ECE132L – INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL LABORATORY

Laboratory Activity #1
DC Ammeter

Name: Joshua Wally C. Fraginal Date Performed: 01/12/2017

Section: C38 Instructor: Ronel V. Vidal, PECE

I. Objectives:
1. To measure current by using a basic meter movement
2. Verify ammeter operation by measuring known values of current

II. Introduction:
For this experiment we need to use the ammeter. Meter are widely used tools in
repairing maintaining and troubleshooting electronic equipment. The digital multimeter
thisis use to measure the electronic quantities of volt, resistance, and current.
Analog Multimeter continuous deflection of a pointer over a scale represents the value
of quantity being measured. Incite analog multimeter there will be current measuring
moving coil meter with appropriate internal resistors which will be brought into circuit
based on range switch selection. It is used to measure AC and DC current as well as voltage.
It is also used to measure resistance. Multimeters are available to measure capacitors and
transistors.
A Digital Multimeter is a electronic
multimeter with digital decimal display for
example LCD display. The measurement is
displayed by ADC (analog to digital converter).
For measurement of less magnitude voltage, it is
amplified before being displayed.
The action of all ammeters and voltmeters,
with the exception of electrostatic type of
instruments, depends upon a deflecting torque
produced by an electric current. In an ammeter
this torque is produced by a current to be
measured or by a fraction of it. In a voltmeter
this torque is produced by a current which is
proportional to the voltage to be measured.
Thus all analog voltmeters and ammeters are essentially current measuring devices.
III. Methodology (Materials & Procedure):

Materials that are needed for this experiment are F.A.C.E.T base unit, dc fundamental
circuit, power supply, multimeter, and DC milliammeter module. First the F.A.C.E.T base unit
and dc fundamental circuit will be put together. It is the material that will be tested and where
we will acquire the resistance, voltage and current for the circuit. While, multimeter is the
instrument that is used to measure the voltage, resistance and the current of the circuit. And
the DC milliammeter is used to measure the small amount of current.

1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the DC Fundamentals circuit board into the base unit.
Turn on the power sources. Do not apply power to the AMPS circuit at this time.
2. Adjust the positive supply to +10 Vdc at the VOLTMETER/AMMETER/OHMMETER circuit
block.
3. With a full scale indication of 1 mA, calculate the meter voltage drop and the required
value of R4. Also measure and record the value of R4.
4. Connect the meter in the R4 branch. Observe the meter polarity. Use a two-post
connector to energize the AMPS circuit. Use the fine adjust control of the positive
supply to obtain an exact full-scale meter indication.
5. Adjust the rheostat R8 to its maximum CW position. Move the positive connection of
the meter movement module to the 10 mA circuit position.
6. Slowly adjust R8 until the meter gives a full-scale indication and measure the current
reading indicated by the meter.
7. Remove the power from the circuit and measure the value of R8 and then compared it
to the calculated value.
8. Turn off the power sources and remove all circuit board connections.

IV. Data & Results:

 Based on the discussion, what are the values if Rm and Im which are to be used in this
procedure?

Rm = 2300 Ω while Im = 0.001A

 With a full scale indication of 1mA, calculate the meter voltage drop.
 Vm = 0.001(2300) = 2.3 V

 Calculate the required value if R4.

R4 = (10-2.3) / 0.001

R4 = 7,700 Ω

 Measure and record the value of R4.

R4 = 7690 Ω

 What is the current through R4 when the meter indicates half-scale deflection?
Current through R4 is 0.5mA

 What current value is displayed on the meter?

1.0mA was displayed on the meter indicating full scale current (Im).

 What is the current indicated on the meter?

0.42 mA is indicated on the meter but since the circuit was shunted, the actual current is
4.2mA.

 Does the meter give the above indication because the range of the meter cannot be extended or
because R8 serves as a meter shunt?
R8 serves as a meter shunt.

 Slowly adjust R8 until the meter gives a full scale indication. What current reading is now
indicated by the meter? 1mA
V. Discussion of Results/ Conclusion:
Using a multi meter can make your work easier because it can be an ammeter. We also
used the small ammeter to know if it is in full scale. Also we learn that the shunt resistor is
used to extend the range of 1mA to 10mA. we also calculated the voltage drop across the
resistor.

VI. References

Joshi, M. (2013, april 20). myclassbook. Retrieved january 17, 2017, from my class book:
http://www.myclassbook.org/