Bef 23903 - Chapter 3 - DC Bridge - Wheatstone Bridge

CHAPTER 3
DC Bridges
Wheatstone bridge
Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)
Introduction: Bridges
A bridges consists of a network of four resistance arms,

dc source applied to opposite junctions and a current
detector.
Bridges used for measuring component value such R, L
and C.
dc Bridge
ac Bridge
ac Bridge
2
Introduction: Bridges
The bridge circuit merely compares the value of an

unknown component with that of an accurately known
component (a standard), its measurement accuracy can
be very high.
The readout of this comparison is based on the null
indication at bridge balance, and is essentially
independent of the characteristics of the null detector.
The measurement accuracy is therefore directly related
to the accuracy of the bridge component and not to that
of the null indicator used.
Wheatstone Bridge
The basic dc bridge used for

precision measurement of medium
( 1 to 100 k ) resistance.
When SW1 is closed, current flows
and divides into the two arms at
point A, i.e. I1 and I2.
The bridge is balanced when there is no current through
the galvanometer, or when the potential difference at
points C and D is equal, i.e. the potential across the
galvanometer is zero.
Wheatstone Bridge
Wheatstone Bridge
Balanced condition:
When the current
through the
galvanometer is zero.
I1 R1 I 2 R2
I1 I 3
I2 I4
Unknown
Resistance
2
1
E
R1 R3
E
R2 R4
&
E R1
E R2
R1 R3 R2 R4
R1 ( R2 R4 ) R2 ( R1 R3 )
R1 R2 R1 R4 R1 R2 R2 R3
R4
R2 R3
R1
Unknown Resistance
6
Example 1
Find the unknown resistance (R4) if the bridge is in
balance with the following parameters:
R1 = 10k, R2 = 15k, R3 = 40k
Solution 1
From the equation for bridge balance we have

R1 R4 R2 R3
R4
R2 R 3 15kx40k
60k
R1
10k
Sensitivity of a Wheatstone Bridge
When the bridge is in an unbalanced condition, current

flows through the galvanometer, causing a deflection of
its pointer.
The amount of deflection is a function of the sensitivity of
the galvanometer.
Sensitivity can be thought of as deflection per unit
current. A more sensitive galvanometer deflects by a
greater amount for the same current.
Deflection may be expressed in linear or angular units of
measure, and sensitivity can be expressed as follows:
S = mm/A or degree/A or radians/A.

Sensitivity of a Wheatstone Bridge
Therefore, the total deflection D is
D = S x I,
where;
S is sensitivity (mm/A or degree/A or radians/A)
I is the current in microamperes.
10
Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge
To determine the amount of deflection that would results

for a particular degree of unbalance.(Use Thevenin's
theorem)
We have to know the amount of current through the
galvanometer.
Thevenin's equivalent voltage: determining the opencircuit voltage between terminals a and b.
11
Applying the voltage divider equation, determine

the voltage at point a and b :
Ea
R3 E
R1 R3
Eb
R4 E
R2 R4
Eth Ea Eb
R3 E
R4 E
Eth
R1 R3 R2 R4
12
Thevenin equivalent resistance; replace the voltage

source with its internal impedance or short circuit.
Calculate the equivalent resistance looking into
terminals a and b.
Rth
R1 R3
RR
2 4
R1 R3 R2 R4
Thevenins resistance
13

Thevenin Equivalent Circuit
Ig
Ig
Wheatstone Bridge
The deflection current in the galvanometer is given by
Eth
Ig
Rth Rg
The magnitude of current is limited by thevenins equivalent

resistance connected between a and b.
14
Example 2
An unbalanced an Wheatstone bridge is given as

follows:
E 6V
R1 1 k
R2 2.5 k
R3 3.5 k
R4 10 k
Rg 300
Determine the current through the galvanometer.
15
Solution 2
Step 1: Calculate the thevenin equivalent voltage ( Eth )
Eth Ea Eb Eb Ea
R4 E R3 E
Eth
R2 R4 R1 R3
10k 6
3.5k E
Eth
2.5k 10k 1k 3.5k

Eth 0.132 V
Step 2: Calculate the thevenin equivalent resistance ( Rth )

RR
RR
Rth 1 3 2 4
R1 R3 R2 R4
1k 3.5k 2.5k 10k
Rth
2.778 k
1k 3.5k 2.5k 10k
16
Solution 2
Step 3: Calculate the current through the galvanometer
Eth
0.132
Ig
42.88 A
Rth Rg 2.778k 0.3k
17
Application of Wheatstone Bridge

1. A Wheatstone bridge may be used to measure the dc
resistance of various types of wire, either for the purpose
of quality control of the wire itself, or of some assembly
in which it is used.
2. Example; resistance of motor windings, transformers,
solenoids and relay coils.
3. Used extensively by telephone companies and others to
locate cable faults. The fault may be two lines shorted
together, or a single line shorted to ground.
18
Limitations Wheatstone Bridge
For low resistance measurement, the resistance of the

leads and contacts becomes significant and introduces an
error. This can be eliminated by Kelvin's Double bridge.
For high resistance measurements, the resistance
presented by the bridge becomes so large that the
galvanometer is insensitive to imbalance. In the case of
high resistance measurements in mega ohms, the
Wheatstone bridge cannot be used.
Another difficulty in Wheatstone's bridge is the change
in resistance of the bridge arms due to the heating effect
of current through the resistance. The rise in
temperature causes a change in the value of the
resistance, and excessive current may cause a permanent
change in value.
19

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CHAPTER 3

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

A bridges consists of a network of four resistance arms,

The bridge circuit merely compares the value of an

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

The basic dc bridge used for

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

From the equation for bridge balance we have

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Sensitivity of a Wheatstone Bridge

When the bridge is in an unbalanced condition, current

S = mm/A or degree/A or radians/A.

Sensitivity of a Wheatstone Bridge

Therefore, the total deflection D is

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge

To determine the amount of deflection that would results

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge

Applying the voltage divider equation, determine

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge

Thevenin equivalent resistance; replace the voltage

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge

Thevenin Equivalent Circuit

The deflection current in the galvanometer is given by

The magnitude of current is limited by thevenins equivalent

An unbalanced an Wheatstone bridge is given as

Determine the current through the galvanometer.

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

2.5k 10k 1k 3.5k

Step 2: Calculate the thevenin equivalent resistance ( Rth )

Thevenin Equivalent Circuit

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Application of Wheatstone Bridge

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

Limitations Wheatstone Bridge

For low resistance measurement, the resistance of the

Electrical Measurements (BEF 23903)

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