Wheatstone

Bridge
(Introduction)

Brief History
The Wheatstone bridge
was first founded by
Samuel Hunter Christie
in the year 1833.
However, at that time the
inventor couldnt make
out the real use of it.

Brief History
Several years later, the
Wheatstone Bridge was
developed by Charles
Wheatstone to measure
unknown resistance
values and as a means
of calibrating instruments.

Definition
Wheatstone bridge is a device which
is used to measure the
electrical resistance through
comparison method. Basically
an electrical circuit, Wheatstone bridge
is used to measure resistance of
an unknown resistor by passing current
through it.

How to Draw:

Definition
A Wheatstone bridge circuit has two
input terminals and two output
terminals consisting of four resistors
configured in a diamond-like
arrangement as shown. This is typical
of how the Wheatstone bridge is drawn.

Yokogawa 2755
Portable Wheatstone Bridge
Model 2755 measures resistances
from 1 to 10M by operation of dials
and switches.
Batteries and a galvanometer are selfcontained.

Yokogawa 2755
Portable Wheatstone Bridge
The front control panel is provided with
power and galvanometer circuit
selectors, one ratio arm, and four
measuring dials.

Yokogawa 2755
Portable Wheatstone Bridge

Parts of Wheatstone Bridge

Power source
Galvanometer
1 variable resistor
2 fixed resistors
1 resistor (unknown
value)
1 switch (optional)

Power Source (Battery)

A battery is a device
consisting of two or
more electrochemical
cells that convert
stored chemical
energy into electrical
energy.

Galvanometer
A galvanometer is
an instrument for
measuring a small
electrical current or
a function of the
current by
deflection of a
moving coil.

Variable Resistor
A variable resistors
resistance value can
be adjusted as per
requirement by
adjustable component
attached to it.

Fixed Resistor
Fixed value
resistors have a
defined value of
resistance and are
not adjustable.

Technically, as mentioned earlier

Wheatstone bridge is a basic
electrically circuit. The arrangement
also consists of a power source such
as battery and a galvanometer that acts
as a connection between the two
parallel circuits.

The two parallel circuits also consist

of two resistors each, out of which the
resistances of three are know and the
fourth one is of the device whose
resistance needs to be found out. The
arrangement of the circuit is shown in
the figure.

The three known resistances of the

parallel branches are already known.
The current is allowed to pass through
the circuit. When the current passes
through the galvanometer, the variable
resistor is adjusted in such a manner
that the galvanometer reading
shows zero.

Now suppose there are

4 resistors R1, R2, R3 and Rx. Rx is
the resistor whose resistance is to be
found and R3 is the variable resistor.
R1 and R2 are on one leg and R3 and
Rx are on the other leg.

Then we can see that balance occurs

when:

The Wheatstone Bridge equation

required to give the value of the
unknown resistance, RX at balance is
given as:

Sample Problem 1
A circuit consists of two resistors with
resistances R1 = 6.0 and R2 = 1.5 ,
a variable resistor, the resistance Rvar of
which can be adjusted, a resistor of
unknown value Ru , and 9.0 volt battery
connected as shown in the figure.

Sample Problem 1
When Rvar is
adjusted to 12 ,
there is zero
current through the
ammeter. What is
the unknown
resistance Ru ?

Solution (SP1)

Sample Problem 2
Consider using a Wheatstone bridge
having R1 = 200 and R2 = 2000 to
measure a resistance Rm. The bridge is
balanced by adjusting R3 until R3 =
250. What is the value of Rm?

Solution (SP2)

Sample Problem 3
Consider using a Wheatstone bridge
having R1 = 200 and R2 = 2000 to
measure a resistance, Rm , of a
temperature sensor.
Suppose the resistance of the
temperature sensor, Rm , in , is related
to the temperature T, in C, by the
equation:
Rm = 1500 + 25T

Sample Problem 3
The bridge is
balanced by
adjusting R3 until
R3 250. What is
the value of the
temperature?

Solution (SP3)

Sample Problem 4
Consider using a Wheatstone bridge
having R1 = 200 and R2 = 2000 to
measure a resistance, Rm , of a
temperature sensor.
Suppose the resistance of the
temperature sensor, Rm , in , is related
to the temperature T, in C, by the
equation:
Rm = 1500 + 25T

Sample Problem 4
The temperature is expected to vary
over the range 0 to 100 C. Over what
range must R3 vary in order for the
bridge to measure temperature over the
range 0 to 100 C?

Solution (SP4)

Sample Problem 5
How much voltage needs to be
dropped across resistor R1 in order to
make voltage VAB equal to zero?

Sample Problem 5
Given:
R2 = 60k
R3 = 10k
R4 = 30k
VS = 36 VDC
Find:
R1 = ?

Solution (SP5)

V1 = (R1)(VS) = (20k)(36VDC) = 9VDC

R1+R2 (20k)+(60k)