Nirmal Singh.
Last Activity: 11 Years ago
Galvanometer is an electromechanical instrument which is used for the
detection of electric currents through electric circuits. Being a
sensitive instrument, Galvanometer can not be used for the
measurement of heavy currents. However we can measure very small
currents by using galvanometer but the primary purpose of
galvanometer is the detection of electric current not the measurement of
current.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Galvanometer works on the principle of conversion of electrical
energy into mechanical energy. When a current flows in a magnetic
field it experiences a magnetic torque. If it is free to rotate under a
controlling torque, it rotates through an angle proportional to the
current flowing through it.
ESSENTIAL PARTS OF GALVANOMETER
There are five essential parts of a Galvanometer.
1. A U-shaped permanent magnet with concave poles.
2. Flat rectangular coil of thin enameled insulated wire ‘C’.
3. A soft iron cylinder 'B'.
4. A pointer or needle.
5. A scale.
CONSTRUCTION
The flat rectangular coil of thin enameled insulated wire of
suitable number of turns wound on a light nonmetallic or aluminum
frame is suspended between the cylindrically concave poles of magnet by a
thin phosphor bronze strip. One end of the wire of the coil is
soldered to strip. The other end of the strip fixed to the frame of
the galvanometer and connected to an external terminal. It serves as one
leas current lead through which the current enters or leaves the
coil. The other end of the wire of the coil is soldered to a loose
and soft spiral of wire connected to another external terminal. The soft
spiral of a wire serves as the other current lead. A soft-iron
cylinder, coaxial with the pole pieces, is placed within the frame
of the coil and is fixed to the body of the galvanometer. In the space
between it and the pole pieces, where the coil moves freely, the
soft iron cylinder makes the magnetic field stronger and radial such
that into whatever position the coil rotates, the magnetic field is
always parallel to its plane.
WORKING
When a current passes through the galvanometer coil, it experiences a
magnetic deflecting torque, which tends to rotate it from its rest
position. As the coil rotates it produces a twist in the suspension
strip. The twist in the strip produces an electric restoring torque. The
coil rotates until the elastic restoring torque due to the strip
does not equal and cancels the deflecting magnetic torque, then it
attains equilibrium and stops rotating any furthers.
Thanks & Regards.
Nirmal Singh
Askiitians Faculty