Moving Coil Instruments

PMMC Instruments
The construction of (PMMC)
 Principle of operation
• If the coil is carrying a current of I amp.,
• According to Left Hand Rule
• the force F on a coil side = BIlN N
Deflecting Torque Td =F*w Nm
Td =(BIlN*w ) =GI Nm
torque constant G=BAN
 Principle of operation
The controlling torque of springs Tc is

At steady state position,

So,
i.e.
The deflection is proportional to the current.
So,PMMC is a uniform (linear) scale instrument
 Damping Torque
• As the coil moves in the field of PM
• Eddy currents are set up in the metal former
• The magnetic field produced by the eddy currents
opposes the motion of the coil.
• The torque produced by the eddy currents is called
damping torque.
 Damping Torque

i is eddy I is Measured
current current
 Damping torque due to induce currents in
the metal former

E.m.f in 1 turn = 2 Blv=2Bl r

 damping torque due to induce
currents in the coil

Total damping torque (coil and former) is

 Review
Deflecting Torque

torque constant G=BAN

At steady state position

It is extended to
 Question
What is meant by critical damping? to what extent
should a moving coil instrument to be damped?

It is extended to
Advantages of PMMC Instruments
1-linear scale.
2-Low power consumption .
3-high accuracy.
4- high sensitivity
5-Good damping by eddy currents .
6-Extension of instrument range is possible.
7-Not affected by external magnetic fields.
 Disadvantages of PMMC

1-Suitable for d. c. only. (what is reading?)

2-Ageing of permanent magnet and the

control springs introduces the errors.

3-Expensive compare to M.I.I.

 Errors in PMMC Instruments
1-Weakening of permanent magnets
and springs
due to ageing at temperature effects.
2-Change of resistance of the moving
coil with temperature.
Q: How can you compensate the
temperature effects?
 Temperature Compensation
• PMMC instrument is sensitive to the
temperature.
• Hence the temperature Compensation is
provided by using of series resistance.
• This resistance is called a swamping resistor.
• It is made up of manganin having practically
zero temperature coefficient
• It is 20 to 30 times the coil resistance and is
connected in series with the movable coil.
The connection of swamping resistance
Application of Moving Coil Instruments

• 1)Uses as An ammeter,
• Moving Coil Instrument is connected in
series with the circuit.
• This instrument gives f.s.d for around a
current level 50ma owing to coil weight.
 Extension the meter-range
• For higher range ammeters, a low
resistance, made up of manganin, is
connected in parallel to the moving coil.
Extension the meter-range
Multi-range ammeter circuit
 2)Uses as A voltmeter
• M. C. I. is converted into a voltmeter by
connecting a high value resistance called
• (a multiplier) in series with it as shown
Multi-range voltmeter circuit
3)Uses as AVO meter
3)Uses as AVO meter