History What is Ammeter • The name is a contraction of ‘ampere-meter’ • Is a current measuring device that is used for measuring the amount of current flowing through a circuit. • Connected in series . • Low resistance galvanometer How to Measure Current Effect ammeter on the circuit Measuring current in a simple circuit: -connect ammeter in series -any ammeter has some resistance r. -current in presence of ammeter is -current without the ammeter would be V I= . R
To minimize error, ammeter resistance r must be very small.
(ideal ammeter would have zero resistance) Types of Ammeter The Moving-Coil Ammeters • The D’Arsonval galvanometer is a moving coil ammeter. • It uses magnetic deflection, where current passing through a coin causes the coil to move in a magnetic field. • The modern form of this instrument was developed by Edward Weston. Electrodynamic Ammeters • An electrodynamic movement uses an electromagnet instead of the permanent magnet of the d’Arsonval movement. • Can respond to both alternating and direct current. • It also indicates true RMS for AC. Moving-Iron Ammeters • Use a piece of iron which moves when acted upon by the electromagnetic forced of a fixed coil of wire. • This type of meter responds to both direct and alternating currents. • Indicates the RMS value of any AC . • The main idea of this invention was from Clyde Garcia Hot Wire Ammeter • A current passes through a wire which expands as it heats. • Although these instruments have a slow response time and low accuracy, they were sometimes used in measuring radio-frequency current. • These also measure true RMS for an applied AC current Integrating Ammeters: • In these ammeters the current is summed over time, giving as a result the product of current and time ; which is proportional to the energy transferred with that current. • These can be used for energy meters or for estimating the charge of battery or capacitor. Pico Ammeter • Measures very low electrical current, usually form the Pico ampere range at lower end to the milliampere range at the upper end. • Used for sensitive measurements where the current being measured is below the theoretical limits of sensitivity of other device such as multimeters. Applications The ammeter can be used to measure both the DC and AC current
• This comes in all sizes and can be used anywhere to
measure the current like in electric heaters, cars, heavy and sensitive machinery, fridges etc. • They are also used in other electrical devices for measuring the range of current that enters them. Many companies manufacturing electrical devices extensively use ammeters to measure the current range and input output flow of current in their product. • Educational institutes also make use of ammeters in various laboratory experiments and to help students in the understanding of its functioning and working. • When buildings are being constructed and their electrical map is being implemented, ammeters are an essential component to check the input and output currents at various sites to assure safety and protection. D’Arsonval Meter Movement • Commonly used sensing mechanism used in DC ammeters, voltmeters and ohmmeters. • Is a DC moving coil-type movement in which an electromagnetic core is suspended between the poles of a permanent magnet. • A common variation of the D’Arsonval movement is the Weston Movement, which uses essentially the same principle built to a more rugged construction by employing a heavier winding in the electromagnet.