Linear variable Differential Transformer (L.V.D.T.

)
INTRODUCTION: -
One of the most useful variable inductance transducer is the differential transformer,
which provides an a.c. voltage output proportional to the displacement of core passing
through the windings. It is a mutual inductance device making use of three coils
arranged generally on a single cylindrical concentric nonmagnetic form. The centre
coil is energised from an external power source and the two end coils connected in
series opposition to each other, are used as pick up coils. Output amplitude and phase
depend on the relative coupling between the two pick up coils and the primary coil.
Relative coupling in them is dependent on the position of the core. Theoretically there
should be core position for which, the voltage induced in each of the pickup coil or
secondaries will be of the same magnitude and resulting output should be zero,
because of series opposition connection.(refer fig 1 & 1(a) )

Within limits on the either side of the position (null), core displacement results in a
proportional output. While the output voltage magnitudes are ideally same for equal
core displacement on either side of null balance ,the phase relation existing between
power source and output changes by 180 degrees through null. It is therefore possible
through phase sensitive detector to distinguish between outputs resulting from
displacements on each side of null.
L.V.D.T. is a very widely used transducer for conversion of mechanical displacement
into proportional electrical voltage and the range extends from few microns to few
tens of inches. It is free from temp. effects.

▪ Circuit operation:( refer fig. No. 4)

The primary winding of L.V.D.T. is excited by means of 1 to 4KHZ power source. The
Wien bridge oscillator circuit placed on separate p.c.b. generates a stable a.c.
excitation of 4KHZ. The output from the signal generator card is given to the input of
power amplifier formed by a pair of complimentary power transistors namely 2N5294
and 2N6107 mounted on heatsink. In order to get almost sinusoidal output and to avoid
loading effect , there is an over all negative feedback loop used between power
amplifier and the oscillator circuit.The power amplifier in turn provides excitation to the
primary winding of L.V.D.T.The preset PR1 is used to adjust the waveform of the signal
and the preset PR2 is used to control the amplitude of the excitation source provided
to primary of the LVDT.

The output from secondaries is amplified by means of an op amp 741(IC No D) .The

pot marked “MAX” on the front panel controls the value of the feedback resistance and
in turn gain of the amplifier. A separate op -amp 318 (IC No.B) converts the excitation
signal into square waves which serve to provide reference signal for phase sensitive
detection. A field effect transistor 2N3819 or equivalent acts as an analog switch and
a phase detected output is generated. The output from the first stage of amplification
(IC No. D) is passed through an all pass network (consisting of IC No. C) which
facilitate proper phase adjustment with the help of preset PR1. The output from this all
pass filter is given to the phase sensitive detector circuit. The PR1 is factory adjusted.
When output of secondary and reference signal are in phase d.c. output of say,
positive polarity is generated and vice versa. The magnitude of d.c. output is also
proportional to the amount of displacement of the core. Thus both direction and
magnitude of core displacement are detected. Finally the output of PSD is passed
through a voltage follower stage (IC No.A) before providing input to the DPM. The
functioning of phase sensitive detector is better understood by observing the
waveforms provided along with the circuit diagram.

▪ Operating instructions:
1. Connect the terminals marked “PRIMARY” on the front panel of the instrument to
the terminals marked “PRIMARY” on the transducer itself , with the help of the
flexible wires provided along with. Observe the colour code for the wires provided
and the colour of the binding posts.
2. Identically establish connections from terminals marked “SECONDARY”. Observe
the colour code for the wires provided and the colour of the binding posts.
3. Keep pot marked “MAX” in most anticlockwise position.
4. The magnetic core may be displaced and the pointer may be brought to zero
position. If the DPM is not indicating zero, use potentiometer marked “MIN” to get
a zero on DPM at zero mechanical position. If the core is displaced in both
directions, the meter must show indications with appropriate polarity. Now displace
the core to 19 mm positions in one of the directions .Adjust the “MAX” pot to get an
indication of 19.00 on the DPM under these condition. Now the set up is ready for
experimentation. You may again check for zero position also.
5. Now the core can be displaced by a known amount in the range of +19 and -19
mm and the meter readings can be entered in the table given below. It may noted
that by inter changing the secondary terminals or the primary, the polarity of the
meter indication can be reversed for a given direction of input displacement.
6. Plot the graph of input displacement and the output indication on the X and Y axis
respectively.

Sr.No. Input displacement output indication

1. 0.00 mm
2. 1.00 mm
3. 2.00 mm

Maximum displacement 10 mm/20mm/25 mm as per the model.

Observation of waveforms:
1. When C.R.O. is connected between terminal and ground , one can observe the
waveform
11. of amplified
10.00 mm secondary or pick up coil voltage(TP-1).Between terminal 2
 and ground observe the waveform of phase sensitive detector (half sinusoidal TP-
2).
2. Between terminal 3 and ground observe the square waveform of reference signal
used for phase sensitive detection (TP- 3).
3. Across the primary terminals , waveform for excitation voltage can be observed.

THE STUDENT MAY NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

a) Study the linearity of input and output displacements.
b) Note the effects of interchanging the secondary connections on the meter output
polarity.
c) Note that when the core is mechanically at zero position, a small electrical output
is obtained due to imperfections of the transducer.

Precautions:
1 While connecting lead wire from panel to transducer, make proper
connections following colour code.Avoid shorting of the excitation source
terminals.
2 Move the core with a gentle fashion by operating the knob for core movement
very carefully.Do not try to effect the core movement beyond 10 mm/20
mm/25 mm as per the given range.

-------------------------------------------- ######-------------------------------------------------
FIG NO 1
FIG NO 2
Typical test Results---- by Hem electroniques Miraj

Measured Indicated Measured Indicated

Displacement in Displacement in Displacement in Displacement in
millimeter
millimeter millimeter millimeter

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2.00 1.88 -2.00 -2.05

5.00 5.02 -5.00 -5.19

8.00 8.01 -8.00 -8.30

10.00 9.87 -10.00 -10.19

13.00 12.82 -13.00 -13.25

15.00 14.86 -15.00 -15.28

18.00 17.93 -18.00 -18.25

20.00 19.91 -20.00 -19.99

NOTE:- These are only typical readings.It is not necessary that all these values will be
repeated always.
 LVDT (Range +/- 20 mm)

25

20

15

10
Indicated Displacement in mm

0
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25
Measured Displacement in mm

GENERAL INFO AND SPECS FOR LVDT: (LINEAR VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL

TRANSFORMER):(+/- 20MM)
Primary of this LVDT is formed by winding 30 S.W.G. super enameled copper
wire on a PVC former 3/4” outer diameter and ½” inner diameter over a total
length of 22.5 cms. Two secondaries are connected in series opposition and
wound on the 1/3 outer section from each side, by 30 S.W.G. wire only. The
primary coil resistance is 7.5 ohm and each secondary winding is 2.5 ohms. The
primary of LVDT is excited by means of a.c. voltge with 0.65 volts RMS at around
4KHz. The moving core is M.S. with diameter of 0.5 inches and length of 6”.

The linear range of LVDT is +/- 20 mm with 2% accuracy.

The LVDT is provided with ordinary scale of + /- 20 mm for mechanical
measurement of input displacement.

S2 P1 S1

¾ inch(OD) 1/2inch (ID)

30 cm
Movable core M.S.
P = Primary over entire range.
S1 &S2 :Secondaries.

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LINEAR VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSDUCER
(LVDT)