Bridges

DC Bridge & AC Bridge

Wheatstone Bridge

Wheatstone Bridge

Consists of two parallel resistance branches

A voltage source is connected across the resistance network
A null detector, usually a galvanometer is connected between the
parallel branches to detect a balanced condition
R1 & R2 = precision resistors (standard) known
R3
R4 / RX

= adjustable resistor (precisely calibrated) measured

= unknown to be calculated

Wheatstone Bridge

Initially, the bridge is in unbalanced condition;

galvanometer will give a reading (current flows through the
galvanometer
V2 VX

R3 is carefully adjusted so that no current will flow through the

galvanometer
IG = 0

V2 = VX

the bridge is now in balanced condition

Wheatstone Bridge

From the figure,

V2

R2
VS
R2 R1

also,

VX

RX
VS
R3 RX

In balanced condition, V2 = VS,

hence, R1RX = R2R3

RX

R2 R3
R1

Wheatstone Bridge

Example
A wheatstone bridge has R2 = 3.5 k, R3 = 5.51 k and R1 = 7 k.
(a)

Calculate for RX

(b)

Determine the measurement range if R3 is adjusted from 1 k 8 k

Ans: (a) 2.755 k; (b) 500 - 4 k

Unbalanced Condition of
Wheatstone Bridge

Sometimes measurement error could occur due to insufficient

sensitivity of the null detector (galvanometer)
Galvanometer current will be calculated
To determine whether or not the galvanometer has the required
sensitivity to detect an unbalance condition
Internal resistance of the galvanometer will be taken in account
This current sensitivity can be calculated by converting the
wheatstone bridge to its Thevenin equivalent

Kelvin Bridge

For the above circuit, ratio of r1/r2 is exactly the same as R1/R2.
Hence, the voltage drop across R is eliminated

Kelvin Bridge

With Vg = 0 (balance condition),

i1 R2 i2 r2 IR3
IR3 i1 R2 i2 r2

i2 r2

R2 i1
R2

-------------------------

(1)

Kelvin Bridge

Also,

i1 R1 i2 r1 IRX
IRX i1 R1 i2 r1

i2 r1

R1 i1
R1

-------------------------------

(2)

Kelvin Bridge

(2) (1)

IRX
R1 i1 i2 r1 / R1

IR3 R2 i1 i2 r2 / R2

and r1/r2 = R1/R2 or r1/R1 = r2/R2

hence,

RX R1

R3 R2
R1 R3
RX
R2

Applications of Wheatstone Bridge

Varley Loop

Wheatstone bridge is also used extensively by telephone

companies and others to locate faults in cables
The fault may be two lines shorted together or a single line
shorted to ground
Test method called a Varley loop, which uses a Wheatstone
bridge, is often used to overcome this problem

Varley Loop

Varley Loop

Assume a fault occurs at x in the conductor represented by

resistance Rb

A spare conductor, represented by resistance Ra, is connected to

the shorted conductor at point Y
To locate the fault, first set switch S, to position a
Balance the bridge by adjusting R4
R1R4 = R3(Ra + Rb)

Ra + Rb = R1R4/R3

Now, set switch S to position b

Balance the bridge by adjusting R4

R1(R4 + RX) = R3(Ra + Rb RX)

Solving for RX

RX

R3 ( Ra Rb ) R1 R4
R1 R3

AC Bridge

Same principle as Wheatstone bridge, but with ac source

impedances replace resistances
Null condition:
Z1Z4 = Z2Z3
1 + 4 = 2 + 3

AC Bridge
Example
Referring to the above bridge, BC branch consists of R = 450 ; AB
branch consists of R = 300 in series with C = 0.265 F; and DA
branch consists of R = 200 in series with L = 15.9 mH. Let
frequency = 1 kHz. Calculate for impedance in CD branch.
Ans: j150 @ L = 23.9 mH

Scherings Bridge
R3C1
RX
C2
C2 R1
CX
R3

Scherings bridge is used to measure capacitance

Note that Schering and capacitor both contain the letter C

Maxwells Bridge
R2 R3
RX
R1
LX C1 R2 R3

Maxwells bridge is used to measure inductance