HEM ELECTRONIQUES, C-46, M.I.D.

C, MIRAJ -416410 STUDY OF MAXWELLS BRIDGE: The Maxwells bridge is widely used for inductance measurement in the range 1H to 1000H. The important feature of this system is the unknown inductance is measured in terms of a known capacitance. The use of standard arm offers the advantage of compactness & easy shielding. The capacitor is almost lossless component. One arm has a resistance R1 in parallel with C1 & hence it is easier to write the balanced equation using admittance of one arm instead of impedance. The general equation for the bridge is,

Fig no.1 Maxwells Bridge Z1Zx = Z2Z3 Zx = Z2Z3 = Z2Z3Y1 Z1 When Z1=R1 // C1 i.e. Y1 = 1 + jC1 R1 Z2=R2, Z3=R3 Zx=Rx+jLx Equating real terms & imaginary terms we get, Rx = R2R3 Lx = C3R2R3 R1 Q = Lx = C1R1 Rx The Maxwells Bridge is limited to use of measurement of low Q value (1 to 10). The measurement is independent of excitation frequency. In Maxwells Bridge usually fixed capacitor has the disadvantage that there is an interaction between the resistance & reactance balances. This bridge is particularly suited for inductance measurement, since comparison with capacitance is more ideal than with another inductance.

Study of Maxwells Bridge/1

HEM ELECTRONIQUES, C-46, M.I.D.C, MIRAJ -416410 Description the Set-up: The Set-up is laid out on a neatly labeled polycarbonate panel mounted on MS powder coated box with all necessary connections. The Maxwells bridge is excited by 1v AC 1000 Hz supply with provision for connection of an external source also if required. There is an internally built up Wien bridge oscillator operating at 1 KHz approx. with adjustable o/p amplitude. The adjustement effected with the help of pot P1 (Excitation Adj.) The following are details of the component ranges, C1 is controlled by rotary switch Sw3 & can be measured in four values 0.01, 0.1 & 0.5 mfd all with 1 % precision. R1 is in terms of a ten turn 10K pot where as R3 is another ten turn 10K pot. R2 is required to be connected externally typically in the range 1K to 0.33K typically 0.33K (330 ohms) is used very often. In order to get better balance for both real & imaginary components, amplifier gain is made selectable with the help of SW2, which is a push button. When push button is pressed the gain increases almost 10 times to further facilitate better balance by adjusting pot R1 & R3 carefully. Generally switch Sw2 is pressed only when good balance is initially obtained by adjustment of C1, R1 & R3. The unknown inductance is required to be connected to terminals marked as LxRx branch. The Null indicator is provided with the help of an RMS volts indication using a high i/p impedance op-amp & is having a resolution of 0.01 volts AC. It is internally connected to Bridge output. When Sw2 is not pressed the DPM indicates RMS AC voltage with resolution of 0.01 volts. By removing R2 & inductive branch, you may connect patch cords between oscillator o/p terminals & Null Balance o/p terminals. To read the AC Excitations impressed across the bridge directly in RMS volts. Operating Instructions: 1) Keep C1 at 0.1 or 0.5 mfd position. 2) Keep R1 & R3 at approximately mid position. R2 may be connected with value of 1K or 0.33 K. preferred value is 0.33K. 3) Now connect the unknown inductance across the LxRx terminals. 4) Keep Sw1 in downward position selecting internally bridge excitation of 1 volt RMS 1000 Hz. 5) Now start operating either C1 & R3 so that you can get better & better balance. You may note that as R1 is involved in both Rx & Cx expressions, the balanced condition for imaginary part & real part is interactive. So to get improved balance, you have to operate R1, R3 one after the other, when you get good possible balance. Once you approach a good balance (i.e. 0.03 or 0.05 volts) then you may press Sw2 and adjust R1& R3 in proper sequence to get best possible balance. 6) You may note down the value of C1, R1, R2 & R3 and use the formula, Lx=C1R2R3 (henry) & Rx= R2R3 ohms R1

Study of Maxwells Bridge/2

HEM ELECTRONIQUES, C-46, M.I.D.C, MIRAJ -416410 Precautions: 1) Operate pot R1&R3 (which are ten turn) carefully. Note that R1 is ten turn 10K & R3 is ten turn 10K pot. So that if range for R1 =1.5 * 1K =1.5K, if R3=2.1 the value of R3=2.1 * 1K = 2.1K. Balance must be obtained slowly & carefully with good patience. 2) Do not short internal 9 volt excitation. 3) You may also use external AC supply. 4) Press switch Sw2 only after getting good balance.

Study of Maxwells Bridge/3

HEM ELECTRONIQUES, C-46, M.I.D.C, MIRAJ -416410 The Maxwell Bridge is provided with three no of inductances. 1) Inductance with Toroidal core which is light in weight, good in magnetic properties, with low leakage inductance. 2) Ordinary iron core inductance with different tapings. This is heavy & has leakage inductance also. 3) Air core inductance which can be estimated by calculation. It can be varied by introducing iron core in the core of the coil. Sample calculations Sr no 1 2 3 C1 mfd R2 R3 Lx =C1R3R2 Kohm Kohm Lx standard R1 or known mH Kohm

For item No.3 above ,calculation is indicated below. Inductance L = 4 *10-7 * N2 * A ----------------------l (length)

Where N = No of turns ,A = Area in square meters and l = length in meters.. For this air core coil we have N = 2600 , A = 0.000415 square meters because diameter D = 2.3 centimeters . We get L 4 *10-7 * 2600 *2600 *0.0000451 = ---------------------------------------------0.052 = 67 miliHenry If you insert some iron rod or M.S. bolt inside the air core , you can change the inductance value and measure it also. Note: You have to change R3 and R1 carefully in succession in order to get good balance. The balance may not be always equal to zero. When you approach good balance , you can press the push button and get better balance under high gain position of the amplifier.

Study of Maxwells Bridge/4