3.3. Ohmmeters: Ohmmeter Working Principle
3.3. Ohmmeters: Ohmmeter Working Principle
3.3. Ohmmeters: Ohmmeter Working Principle
Ohmmeters
Though mechanical ohmmeter (resistance meter) designs are rarely used today, having largely been superseded by digital instruments, their
operation is nonetheless intriguing and worthy of study. The purpose of an ohmmeter, of course, is to measure the resistance placed between its
leads. This resistance reading is indicated through a mechanical meter movement which operates on electric current. The ohmmeter must then
have an internal source of voltage to create the necessary current to operate the movement, and also have appropriate ranging resistors to
allow just the right amount of current through the movement at any given resistance.
When there is infinite resistance (no continuity between test leads), there is zero current through the meter movement, and the needle points
toward the far left of the scale. In this regard, the ohmmeter indication is ”backwards” because maximum indication (infinity) is on the left of the
scale, while voltage and current meters have zero at the left of their scales. If the test leads of this ohmmeter are directly shorted together
(measuring zero ), the meter movement will have a maximum amount of current through it, limited only by the battery voltage and the
movement’s internal resistance.
The working principle of ohmmeter is, it comprises of a needle and two test leads. The needle deflection can be controlled with the battery
current. Initially, the two test leads of the meter can be shorted together to calculate the resistance of an electrical circuit. Once the two leads of
the meter are shorted, then the meter can be changed for appropriate action in a fixed range. The needle comes back to the highest point on the
meter scale, and the current in the meter will be highest. An ohmmeter circuit diagram is shown below.
Image: Elprocus.com
Once the testing of the circuit is done then the test leads of the meter must be detached. Once the two test leads of the meter are connected to
the circuit then the battery gets discharged. When the test leads get shorted then the rheostat will be adjusted. The meter needle can be
reached to the lowest position that is zero, and then there will be zero resistance among the two test leads.
Types of Ohmmeter
The classification of this meter can be done based on the application in three types namely series type ohmmeter, shunt type ohmmeter, and
multi-range type ohmmeter.
In series type ohmmeter, the component which we want to measure can be connected with the meter in series. The resistance value can
be calculated through the shunt resistor R2 using D’Arsonval movement which is connected parallel. The R2 resistance can be connected
in series with the battery as well as R1 resistance. The measuring component is connected in series by the two terminals A as well as B.
Image: Elprocus.com
Whenever the measuring component value is zero then there will be a huge flow of current through the meter. In this situation, the shunt
resistance can be corrected until the meter specifies the full-load current. For this current, the needle turns aside in the direction of 0 ohms.
Whenever the measuring component is detached from the circuit then the circuit resistance turns into the unlimited & flow of current in the
circuit. The needle of the meter deflects towards the infinity. The meter illustrates the infinite resistance when there is no flow of current &
the zero resistance once the huge flow of current through it.
Whenever the measuring component is connected in series with the circuit, and the resistance of that circuit is higher, the meter needle will
deflect in the direction of the left. And if the resistance is little, then needle turn aside in the direction of right.
The connection of shunt type ohmmeter can be done whenever the calculating component is connected in parallel with the battery. This
type of circuit is used to calculate the low-value resistance. The following circuit can be built with the meter, the battery, and the measuring
component. The measuring component can be connected across the terminals A & B.
Image: Elprocus.com
When the resistance value of the component is zero then the current in the meter will become zero. Similarly, when the resistance of the
component becomes vast then the flow of current through the battery & the needle illustrates the full-scale deflection in the direction of the
left. This type of meter has no current on the scale in the direction of left as well as the infinity spot in their right direction.
3. Multi-Range Ohmmeter
The multi-range ohmmeter range is very high, and this meter includes an adjuster, and the range of a meter can be selected by an adjuster
based on the requirement.
Figure 5. Multi-Range Type Ohmmeter
Image: Elprocus.com
For instance, consider we utilize a meter to calculate the resistance below 10 ohms. So initially, we need to fix the resistance value to 10 ohms.
The measuring component is connected with the meter in parallel. The resistance magnitude can be decided by the deflection of the needle.
Applications of Ohmmeter
This meter can be used to ensure the continuity of the circuit which means if the sufficient flow of current or huge flow of current through the
circuit then the circuit will be detached.
These are broadly used in electronic labs in engineering to test the electronic components.
These are used for small ICs for debugging such as PCBs & other stuff which requires to be executed in sensitive devices.
This meter is used to measure the resistance as well as the connection of the components in an electrical circuit. It measures the resistance in
ohms. The micro-ohmmeter is used to calculate low-resistance; mega ohmmeter is used to calculate the high-resistance. and this meter can be
used extremely convenient.
References:
Kubala, T.(2013). Electricity 1: Devices, circuits, and materials (10th Ed).USA: Delmar, Cengage Learning