EEE2004 - Measurement and

Instrumentation
Module 3 – DC Bridges
 Module 3 – DC Bridges
• Design of deflection bridges
• Wheatstone bridge
• Kelvin bridge
• Kelvin double bridge
• Their merits and demerits
 Bridge
• If the electrical components are arranged in
the form a bridge or ring structure, then that
electrical circuit is called as a bridge.
• In general, bridge forms a loop with a set of
four arms or branches.
• Each branch may contain one or two electrical
components.
 Types of Bridges
• Classification : two categories :
– based on the voltage signal with which those can
be operated.
• DC Bridges
• AC Bridges
 Difference Between AC & DC Bridge
• AC bridge is used for measuring the unknown
impedance of the circuit
• DC bridge is used for measuring the unknown
resistance of the circuit.
 Comparison Chart
Basis for
AC Bridge DC Bridge
Comparison
Definition used for measuring measures unknown
unknown impedance resistance of the
circuit.
Supply AC supply is used DC supply is used
Current Detector AC Detector DC Detector
Components Resistive and Reactive Resistive

Wagner’s Earthing Required Not required

Device
Types Two Seven
Balancing Time Relatively Less High
 Definition of AC Bridge
• Consists source, balanced detector, and the four
arms.
• Arms consist of impedance.
• AC bridge is constructed by replacing the battery
with the DC source in a DC bridge and
galvanometer with the wheat stone bridge.
• Used for detecting the inductance, capacitance,
storage factor, dissipation factor etc.
AC Bridge
 DC bridge
• Used for measuring unknown electrical
resistance.
• It is done by balancing the two legs of the
bridge circuit.
• The value of one of the arm is known while
the other of them is unknown.
DC Bridge
 Key Differences Between AC and DC
Bridge
• DC bridge is used for measuring the unknown
resistance of the circuit.
• AC bridge uses the AC supply. The DC bridge DC
supply for measuring the resistance.
• In AC bridge the current is detected by using the
AC detector. While in DC bridge the current is
detected by using the DC detector.
• The resistive and reactive components are used
in the AC bridge circuit while in DC circuit, only
resistive components are used.
 DC Bridge - Wheatstone Bridge
• Used to measure minimum resistance
• Value of unknown resistance is determined
by comparing it with a known resistance.
• Works on the principle of null deflection
• When the ratio of resistances are equal, no
current flows through galvanometer.
• Very reliable and gives accurate result.
 Key Differences Between AC and DC
Bridge
• AC bridge uses Wagner earth device for removing earth
capacitance from the circuit.
• Wagner earth device also reduces harmonics and the errors
which occurs due to stray magnetic field.
• Wagner earthing device is not used in DC bridges.
• AC bridges take less time to attain balance condition while
DC bridge takes comparatively more time
• Wheatstone Bridge and Kelvin bridge are the types of the
DC bridge.
• AC bridges are classified into seven types. These are
capacitance comparison bridge, inductance comparison
bridge, Maxwell’s bridge, Hay’s bridge, Anderson
Bridge, Schering bridge, Wein bridge.
 Wheatstone Bridge - Working
• When bridge is in unbalanced
condition, current flow through galvanometer.
• When no current passes through the
galvanometer, then the bridge is in balanced
condition.
• This can be done by adjusting the known
resistance P, Q and the variable resistance S.
 Wheatstone bridge - working
• Working is similar to potentiometer.
• Used for determining the medium resistance.
• For measuring the high resistance, a sensitive
ammeter is used in the circuit.
 Construction of Wheatstone Bridge
• Has four arms
• Consist of two known
resistance, one variable
resistance and one
unknown resistance
• Has an emf source and
galvanometer.
 Construction of Wheatstone Bridge
• Battery is connected between point a and c
• Galvanometer is connected between point b
and d.
• Current through galvanometer
depends on the potential
difference across it.
 Working of Galvanometer
• The bridge is in balance condition when no
current flows through the galvanometer
• This condition occurs when the potential
difference across the a to b and a to d are
equal, and the potential differences across the
b to c and c to d remain same.
 Working of Galvanometer
• Current entering into the galvanometer
divides into I1 and I2, and their magnitude
remains same.
• When the current through the galvanometer
is zero and is represented as

• Bridge in a balanced condition

Is expressed as

Where E – emf of the battery.

 Working of Galvanometer

Equation (2) shows the balance condition of the Wheatstone bridge.

The value of unknown resistance is determined by the help of the
equation (3).
The R is the unknown resistance, and S is the standard arm of the
bridge and the P and Q are the ratio arm of the bridge.
 Causes of Errors in Wheatstone
Bridge
• Difference between the actual and the marked
value of resistances can cause the error in
measurement.
• Lesser sensitivity of galvanometer can cause
inaccuracy.
• Resistance of the bridge changes due to self-
heating which generates an error.
• Thermal emf cause serious trouble in the
measurement of low-value resistance.
• Personnel error while taking the reading or
finding the null point.
 Errors in Wheatstone Bridge
• Errors can be reduced by using best quality
resistor and galvanometer.
• Errors due to self-heating of resistance can be
minimized by measuring the resistance within
a short time.
• Errors due to thermal effect can be reduced by
connecting a reversing switch between the
battery and the bridge.
Limitation of Wheat Stone Bridge
• Gives inaccurate readings if it is unbalanced.
• Measures resistance from few Ω to mega Ω.
• Upper range of the bridge can be increased
with the help of the applied emf, and the
lower range is limited by connecting the lead
at the binding post.
Sensitivity of the Wheatstone Bridge
• Wheatstone bridge is more sensitive when all
their resistances are equal, or their ratio is
unity.
• Sensitivity decreases when their ratio is less
than unity.
• Reduction in sensitivity reduces the accuracy
of the bridge.
 Kelvin Bridge
• It is the modified form of the Wheatstone
Bridge.
• Also known as Thompson bridge
• Used for measuring the unknown resistances
having a value less than 1Ω.
 Necessity of Kelvin Bridge
• Wheatstone bridge is used for measuring
resistance from a few ohms to several kilo-
ohms.
• But error occurs in the result when it is used
for measuring very low resistance.
• Therefore, Wheatstone bridge is modified and
the Kelvin bridge is obtained.
• Kelvin bridge is suitable for measuring very
low resistances.
 Disadvantage of Wheatstone Bridge
In Wheatstone Bridge, while measuring low
resistances, the resistance of their leads and
contacts increases the resistance of the actual
resistance that is to be measured.
Kelvin’s Bridge
 Principle of Kelvin’s Bridge
• r is resistance of the contacts that connect
the unknown resistance R to the standard
resistance S.
• The ‘m’ and ‘n’ show the range between which
the galvanometer is connected for obtaining a
null point.
• When the galvanometer is connected ‘m’, the
lead resistance r is added to the standard
resistance S.
• Thereby the very low indication obtains for
unknown resistance R.
• If the galvanometer is connected to point n
then the r adds to the R, and hence the high
value of unknown resistance is obtained.
• Thus, at point n and m either very high or very
low value of unknown resistance is obtained.
 Kelvin’s Bridge
• So, instead of connecting the
galvanometer from point, m and n we
chose any intermediate point say d
where the resistance of lead r is divided
into two equal parts, i.e., r1 and r2

• Presence of r1 causes no error in the

measurement of unknown resistance.
 Kelvin’s Bridge
• From equation (1), we • The equation shows that if
get galvanometer is connected at d,
the resistance of lead will not
affect the results.
• But it is not possible to
implement.
• For obtaining the desired result,
the actual resistance of exact
ratio is connected between the
point m and n and the
galvanometer is connected at the
junction of the resistor.
 Kelvin Double Bridge
• The ratio of the arms p
and q are used to
connect the
galvanometer at the right
place between the point j
and k.
• This reduces the effect of
connecting lead.
• P and Q is the ratio of
the first arm
• p and q is the second
arm ratio.
 Kelvin Double Bridge
• Galvanometer is connected between
arms p and q at a point d.
• Point d is at the center of the resistance
r between the point m and n.
• This for removing the effect of
connecting lead resistance which is
placed between the unknown resistance
R and standard resistance S.
• The ratio of p/q is made equal to the
P/Q.
• Under balanced condition, zero current
flows through the galvanometer.
• The potential difference between the
point a and b is equivalent to the voltage
drop between the points Eamd.
 Working Equations of Kelvin Bridge
Now,

For zero galvanometer deflection,

As P/Q = p/q, then

 Kelvin Double Bridge
• The above equation is
the working equations
of the Kelvin’s bridge.
• The equation shows
that the result obtained
from Kelvin double
bridge is free from the
impact of connecting
lead resistance.
 Limitations of Kelvin’s Bridge
• Sensitive galvanometer is used for detecting
the balance condition.
• High current measurement is required for
obtaining good sensitivity.
• Nowadays, Kelvin’s bridge is replaced by Kelvin
Bridge Ohmmeter.