Intrumentation Unit LL (2.7)

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Unit 2 : Principle of Analog Instrumentation

1. Multimeter as a Micro Ammeter


A multimeter is a versatile instrument used for measuring various electrical parameters such as
voltage, current, and resistance. When configured to measure micro-amperes (µA), it becomes a
micro-ammeter. This mode allows the multimeter to measure very low currents, typically in the
range of microamperes (10^-6 Amperes).

A multimeter works as a micro ammeter by utilizing a shunt resistor and measuring the voltage
drop across it. Here's how it typically works:

1. Selection: First, you need to select the current measurement mode on the multimeter and
choose the appropriate range. Many multimeters have a dedicated microampere (μA)
range for measuring small currents.

2. Series Connection: To measure current in a circuit, the multimeter needs to be connected


in series with the circuit. This means that the current flows through the multimeter's
internal circuitry.

3. Shunt Resistor: Inside the multimeter, there is a low resistance resistor called a shunt
resistor connected in parallel with the meter's input terminals. This resistor is carefully
selected to have a known resistance value.

4. Voltage Measurement: As the current flows through the circuit, it also flows through the
shunt resistor. According to Ohm's law (V = IR), where V is voltage, I is current, and R is
resistance, there will be a voltage drop across the shunt resistor proportional to the
current passing through it.

5. Measurement: The multimeter measures the voltage drop across the shunt resistor using
its internal circuits. Since the resistance of the shunt resistor is known, and the voltage
drop is directly proportional to the current passing through it, the multimeter can
calculate the current value using Ohm's law (I = V/R).
6. Display: The multimeter displays the measured current value on its screen, usually in
microamperes (μA).

By measuring the voltage drop across the known shunt resistor, the multimeter effectively
measures the current flowing through the circuit without interrupting the circuit significantly.
This method allows the multimeter to function as a micro ammeter, accurately measuring very
small currents in the microampere range.

2. Multimeter as a DC Ammeter
A multimeter works as a DC ammeter by utilizing the principles of electrical measurement
and converting the current being measured into a proportional voltage that can be displayed on
the meter. Here's a basic explanation of how it works:

1. Shunt Resistor: In order to measure current, the multimeter typically has a low-resistance
shunt resistor connected in series with the circuit under test. This resistor allows a known
fraction of the current to pass through it.

2. Voltage Measurement: As the current flows through the shunt resistor, it creates a voltage
drop across it, according to Ohm's Law (V = I * R), where V is the voltage, I is the
current, and R is the resistance of the shunt resistor.

3. Voltage Conversion: The voltage drop across the shunt resistor is then measured by the
multimeter. Depending on the design of the multimeter, this voltage may be directly
measured using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in a digital multimeter (DMM), or
it may be further amplified and conditioned for display in an analog multimeter.

4. Display: The multimeter's display unit shows the measured voltage drop across the shunt
resistor. Since the shunt resistor's resistance is known, the multimeter can calculate the
current flowing through it using Ohm's Law rearranged as I = V / R, where I is the
current, V is the voltage drop across the shunt resistor, and R is the resistance of the shunt
resistor.
5. Calibration: To ensure accuracy, the multimeter needs to be calibrated properly, taking
into account the resistance of the shunt resistor and any other factors that may affect the
measurement.

In summary, a multimeter measures DC current by converting it into a voltage drop across a


known resistance (the shunt resistor) and then calculating the current based on this voltage using
Ohm's Law. This allows the multimeter to display the current flowing through the circuit being
tested.

3. Types of Voltmeter
➢ Differential Voltmeter: This type of voltmeter measures the potential difference between
two points in a circuit by comparing it with a known voltage. It typically employs an
operational amplifier (op-amp) circuit to amplify the voltage difference and provide a
readable output.

➢ True RMS Voltmeter: True RMS (Root Mean Square) voltmeters are capable of
accurately measuring the RMS value of a non-sinusoidal AC waveform. They are
essential for measuring AC signals that are not pure sine waves, such as those produced
by electronic equipment or power supplies. True RMS voltmeters use advanced signal
processing techniques to calculate the effective voltage of complex waveforms
accurately.

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