SSP4 - DielectricConstantExpt Lab Manual

Measurement of Dielectric Constant
The purpose of this experiment is to measure the dielectric constant of an insulating material
(like glass/polystyrene/plastic/teflon/ebonite). Hence, the objectives of this experiment are:
a. Measuring the charge Q on a plate capacitor as a function of the applied voltage E.
b. Determining the capacitance C as a function of areas A of plates.
c. Determining the capacitance C with different dielectrics between the plates.
d. Determining the capacitance C as a function of the distance d between the plates.
Working Principle:
The relation between capacitance, charge and charging voltage is given as:
𝑄
C= ------------------- (1)
𝐸
Where Q is charge on the capacitor & E is charging voltage.
It is very clear from this expression that the capacitance of a plate capacitor depends on the
area A of the plates, the distance d between the plates and the non-conductive material
between the plates.
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by the following formula:
𝐴
C = εrεo ------------------- (2)
𝑑
Where, εo= 8.85 x 10-12 F/m; permittivity of free space.
This formula is valid as long as the distance between the plates is much smaller than the
dimensions of the plates and the field E between the plates is homogeneous. The permittivity
εr, describes the change of the capacitance relatively to the vacuum value caused by the
introduction of the material.
The relation (2) can be studied in the experiment by means of a demountable capacitor with
variable geometrical dimensions. The distance d between the plates can be increased with
spacers in steps of 1 mm. First the charge Q on the capacitor is measured as a function of the
voltage E. The capacitance C is then determined as the slope of the straight line.
The output charge is being measured by means of an electrometer amplifier, which is

operated as a coulomb meter. However, any voltmeter may be used to display the output
voltage VO. Then the Q can be obtained from the reference capacitance Cref,
Q = Vo × Cref ------------------------(3)
Experimental Setup:
Dielectric Constant Setups

a. Mount the pair of plates and set the distance d between the plates with the spacers.
b. Connect the earthing of mains inlet socket with the earth terminal of the electrometer
amplifier.
c. Connect negative terminal of the dc power supply to the right plate and to the earth of the
electrometer amplifier. Connect the connection rod.
d. Connect the positive side of the power supply to the socket C (means charging position)
of the two-way switch.
e. Connect socket S of the two-way switch to the left plate and socket D (i.e. Discharging
position) to the input of the electrometer amplifier.
f. Connect the reference capacitor cref= 220nF at the electrometer amplifier input terminals
and connect the digital multimeter to its output, set 20V DC position.
g. Connect 12V AC power supply to electrometer amplifier.
h. Hold the discharging rod in your hand to get static charge, at each time when charging &
discharging processes.
Important Instructions:
a. Before taking a fresh reading press s1 to short the capacitor.

b. Connect the digital multimeter to 0-600V DC power supply and set 600V DC position.
c. Leave switch s1 and connect s to charge the capacitor for 3 to 5 second. Again press push
switch s1 and connect s to discharge position. Note the DMM reading.
Experimental Method:
1. Establish the connection set (S) to discharging (D) position with the two-way switch;
discharge the plate capacitor with the discharging rod check the zero at output.
2. Hold the discharging rod in your hand (to store the charge), change to the connection set
(S) to charging (C) position with the two-way switch, and set the charging voltage E.
3. Change back to the connection S to D, measure the charge Q with the electrometer
amplifier, and note down the charge reading displayed in multimeter & repeat the procedure
of discharging to discharge the plate charge.
Note: During discharging measurement the output voltage of electrometer amplifier will vary,
therefore wait for 30-60sec to read out stable reading. Each measurement should be taken for
same time interval.
4. Repeat the measurement with other voltages (E).
5. Replace the pair of small plates with the pair of large plates & repeat the steps no. 1-3 to
record the readings.
6. Establish the connection S to D, and discharge the capacitor with the connection rod.
7. Hold the connection rod in your hand, repeat the procedure of charging & discharging and
record the series of measurements with different applied voltages using large plates.

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Measurement of Dielectric Constant

b. Determining the capacitance C as a function of areas A of plates.

c. Determining the capacitance C with different dielectrics between the plates.

d. Determining the capacitance C as a function of the distance d between the plates.

Where Q is charge on the capacitor & E is charging voltage.

The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by the following formula:

Where, εo= 8.85 x 10-12 F/m; permittivity of free space.

The output charge is being measured by means of an electrometer amplifier, which is

Dielectric Constant Setups

g. Connect 12V AC power supply to electrometer amplifier.

a. Before taking a fresh reading press s1 to short the capacitor.

4. Repeat the measurement with other voltages (E).

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