Classification of Resistance

Measurements
• Low resistances (0-1) Ω

• Medium resistances (1-0.1M)Ω

• High resistances (≥ 0.1MΩ)

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Medium Resistance Measurement
Methods
(1) Voltmeter-Ammeter (2) Substitution
(3) Ohmmeter (4) Bridge
 Voltmeter-Ammeter Method
As we know that the
internal resistances of the
voltmeter and ammeter
are large and small,
respectively.

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 Voltmeter-Ammeter Method
(1) Simple and requires only two meters
(2) Subject to error
 Substitution Method
• Keep at position 1 and
vary the Rh up to finite
value of current flow
through the circuit.

• Shift to position 2 with the

same value of Rh in
previous case, change
the S value until the
same/previous current
flow through the circuit.

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 Ohmmeter Method
(1) Only one meter
(2) Non-linear scale
 Using Bridge Circuit
• Bridge Circuit is a null method, operates on the
principle of comparison
• A known (standard) value is adjusted until it is equal
to the unknown value

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Wheatstone Bridge

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Ratio arms (R1 , R2) & Standard arm (R3 )
Wheatstone Bridge Apparatus

The Ratio Control switches the

ratio in decade steps

The remaining four step switches

set the resistance of the standard
arm

Example
R1 , R2 10 Ω, 100 Ω, 1 kΩ 10 kΩ
R3 Min. step 1 Ω, Max value 11110 Ω
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Measurement Errors

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Thermal EMF

Creates error in measurement of low resistance

15
Contact Resistance

On the micro scale, surface roughness

limits surface to surface contact

Measurement using four terminals

to avoid contact resistance

Standard resistance model with contact

resistance 16
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 Assignment
Figure below show the schematic diagram of a Wheatstone
bridge with the bridge elements. The battery is 5 V and its
internal resistance negligible. The galvanometer has a
current sensitivity of 10 mm/ µA and an internal resistance
of 100 Ω. Calculate the deflection of the galvanometer
caused by the 5 Ω unbalance in arm BC.

Ans: 33.2 mm

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 Assignment Continued
The galvanometer in the previous question is replaced by
one with an internal resistance of 500 Ω and a current
sensitivity of 1 mm/µA. Assuming that the minimum
deflection that can be observed on this galvanometer is 1
mm, determine what is the minimum unbalance in the
resistance that can be detected in arm BC.

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 Answers to Assignment-2
1) 2.48 Ω
2) 1.06 %
3) (a) 99.9 Ω, 0.195 Ω, 0.195 %
(b) (i) 80 (ii) 98
(c) (i) 68 (ii) 95
4) (a) 38.3 % (b) 68.3 % (c) 95.5 % (d) 15.7 %
R
5) For series: n R For parallel:
n n

6) (a) 8.7 Ω (b) 7.1 Ω (c) 5.6 Ω