Experiment 5 – Internal Resistance of Ammeter

EXPERIMENT 5
INTERNAL RESISTANCE OF AMMETER

1.1 OBJECTIVE

1. To determine the internal resistance of ammeter.

2. To learn three methods in measuring internal resistance.

1.2 APPARATUS

1. A variable DC power supply

2. 2 Potentiometers (variable resistor) 50 kΩ and 100 kΩ
3. Analog Multimeter (Set as Ammeter at full-scale 50 µA)
4. Digital multimeter

1.3 PROCEDURES

A. Potentiometer Method

1. Connect the circuit as in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Potentiometer method

2. Set the 50 kΩ potentiometer to maximum and the voltage source (DC)

to minimum.
3. Slowly increase the voltage to 1 V and measure with the digital
multimeter.

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Experiment 5 – Internal Resistance of Ammeter

4. Slowly, decrease the resistance of the potentiometer until a full-scale

reading (50µA) is obtained on the meter.
5. Carefully, disconnected the potentiometer and measure the resistance
of the potentiometer using the digital multimeter. Record this as R1 in
Table 1.1.
6. Reconnect the circuit and slowly vary the potentiometer until the
meter reads exactly half-scale (25 µA)
7. Disconnect the potentiometer and measure the resistance value.
Record this as R2 in Table 1.1.
8. Calculate the value of internal resistance of the meter by the equation,
Rm1 = R2 – 2 R1

B. Voltage Method

1. Connect the circuit as in Figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2: Potentiometer Method

2. Set the 50 kΩ to maximum and voltage source (DC) to minimum.

3. Slowly, increase the voltage to 1 V and measure with the digital
multimeter.
4. Slowly, decrease the resistance of the potentiometer until a full-scale
reading (50µA) is obtained on the meter under test.
5. Measure the voltage across the meter under test.
6. Record all the reading of current and voltage in Table 1.1.
7. Calculate the internal resistance, R m2 of the meter using Ohm law.

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Experiment 5 – Internal Resistance of Ammeter

C. Shunt-Resistor Method

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1.3 with the voltage source
(DC) set to minimum.

Figure 1.3 – Shunt Resistor Method

2. Set the 100 kΩ potentiometer to maximum and slowly increase the

voltage source to 2 V.
3. With switch S 1 open, slowly decrease the resistance of the 100 kΩ
potentiometer until a full-scale reading (50 µA) is obtained on the
meter under test.
4. Complete the circuit and vary the 50 kΩ potentiometer until the meter
under test reads exactly one-half scale (25 µA).
5. Disconnect 50 kΩ potentiometer from the circuit and measure the
value of the potentiometer resistance. Record this as R m3 in Table
1.1.

1.4 RESULT AND DATA

Potentiometer Voltage Shunt Resistor Internal Resistance

Method Method Method of meter
R 1 =…………… V = …………. mV
R 2 = …………… I = 50 µA
R m1 =…………. R m2 = ………….. R m3 = ………….. R m.ave = ………….

Table 1.1: Internal Resistance of 50 µA analog ammeter

1.6 CONCLUSION

Attach result and conclusion in your report.