AC Meters

continued

Warm-ups

Outlines
dArsonval MM with Full Wave

Rectification.
Electro-Dynamometer Movement
Iron-vane meter movement.
Loading effects of AC Voltmeters.

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Frequently, Rectification.
it is more desirable to use a

full-wave rectifier in AC voltmeters because

it shows higher sensitivity rating compared
to wave rectifier.
The most frequently used circuit for fullwave rectification is the bridge-type rectifier,
as shown in next figure.

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Rectification.

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Rectification.

Figure 2: Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier used in an AC voltmeter

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Rectification.

Positive cycle

Current flows from Vin trough D2, trough the MM

from positive to negative, then trough D3.

Negative cycle
Current flows from Vin trough D4, trough the MM
from positive to negative, then trough D1.

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Even thoughRectification.
the polarity of Vin changes in

every cycle, the direction of current that

flows through MM does not change.
Since current flows through MM on both
cycles, then the deflection of MM will be
greater compared to wave rectification.

Example 01.

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Rectification.

For the circuit below, if given

that Vin = 10Vrms, Rs= 10k
and Ifs = 1mA. Calculate:
a) Vp
b) Vave
c) Sac
d) Sdc

Example 02:

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Rectification.

By using the same circuit,

with Vin = 10Vrms,
Rm=500 and Ifs = 1mA,
calculate:
a) Sdc
b) Sac
c) Rs

Example 03

dArsonval MM with
Full Wave
Rectification.

For the circuit below, given that Vin = 10Vrms, Rm=500, Ifs = 1mA,
Rsh=500, average forward resistance of 50 and infinite reverse
resistance of each diode, calculate the following:
a) the multiplier, Rs
b) the ac sensitivity, Sac
c) the dc sensitivity Sdc.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
It is one of the most fundamental meters
that is widely used today.
It is a current sensitive device: similar to
the DArsonval MM, which uses essentially
the same principle of movement.
Remember that the DArsonval movement
is a DC device and can only measure DC
current or AC current rectified to DC.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
The Electrodynamometer movement has
the same basic operating principle as
the DArsonval meter movement, except
that the permanent magnet is replaced by
fixed coils.
The moving coil and pointer, which are
attached to the coil, are suspended
between and connected in series with the
two field coils.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
The two field coils and moving coil are
connected in series such that the same
current flows through each coil.
Current flow through the three coils in either
direction causes a magnetic field to be
produced between the field coils.
The same current flow through the
moving coil causes it to act as a
magnet exerting a force against the spring.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
If the current is reversed, the field polarity and the
polarity of the moving coil reverse, and the force
continues in the same direction.
Due to this characteristic of the Electrodynamometer movement, it can be used in
both AC and DC systems to measure current.
Some voltmeters and ammeters use the
electrodynamometer.
However, its most important use is in the
wattmeter.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
The basic EDMM is capable of handling
much more current than a dArsonval could
handle.
However, it has much less Sensitivity rating
compared to dArsonval MM, which ranges
about 20/V up to only 100/V.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
Example 04
An EDMM that has a full scale deflection
current rating of 10mA is to be used in a
voltmeter circuit. Calculate the value of the
multiplier for a 10-V range if Rm = 50.

The ElectroDynamometer
Movement
Example 05
An EDMM with a full scale deflection rating
of 10mA is to be used as a 1-mA ammeter.
If the resistance of the moving coil is 40,
what is the value of the shunt resistor, Rsh?

Loading Effects
of AC Voltmeters
As already being discussed, the sensitivity
of AC Voltmeters, using either wave or
Full wave rectification, is always less than
the sensitivity of the DC Voltmeters.
Therefore, the loading effect of an AC
Voltmeter is always greater than that
of a DC Voltmeter.

Loading Effects
of AC Voltmeters
Example 06
a)

b)

Determine the reading obtained with a

DC voltmeter at RB when the switch
is set at point A.
Determine the reading at the
same RB using wave and
Full wave rectifier AC meter
respectively when the switch
is set at point B.
Given that Ifs = 100-A and
set at 10-V dc or rms range.

Conclusions

Summary

Q&A