EMI: UNIT – III

Potentiometer

1. Construction and Working of basic dc Potentiometer

With switch 'S' in the "operate" position and the galvanometer key K open, the battery
supplies the "working current" through the rheostat R and the slide wire. The working current
through the slide wire may be varied by changing the rheostat setting. The method of measuring
the unknown voltage, E, depends upon finding a position for the sliding contact such the
galvanometer shows zero deflection, i.e., indicates a null condition, when the galvanometer key,
K. is closed. Zero galvanometer deflection or a null means that the unknown voltage, E, is equal
to the voltage drop E1, across portion ac of the slide wire. Thus, the determination of the value of
unknown voltage now becomes a matter of evaluating the voltage drop E1 along the portion ac
of the slide wire.

The slide wire has a uniform cross-section and hence uniform resistance along its entire
length. A calibrated scale in cm and fractions of cm is placed along the slide wire so that the
sliding contact can be placed accurately at any desired position along the slide wire. Since the
resistance of slide wire is known accurately, the voltage drop along the slide wire can be
controlled by adjusting the value of working current. The process of adjusting the working
current so as to match the voltage drop across a portion of sliding wire against a standard
reference source is known as "Standardization".

2. Standardization of the potentiometer:

The procedure for standardization of the potentiometer is illustrated by the following
example:

The slide wire present in above figure has a total length of 200 cm and a resistance of 200
Ω. The emf of the standard cell is 1.0186 V. Switch 'S' is thrown to "calibrate" position and the
sliding contact is placed at 101.86 cm mark on the slide wire scale. The rheostat Rh is now
adjusted so as to vary the working current. This adjustment is carried on till the galvanometer
shows no deflection when key 'K' is pressed. Under these conditions, the voltage drop, along the
101.86 cm portion of the slide wire is equal to standard cell voltage of 101.86 V. Since the
101.86 cm portion of the slide wire has a resistance of 101.86 Ω, the working current, in fact, has
been adjusted to a value

(1.0186/101.86) x 1000 =10 mA

The voltage at any point along the slide wire is proportional to the length of slide wire.
This voltage is obtained by converting the calibrated length into the corresponding voltage,
simply by placing the decimal point in the proper position e.g. 153.6 cm =1.536 V. If
the potentiometer has been calibrated once, its working current is never changed.

3. Crompton’s DC Potentiometer:
A basic slide wire potentiometer was first modified by scientist R.E.crompton to a general form
known as Crompton’s D.C potentiometer as shown in figure.

This potentiometer consists of a graduated slide wire AC which is connected in series with
large number of coils. The coils are selected such that a resistance of each coil is equal to the
resistance of slide wire. Instead of one sliding contact used in basic slide wire potentiometer, two
sliding contacts P1 and P2 are used here. The first sliding contact slides over the slide wire while
the second one P2 over the studs of the resistance coils.
 DC Crompton potentiometer

The battery B is sufficient capacity to provide working current and it is connected in series
with regulating resistance. The regulating resistance is realized by series connection of two
variable resistances R1 and R2 where R1 consists of number of resistance coils while R2 in the
form of slide wire.

A galvanometer G and switch K are connected in series between points P 1 and P2 through
multiple circuit switch (or) change over switch .the main advantage of the multiple circuit switch
is that we can connect a standard cell S between terminals S+ and S- or the batteries whose
e.m.f.s are to be measured between the terminals 1+ and 1- or 2+ and 2- .the terminals are
marked with positive (+) and (-) signs so as to avoid damage to the potentiometer due to the
wrong polarity of battery connected.

First the potentiometer is standardized by using a standard cell S, say standard cell e.m.f. of
1.0186V as shown in figure. The multiple circuit switch is thrown of the terminals S + and S-

The sliding contacts P1 and P2 are set at 0.0186 along the slide wire and 1.0 on the stud
respectively. The switch K is closed and the null deflection in the galvanometer is obtained by
varying R1 and R2. Here R1 is used for coarse adjustment while R2 used for fine adjustment .once
the potentiometer is standardized, resistance R1 and R2 are left undisturbed .Now the
potentiometer is direct reading potentiometer.

Now connect a battery whose e.m.f is to be measured between terminals 1 + and 1- with the
polarities indicated by the terminals and change over the multiple circuit switch to the terminals
1+ and 1-. By adjusting terminals P1 and P2, the potentiometer can be again balanced which gives
the reading of e.m.f of battery under measurement directly. For example in the above fig if P1 is
at 0.05 and P2 is at 1.1 then the e.m.f of the battery is 1.15
Applications of DC Potentiometer:
1. Calibration of Ammeter
2. Calibration of voltmeter
3. Measurement of Power
4. Measurement of Resistance
5. Calibration of Wattmeter

The calibration is the process of checking the accuracy of the result by comparing it with the
standard value. In other words, calibration checks the correctness of the instrument by comparing
it with the reference standard. It helps us in determining the error occurs in the reading and
adjusts the voltages for getting the ideal reading.

Calibration of Voltmeter

The circuit for the calibration of the voltmeter is shown in the figure below.

The circuit requires two rheostats, one for controlling the voltage and another for adjustment.
The voltage ratio box is used to step-down the voltage to a suitable value. The accurate value of
the voltmeter is determined by measuring the value of the voltage to the maximum possible
range of the potentiometer.

The potentiometer measures the maximum possible value of voltages. The negative and positive
error occurs in the readings of the voltmeter if the readings of the

Potentiometer and the voltmeter are not equal.

Calibration of Ammeter

The figure below shows the circuit for the calibration of the ammeter.
The standard resistance is connected in series with the ammeter which is to be calibrated. The
potentiometer is used for measuring the voltage across the standard resistor.

The above mention formula determines the current through the standard resistance.

Where,
Vs – voltage across the standard resistor as indicated by the potentiometer.
S – resistance of standard resistor

This method of calibration of the ammeter is very accurate because in this method the value of
standard resistance and the voltage across the potentiometer is exactly known by the instrument.

Calibration of Wattmeter

The figure below shows the circuit used for calibrating the Wattmeter.

The standard resistance is connected in series with the Wattmeter which is to be calibrated. The
low voltage supply is given to the current coil of the Wattmeter. The rheostat is connected in
series with the coil for adjusting the value of current.

The potential circuit is supplied from the supply. The volt-ratio box is used to step-down the
voltage so that the potentiometer can easily read the voltage. The actual value of the actual value
of voltage and current is measured by using a double pole double throw switch. The accurate
value VI and the value of Wattmeter are compared.

Measurement of Resistance using Potentiometer

The DC potentiometer method of measurement of resistance is used for measuring the unknown
resistance of low value. This can be done by comparing the unknown resistance with the
standard resistance. The voltage drop across the known and unknown resistance is measured and
by comparison the value of known resistance is determined.

Let understand this with the help of the circuit diagram. The R is the unknown resistance whose
value is needed to be measured. The S is the standard resistance from which the value of
unknown resistance is compared. The rheostat is used for controlling the magnitude of current
into the circuit.
 Let understand this with the help of the circuit diagram. The R is the unknown resistance
whose value is needed to be measured. The S is the standard resistance from which the value of
unknown resistance is compared. The rheostat is used for controlling the magnitude of current
into the circuit.

The double pole double throw switch is used in the circuit. The switch, when moves to position
1, 1 the unknown resistance connects to the circuit, and when it moves to position 2, 2 the
standard resistance connects to the circuit.

Consider that when the switch is in position 1,1’ the voltage drop across the unknown resistance
is Vr

………(1)

and when it is in 2, 2’ the voltage drop across the resistance is V s

………(2)

On equating the equation (1) and (2), we get

The accuracy of unknown resistance depends on the value of standard resistance.

The accuracy of the unknown resistance also depends on the magnitude of the current at the time
of the readings. If the magnitude of current remains same, the circuit gives the accurate result.
The ammeter is used in the circuit for determining the magnitude of current passing through
resistor during the reading.

Measurement of power using Potentiometer:

The circuit for measurement of power with a potentiometer is shown in the above figure .two
measurements are made, one across the standard resistance, S connected in series with the load
and other at the output terminals of the volt-ratio box.

The current in the circuit can be computed from the voltage drop across the standard resistance
and the voltage across the load can be computed from the potentiometer reading across the
output terminals of volt-ratio box.
 Let

Vs= reading of potentiometer when connected across S

Vr= = reading of potentiometer when connected across voltage –ratio box.

. .. Current through the load, I= VS/S

Voltage across the load V= K VR

Where K = multiplying factor of volt-ratio box.

Power consumed =VI= K VR= k (VR VS)/S

A.C POTENTIOMETERS:

Ac potentiometers two types 1. Dry dale –Tinsley polar type A.C potentiometer

2. Gall-Tinsley co-ordinate type A.C potentiometer

1.Dry dale –Tinsley polar type A.C potentiometer:

Being a polar type, drys dale –Tinsley a.c potentiometer measures unknown e.m.f Inters of its
magnitude and phase angle. It consists of a basic dc potentiometer along with some auxiliary
components such as, drysdale phase shifter and electrodynamometer type ammeter.
Construction: drysdale phase shifter is also called phase shifting transformer .it consisting of a
ring shaped laminated steel stator .this sector is wound with either a two phase or three phase
winding .inside it there is a laminated rotor keeping some air-gap between it and stator. The rotor
consists of a winding provided in the slot which supplies voltage to slide wire circuit of
potentiometer. The connection of drysdale phase shifter with the circuit is shown in above figure.

When current flows through stator winding , a rotating field is produced inducing e.m.f in the
rotor .the phase of rotor current can be changed through any angle relative to stator supply
voltage by rotating rotor .thus the change in the phase of secondary e.m.f is equal to the angle
through which rotor is moved from its original zero position. It is very important to arrange
windings such that even though the magnitude of e.m.f induced in rotor is changed, phase
remains unchanged .thus we can directly read the phase angle with the help of scale fixed on top
of the instrument

The variable capacitor and resistor shown in the circuit diagram are so adjusted that exact
quadrature component between the two stator winding currents is obtained.

An electrodynamometer type ammeter is used to measure ac as well as dc currents during

standardization of an ac potentiometer.

Standardization of drysdale ac potentiometer:

In standardization of ac potentiometer, both dc as well as ac standardizations are done .the dc

standardization is done first by replacing vibrating galvanometer by d”arsonval galvanometer. a
standard cell such as Weston cell is used for dc standardization. Then by adjusting sliding
contacts null deflection in galvanometer is achieved .the reading of a precision ammeter included
in battery supply is noted. During ac standardization again vibrating galvanometer is used. The
ammeter is still included in the supply circuit but now this circuit is without standard cell. By
properly adjusting resistance in the circuit, the rms value of current in slide wire is made same as
that of dc current noted in dc standardization.

2. Gall-Tinsley co-ordinate type A.C potentiometer:

This potentiometer consists of two separate potentiometer enclosed in same common case.
The circuit diagram of gall-Tinsley co-ordinate potentiometer is as shown.

The in phase and quadrature potentiometer consists of sliding contacts BB 1 and CC1
respectively. The rheostats R and R1 are also provided in the respective potentiometers for
adjustments of current. By using different arrangement, the supplies for the potentiometer are
obtained.
A vibration galvanometer VG is turned to the supply frequency and it is connected in series with
a switch K and electro dynamometer type ammeter.

S1 and S2 are the sign changing switches which are necessary for reversing direction of unknown
e.m.f. the unknown voltage is introduced using selector switch S3 which is having 4 pair of
terminals.

The transformers T1 and T2 are step down transformer and they supply about 6 to 8 volts to
potentiometer s.By using variable resistor and variable capacitor, the supply for T2 is obtained
.by adjusting R and C, quadrature is obtained.

Standardization of Gall-Tinsley A.C potentiometer

First of all dc standardization of potentiometer is done by using standard cell and D”

arsonvanval type galvanometer .then without disturbing this setting, a.c standardization is done
by adjusting slide wire current to give zero deflection. Then previous galvanometer is replaced
by vibration galvanometer and also direct current supply is replaced by a.c supply. Then the
rheostat is adjusted till the current in the quadrature potentiometer wire is same as that in phase
potentiometer magnitudewise.also these two currents must be exactly in quadrature.

Applications of A.C potentiometer:

1. Calibration of voltmeter

2. Calibration of ammeter

3. Testing of energy meter and wattmeter

4. Measurement of self reactance of the coil