1 Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Licence Course Carl Thomson G3PEM Slide Set 21: v1.0, 27-Sept-2004 (10) Measurements-1 - Meters Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Course (10) Measurements Part-1 - Meters

2 Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Licence Course Carl Thomson G3PEM Slide Set 21: v1.0, 27-Sept-2004 (10) Measurements-1 - Meters Types of Movement & Constructional Details Meter movements for DC and AC measurements can be moving-coil, moving-iron, hot-wire and thermocouple. The latter are good for measuring RF amps. For DC and low frequency AC, we will only consider the moving coil type. For AC a diode rectifier is needed in the meter circuit The maximum movement possible is called Full Scale Deflection, FSD SN

3 Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Licence Course Carl Thomson G3PEM Slide Set 21: v1.0, 27-Sept-2004 (10) Measurements-1 - Meters Ammeter Example for 1 Amp FSD scale:- Calculate the voltage drop across the meter from V = I.R We get V = 1*10 -3 x 100 = 0.1 Volts. If 1mA flows through the meter then amps must flow through shunt. There is 0.1 volts across the shunt. As R = V / I, then the shunt is 0.1 / = Ohms. The basic meter movement is typically 1mA for FSD and has internal resistance of 100 ohms. Its range has to be extended to the required range by a Shunt Resistor, which be calculated by OHMS LAW. MeterInternal r Shunt R

4 Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Licence Course Carl Thomson G3PEM Slide Set 21: v1.0, 27-Sept-2004 (10) Measurements-1 - Meters Voltmeter To measure voltages consider the basic meter movement with typical 1mA FSD and internal resistance of 100 Ohms. This is extended to the required voltage range by a series resistor. Called a Multiplier Resistor. The volts drop across the meter is 0.1 Volts so to have a full scale of 1V it is required to drop ( ) Volts across the series resistor Apply OHMS LAW: R = V / I, with V = = 0.9 Volts and I = 1 mA Therefore the multiplier resistor is V / I = 0.9 /.001 = 900 Ohms. - and the meter is a total of 1000 Ohms input resistance Meter Internal r Multiplier Resistor

5 Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Licence Course Carl Thomson G3PEM Slide Set 21: v1.0, 27-Sept-2004 (10) Measurements-1 - Meters Ohmmeter To set for ZERO OHMS the two probe leads red and black are joined and the calibration R adjusted for FSD. Measuring a resistance introduces another series resistor into the circuit which reduces the current through the meter. Thus the scale can be calibrated in Ohms. Red Meter Internal r Calibration R + Black

6 Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Advanced Licence Course Carl Thomson G3PEM Slide Set 21: v1.0, 27-Sept-2004 (10) Measurements-1 - Meters Meter Loading The lower 470k is shunted by 1000 Ohms so the bottom pair becomes; 470k x 1000 Ohms / (470 k ) Ohms = The volts measured will be / x 1 = volts. Oops! Care must be taking when measuring voltages across large resistors. Use a high impedance digital voltmeter or a very high ohms per volt analogue voltmeter. NB: DVMs may be >10MOhm impedance Potential Divider opposite should have a voltage at the midpoint of 0.5 Volts Total resistance of the meter is 1000 Ohms; 100 Ohms internal resistance plus 900 Ohms multiplier resistance. 470K 1V Internal Resistance & Multiplier