EXPERIMENT NO.

– 1

TITLE: Calibration of Ammeter and Voltmeter

OBJECT: To compare readings of a given ammeter and voltmeter with that of a sub-standard
meter.

THEORY:
D.C. ammeters and voltmeters are generally permanent magnet moving-coil type instrument.
The basic instruments for making an ammeter or a voltmeter is a milli voltmeter which is converted into
ammeter by connecting appropriate value of low resistance in parallel with the meter (called shunt). The
voltmeters are made by connecting high resistance in series with the basic instrument. Multi range
ammeters and voltmeters which are most common in laboratories have different values of resistances
connected either as shunts or in series as per requirement of the range.

The ammeters and voltmeters are manufactured with different values of accuracy varying from
± 5 % to ± 0.05 %. More accurate ones are obviously costlier than the less accurate ones.

Accuracy of measuring instruments in mentioned on the front panel by the manufacturer. These
instruments are to be calibrated periodically to ascertain their claimed accuracy. The best method of
calibration is to measure the true value of current or voltage in the circuit and compared it with the
value measured by the given ammeter or volt meter. The percentage error of the instrument can be
calculated as follows:

𝑇−𝑆
Percentage Error: × 100 Where; T = Test Value
𝑆

S= Standard Value

Calibration of Ammeter & Voltmeter Page 1

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Calibration of Ammeter:

Calibration of Voltmeter:

Calibration of Ammeter & Voltmeter Page 2

 PROCEDURE:

Calibration of Ammeter:

a) Make the connections as per circuit diagram.

b) The loads have to increase step by step by the single pole switches.
c) Take at least six observations by changing the load up to full scale deflection of the given
ammeter.
d) Note the readings of testing values and standard values at every step.
e) Calculate percentage error in each case.

Calibration of Voltmeter:

a) Make the connections as per circuit diagram.

b) Adjust rheostat such that testing voltmeter is reading a low value.
c) Take at least six observations by changing the rheostat up to full scale deflection of the
given voltmeter.
d) Note the readings of testing values and standard values at every step.
e) Calculate percentage error in each case.

APPARATUS TABLE:
SL.NO NAME OF QTY RANGE/RATING MAKERS NAME MAKERS SL. NO.
. EQUIPMENTS
Range 0 – 300V VS = ORI New VS =
1 Voltmeter 2 Type P.M.M.C
Accuracy class 1.5 VT = BEMET VT =
Range 0 – 10A AS = ORI New AS =
2 Ammeter 2 Type P.M.M.C.
Accuracy class 1.5 AT = AE AT
3 Rheostat 1 Range 1A, 1KΩ
Type Resistive
4 Load 2+2 Range 1A, 220Ω & 2A,110Ω
Resistor =4 Type Resistive
5 Switch fuse 1 Range 20A, 240V
unit Type I.C.D.P.
6 Toggle switch 2+2 Range 1A, 2A
Type S.P.

Calibration of Ammeter & Voltmeter Page 3

EXPERIMENTAL TABLE:
Calibration for Ammeter:

Sl. No. AS AT Percentage of error

1
2
3
4
5
6
Calibration for Voltmeter:

Sl. No. VS VT Percentage of error

1
2
3
4
5
6

REPORT:
To draw a graph showing percentage error for different test values of current and voltage.

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:

Calibration of Ammeter & Voltmeter Page 4

CONCLUTION / DISCUSSION:

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
a) What could be the reasons of getting non-linear graph between the percentage error
and tested value?
b) Differentiate between positive and negative error of measuring instrument by giving
suitable example.

REFERENCE:
Experiments in Basic Electrical Engineering (S. K. Bhattacharya).

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