentiometers are usual
basic for calibration of all voltmeter’s ammeters and wattmeters.
 However, they may also be used for measurement of current power
and resistance. Since here we are using d.c. potentiometer the
instruments to be calibrated must be either d.c. moving iron or
electrodynamometer types.
 (i) Measurement of small unknown emfs
 It is possible to measure measure the small unknown emfs upto 1.6v
with a high accuracy as we may read a small voltage of 0.01 µv
accurately.
(ii) Measurement of Resistance
The Potentiometer method of resistance measurement is suitable for measurement of low resistances. In this figure the unknown resistance R is
connected in series with a standard resistor S. A rheostate is used to control the current through the circuit.
A rheostat is used to control the current through the circuit. A double pole double throw switch is used.
When the switch is at position 1, 1’ the unknown resistance R will
be connected to the potentiometer circuit.
Let we assume that the reading of the potentiometer is Vr in this
position
 Vr=IR
 or I=Vr/R……………..(i)
Now when the switch is thrown top[osition 2,2’ the standard
resistance S will be connected to the potentiometer circuit.
In this position let the reading of the potentiometer is Vs.
 Vs=IS
Or I=Vs/S……………..(ii)
From eq. (i) and (ii)
Vr/R=Vs/S
So the unknown resistance R, will be given as:
 R=Vr*S/Vs
(iii)Calibration of voltmeter
The most requirement to this calibration process is that a
suitable stable d.c. voltage supply most be available to ensure a
corresponding change in the voltmeter calibration as per
change in the supply voltage.
In this figure a potential divider network is used which
consists of two rheostats, one for coarse and the other for fine
control of calibrating voltage. These rheostats are connected
to the supply source and with the help of these controls we can
adjust the voltage such that the pointer coincides exactly with
a major division of the voltmeter.
The voltage across the potentiometer has maximum range of
1.6V, to achieve high accuracy we will have to use of low voltage
range of 1.6v, to achieve high accuracy we will have to use of
low voltage range for voltage less than 1.6v and use appropriate
tapings on volt-ratio box for voltage higher than 1.6v.
(iv) Calibration of Ammeter
A standard resistance S of suitable value which have sufficient capacity
is placed in series with the ammeter under calibration. The voltage
across the standard resistance is measured by the help of the
potentiometer and the current through the standard resistance is
computed by the help of the potentiometer and the current through
the standard resistance is computed by the ammeter:
As current I=Vs/S
Where Vs= voltage across the standard resistance as indicated by the
potentiometer
S=resistance of the standard resistor.
Since the resistance of the standard resistor is accurately known and the
voltage across the standard resistor in measured by a potentiometer,
this calibration method of an ammeter is highly accurate. We may also
draw a calibration curve which indicates the errors various scale
reading of the ammeter.
3.3 A.C potentiometer
 Since the D.C. potentiometer is an accurate and versatile instrument
for the measurement of direct voltages and currents so, it is obvious
that potentiometer principle should also be appliedfor the
measurement of alternative voltages and currents.
 The principle of a.c. potentiometer is the same as that of the d./c.
potentiometer. The most important difference between a d.c. and a.c.
potentiometer is that in d.c. potentiometer only the unknown emfs is
balanced against a known potentiometer voltage dropn wheres in case
of a.c. potentiometer the two voltages are balanced in magnitude as
well as in phase.
 Hence, by certain modifications and additional features incorporated
in d.c. potentiometer it may also be used for measurement of a.c.
quantities.
Since an a.c. potentiometer is a complication features incorporation