UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN

Mechatronics Engineering Department

Measurements & Control Lab. 0908448
Experiment no.1
Measuring Resistance Using the Voltmeter-Ammeter Method
Prepare by: Dr. Lutfi Al-Sharif

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experiment is to familiarize the student with the method of
measuring resistance using the voltmeter-ammeter method and to allow him/her to
appreciate the errors involved in the two different cases of measurement.

EQUIPMENT and PARTS LIST:

1- Decade resistance boxes (3 boxes, 2 boxes of high values; 1 box of low values).
2- Two galvanometers (one to be used as a voltmeter, one to be used as an
ammeter).
3- Power supply.
4- Connecting leads.

PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENTS:
The lab preparation and assignments must be completed before
coming to the lab. Show it to your instructor for checking at the
beginning of the lab.

Pre1. Read this lab handout completely, and do all the problems indicated.

Pre 2. Read Chapter 15 (Resistance Measurement) from the online measurements material,
especially the voltmeter-ammeter method and how to convert a galvanometer into an
ammeter or voltmeter. Visit:

http://fetweb.ju.edu.jo/staff/Mechatronics/LShareef/MandI.htm

and open Chapter 15: Resistance Measurement.

Pre3. Revise the method of converting a galvanometer (PMMC) into an ammeter.

Pre 4. Revise the method of converting a galvanometer (PMMC) into a voltmeter and how to
calculate the suitable resistor.

Pre5. Revise the error involved in using case I and case II when measuring the resistance
verify your results.

Background
The voltmeter Ammeter method relies on using a voltage source to pass a current into the
unknown resistor and then measuring the current flowing through the resistor and the voltage
across it. By dividing the voltage across the resistor by the current flowing through it, the
value of the resistance can be derived.

Case I and case II

There are two possible arrangements: Case I and case II. In case I the voltmeter is placed
directly in parallel with the unknown resistor while in case II the ammeter is placed directly in
series with the unknown resistor.
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Note that case I and case II are each suitable for certain values of unknown resistors. During
your work in this experiment, you have to show which method is suitable for high values of
resistance and which method is suitable for low values of resistance.

Decade Resistance Boxes (DRB)

One of the decade resistance boxes will be used to represent the unknown resistance to be
measured. This decade resistance box (DRB) will be referred to as DRBX.

Remember that the galvanometers (PMMC: permanent magnet moving coils) that you have
been provided with are not suitable to directly be used as voltmeters or ammeters. They need
to be converted to a higher scale instruments by the use of shunt resistor (for the ammeter)
and by the use of a series resistor (for the voltmeter). In order to do this you will need to use
the decade resistance boxes (DRB) provided. One of those DRBs will be used to convert
one galvanometer (the one marked with a V) into a voltmeter with a higher voltage range.
This DRB will be referred to as DRBV. The other DRB will be used to convert the
galvanometer (the one marked with an I) into an ammeter with a higher current range. This
DRB will be referred to as DRBA.

Galvanometer Specifications
You will need to know the galvanometer specifications, in order to increase their full scale
deflections (FSD). There are shown below.

Galvanometer to be used as an Ammeter: Full scale deflection (FSD) 0-1 mA, internal
resistance: 75 ohms.

Galvanometer to be used as a voltmeter: Full scale deflection: 0-100 micro-A,

Internal resistance: 1300 ohms.

PROCEDURE

Case I Practical

1- For each value of Rx, find the expected value of current that will flow (assuming a
voltage source of 10 V) by dividing 10 V by the value of Rx.

2- Based on the value of current expected to flow, calculate the required value of the
DRB to convert the ammeter to the suitable full scale deflection (FSD).

3- Set the DRBX to the value of Rx.

4- Calculate the required value of DRBV to a value suitable for a FSD of voltage of 10
V.
5- Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1 below. Remember that the voltmeter
shown might include DRBV in series. Also remember that the ammeter shown
might include DRBA in parallel.

6- Carry out the measurements required and fill in Table 1.

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Important note: Remember that the internal resistance of the voltmeter or ammeter
will depend on the value of the series or shunt resistor used, not only on RV and RA.
For the voltmeter, its internal resistance will be the series combination of RV and
DRBV. For the ammeter, its internal resistance will be the parallel combination of RA
and DRBA.

Table 1: Results for Case I measurements. DRB A=, DRB V=

Rx (k) 5 10 50 100 500 1000
Expected ia (mA)
Measured ia (mA)
Measured voltage across resistance
(V)
Calculated value of Rx (Rx)
Measured value of Rx (Rx)
Calculated percentage error (e%)
Measured percentage error (e%)

Case II Practical

1- For each value of Rx, find the expected value of current that will flow (assuming a
voltage source of 10 V) by dividing 10 V by the value of Rx.

2- Based on the value of current expected to flow, calculate the required value of the
DRB to convert the ammeter to the suitable full scale deflection (FSD).

3- Set the DRBX to the value of Rx.

4- Calculate the required value of DRBV to a value suitable for a FSD of voltage of 10
V.
5- Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 2 below. Remember that the voltmeter
shown might include DRBV in series. Also remember that the ammeter shown
might include DRBA in parallel.

6- Carry out the measurements required and fill in Table 2.

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Important note: Remember that the internal resistance of the voltmeter or ammeter
will depend on the value of the series or shunt resistor used, not only on RV and RA.
For the voltmeter, its internal resistance will be the series combination of RV and
DRBV. For the ammeter, its internal resistance will be the parallel combination of RA
and DRBA.

Table 2: Results for Case II measurements. DRB A=, DRB V=

Rx (k) 5 10 50 100 500 1000
Expected ia (mA)
Measured ia (mA)
Measured voltage across resistance
(V)
Calculated value of Rx (Rx)
Measured value of Rx (Rx)
Calculated percentage error (e%)
Measured percentage error (e%)

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Results and Discussion
In writing your report, you need to address the following questions:

1. What are the values of the series and shunt resistances that you needed to use to
convert the ammeter and voltmeter to the required new scales? Show all your
calculations.

2. Plot the percentage error (e%) versus Rx for Cases I and II. Repeat this for calculated
percentage error and measured percentage error.

3. Derive the expression for the error (e%) for both Cases I and II.

4. Discuss the effects of RV and RA on measuring voltages and currents.

5. When will use each of the configurations (i.e., Case I or Case II)?

6. What do you do if you do not have any idea regarding the value of Rx?

7. What is the minimum possible full scale deflection (FSD) of the current galvanometer?
What is the maximum possible (FSD)?

8. Repeat the same analysis as in 7 above for the voltmeter galvanometer?

9. What is the voltmeter sensitivity of both galvanometers above in V-1? In order to

understand this question you might need to refer to Chapter of the measurement
material at:

http://fetweb.ju.edu.jo/staff/Mechatronics/LShareef/MandI.htm

and open Chapter 13: Voltage Measurement.

10. Can the voltage galvanometer be used as an ammeter? Explain.

11. Can the current galvanometer be used as a voltmeter? Explain.

12. While you were changing the value of Rx in Case I and II above, did you notice that the
voltmeter reading was changing? Explain.

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