Ammeter

By: Leslie R. Conge BSECE-V

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.