EXPERIMENT NO.

02

TITLE Study of LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer)

Signal Conditioning Ckt.

Practical Setup

Display

LVDT

Micrometer

How LVDT works? Basic concept of linear variable differential transformer

LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer) is a passive transducer. It measures force in terms of displacement of ferromagnetic core of a transformer. It is based on the principle of magnetic induction. It consists of a primary winding and two secondary windings, which are placed on both sides of the core. The two secondaries (Sec1 & Sec2) have equal number of turns but they are connected in series opposition. Due to this connection, the e.m.f. induced in one coil opposes the e.m.f. induced in second coil and thus we get the difference of voltages at the output of LVDT.

LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer)

Simple Construction of LVDT

case:-I When this core is in the middle, the induced e.m.f. in both the secondaries are equal and thus their difference at the output is zero.

case:-II When the core is on left side, more magnetic flux of primary links to sec-1 than sec-2. So induced e.m.f. in sec-1 is greater than sec-2. Thus, magnitude of output voltage is equal to their difference and it is in phase with the voltage of sec-1.
case:-III When the core is on right side, more magnetic flux links to sec-2 than sec-1. So induced e.m.f. in sec-2 is greater than sec-1. Thus, magnitude of output voltage is equal to their difference and it is in phase with the voltage of sec-2.

Wide range of displacement from m to cm.

Frictionless and electrical isolation. High output. High sensitivity [sensitivity is expressed in mV (output voltage)/ mm (input core

displacement)].

Advantages

It is sensitive to external stray magnetic fields. When its temperature increases, its performance drops. It requires constant ac voltage; otherwise its output voltage is not linear. Limitations of LVDT