Moving Iron Instrument ( MI Instrument)

Moving Iron Instrument ( MI Instrument)

The instrument in which the moving iron is used for measuring the flow of current or
voltage is known as the moving iron instrument.
It works on the principle that the iron place near the magnet attracts towards it. The force
of attraction depends on the strength of the magnet field. The magnetic field induces by
the electromagnet whose strength depends on the magnitude of the current passes
through it.
Construction of Moving Iron Instrument

The plate or vane of soft iron is used as the moving element of the instrument. The
vane is placed that it can freely move in the magnetic field of the stationary coil. The
conductor makes the stationary coil, and it is excited by the voltage or current whose
magnitude is used to be measured.
The moving iron instrument uses the stationary coil as an electromagnet. The
electromagnet is the temporary magnet whose magnetic field strength increases or
decreases with the magnitude of the current passes through it.

https://circuitglobe.com/moving-iron-or-mi-instrument.html
Electro-mechanical Indicating instruments
1. Magnetic effect:

1. Attraction type of moving iron instruments.

2. Repulsion type moving iron instruments.

Moving Iron Instruments – Working Animation & Attraction Type - Bing video
Moving Iron Instrument or MI Instrument
1. Attraction Type
Construction of Attraction Type Instrument – The
stationary coil of the attraction type instrument is flat and
has a narrow opening. The moving element is the flat disc
of the iron core. The current flow through the stationary
coil produced the magnetic field which attracts the iron
coil.

The iron vane deflects from the low magnetic field to

the high magnetic field, and the strength of the
deflection is directly proportional to the magnitude of
the current flow through it.
The attraction type instruments use spring, which provided
the controlling torque. The deflection of the coil is reduced
by the aluminium piston which is attached to the moving
coil.
Moving Iron Instrument or MI Instrument

2. Repulsion Type Instruments

The repulsion type instrument has two vanes or iron plates. One is
fixed, and the other one is movable. The vanes become magnetized
when the current passes through the stationary coil and the force
of repulsion occur between them. Because of a repulsive force,
the moving coil starts moving away from the fixed vane.

The spring provides the controlling torque. The air friction induces
the damping torque, which opposes the movement of the coil. The
repulsion type instrument is a non-polarized instrument, i.e., free
from the direction of current passes through it. Thus, it is used for
both AC and DC.
Advantages of the MI Instruments
1. Universal use – The MI instrument is independent of the direction of current and hence used for
both AC and DC.
2. Less Friction Error – The friction error is very less in the moving iron instrument because their torque
weight ratio is high. The torque weight ratio is high because their current carrying part is stationary and the
moving parts are lighter in weight.
3. Cheapness – The MI instruments require less number of turns as compared to PMMC instrument. Thus, it is
cheaper.
4. Robustness – The instrument is robust because of their simple construction. And also because their
current carrying part is stationary.

Disadvantages of Moving Iron Instruments.

1. Accuracy – The scale of the moving iron instruments is not uniform, and hence the accurate result is not
possible.
2. Errors – Some serious error occurs in the instruments because of the hysteresis, frequency and stray
magnetic field.
3. Waveform Error – In MI instrument the deflection torque is not directly proportional to the square of the current.
Because of which the waveforms error occurs in the instrument.
4. Difference between AC and DC calibration – The calibration of the AC and DC are differed because of the
effect of the inductance of meter and the eddy current which is used on AC. The AC is calibrated on the frequency
at which they use.
Difference Between Moving Iron & Moving Coil Instrument
MI ( Moving Iron) PMMC( Moving Coil)
Moving the soft iron is used for moving the conductor coil is used for
system mechanism. measuring the current and
voltage.

Use Both for AC and DC measurement DC Measurement

Damping Air Friction Damping Eddy Current Damping
Controlling Gravity or spring spring
Torque
Applications Ammeter, Voltmeter Voltmeter, ammeter,
galvanometer, ohmmeter
 Electrodynamic
(Electrodynamometer Instruments )
Electrodynamic (Electrodynamometer Instruments )
An electrodynamometer type instrument is a moving coil instrument in which the
operating field is produced by another coil which is fixed. This type of instrument can be
used either as an ammeter or as a voltmeter but is generally used as a wattmeter.

CONSTRUCTION –
The instrument consists of a fixed coil and a moving coil.
The fixed coil is usually air-cored to avoid hysteresis effects
when used on AC circuits. Fixed coils are wound with fine
wire for use as a voltmeter.
 Electrodynamic (Electrodynamometer Instruments )

▪ Electrodynamic type instruments are similar to the PMMC-type elements except that the magnet is replaced by

two serially connected fixed coils that produce the magnetic field when energized.

▪ The fixed coils are spaced far enough apart to allow passage of the shaft of the movable coil. The movable coil

carries a pointer, which is balanced by counter weights. Its rotation is controlled by springs.

▪ The motor torque is proportional to the product of the currents in the moving and fixed coils.

▪ If the current is reversed, the field polarity and the polarity of the moving coil reverse at the same time, and the

turning force continues in the original direction. Since the reversing the current direction does not reverse the

turning force, this type of instruments can be used to measure AC or DC current, voltage, or its major application

as a wattmeter for power measurement. Electrodynamometer Instruments - Ammeter, Voltmeter and

Wattmeter (studyelectrical.com)
Electrodynamic (Electrodynamometer Instruments )

▪ Electro-dynamometer type instruments are very similar to PMMC type instrument in which the operating field is

produced, not by a permanent magnet but by another fixed coil (usually two fixed air cored coils are used).

▪ The PMMC instrument cannot be used on A.C currents or voltages. If A.C supply is given to these instruments, an

alternating torque will be developed. Due to moment of inertia of the moving system, the pointer will not follow

the rapidly changing alternating torque and will fail to show any reading.

▪ In order that the instrument should be able to read A.C quantities, the magnetic field in the air gap must change

along with the change in current. This principle is used in the electro-dynamometer type instrument.
DEFLECTING TORQUE
Let the currents passing through fixed and moving coils be I1 and I2 respectively. Since,
there is no iron, field strength and hence flux density is proportional to I1.

Force on each side of the moving coil

Torque produced on whole of the coil

It shows that the deflecting torque is proportional to the product of currents flowing in the fixed and the moving
coil.
Since, the instrument is spring controlled; the restoring or controlling torque is proportional to angular
deflection θ.
Electrodynamic (Electrodynamometer Instruments )

ADVANTAGES
• These instruments are free from hysteresis and eddy current losses.
• They can be used on both AC and DC.
• They are used as transfer instruments.

DISADVANTAGES –
•Costlier than PMMC and moving iron type.
•Low torque/weight ratio and hence low sensitivity.
•Non-uniform scale.
ELECTRODYNAMOMETER
WATTMETER
Working of Electrodynamometer Wattmeter
The Electrodynamometer wattmeter has two coils i.e.,
fixed and moving coils. The fixed coil is connected in
series with the circuit in order to measure power
consumption. The supply voltage is applied to the moving
coil. Current across the moving coil is controlled with the
help of a resistor, which is connected in series with it.
Moving coil on which pointer is fixed is placed in between
fixed coils. Two magnetic fields are generated due to the
current and voltage in the fixed coil and moving coil. The
pointer deflects as the two magnetic fields interact. The
deflection is proportional to the power that is flowing
through it.
Theory of Electrodynamometer Wattmeter
Electrostatic Instruments
Electrostatic Instrument
The instrument whose working depends on the principle of attraction or repulsion of electrodes
that carry electrical charges such type of instrument is known as the electrostatic instrument. In
other words, the instrument which uses the static electric field for producing the deflecting torque
is known as the electrostatic instrument. The electrostatic instrument is used for measuring the
high and low voltage and also the power of the given circuit.

Linear Type Electrostatic Instrument

The plates A become positively charged, and the plate B
becomes negatively charged. The positive charge plates
become fixed, and the negative plates become movable.
The spring is connected to the negatively charged plates
for controlling the movement.

When the voltage is applied to the plate, then the force of attraction induces between them. The plate tries to moves
towards A until the force becomes maximum. The C is the capacitance (in farad) between the plate. The expression gives
the total energy stores between the plates.
Rotary type Electrostatic Instrument
This type of instrument carries the rotary plates. Because of the movement of the rotary plate, the force of
attraction or repulsion occurs between them.
 Advantages of Electrostatic Instrument

1. Both the AC and DC voltage can be measured by using the electrostatic instrument.
2. The electrostatic type instrument consumes very less power.
3. The high value of voltage can be measured by using the instrument.
4. The instrument has less Waveform and frequency error.
5. No error occurs because of the stray magnetic field.
6. The instrument is designed for large voltage.

Disadvantages of Electrostatic type instrument

1. The non-uniform scale is used in the instrument.
2. The force of very small magnitude involves in the instrument.
3. The instrument is quite costly as compared to the other instrument.
4. The size of the instrument is also very large.
Electrothermal Instrument
Electrothermal Instrument

Definition: The instrument whose working depends on the heating effects of the
measuring current is known as the electrothermal or electrothermic instrument.
This device is used for measuring the high-frequency current.

Classification of Electrothermal Instruments

1.Hot Wire Instrument
2.Thermocouple Instrument
3.Bolometer
Electrothermal Instrument
Hot Wire Instrument
The hot wire instruments work on the principle that the
current passes through the coil increases the length of the wire.
The wire regains its shape with the help of the spring. The
expansion and contraction of the wire will deflect the pointer of
the meter. The increase in the length of the wire is equal to the
square of the current passes through it.

(299) Model of a Hot Wire Ammeter - YouTube

Electrothermal Instrument
Hot Wire Instrument

(299) Model of a Hot Wire Ammeter - YouTube

 Electrothermal Instrument
Thermocouple Instrument

Such type of instruments uses the thermocouple which converts the heat energy into electrical energy which is easily
measured through the meter. The measurand current passes through the junction of the thermocouples.
The current produces the heats in the heater, which is connected to the thermocouples. The thermocouples convert the
heat into an EMF which induces the current to passes through the meter.

(299) Thermocouple Explained | Working Principles -

YouTube
 Electrothermal Instrument
Thermocouple Instrument

(299) Thermocouple Explained | Working Principles -

YouTube
Electrothermal Instrument

Bolometer
The bolometer uses the resistive element whose resistance varies concerning the temperature. The measurand current
passes through the resistive element increases their temperature because of which the resistance of the element
increases. The variation in resistance determines the magnitude of current passes through it.

Temperature Sensor: Types, Working Principles, Advantages | Linquip

Electrothermal Instrument
Advantages of thermoelectric Instrument
The following are the advantages of thermoelectric Instrument.
• It directly indicates the RMS value of voltage and current on the waveform.
• Such type of instrument is free from the stray magnetic field.
• The thermic electric element is used for a wide range of current measurement.
• The instrument has a high sensitivity.
• It is useful for the calibration of the potentiometer with the help of the standard cell.
• The thermic element is free from the frequency error and hence used for the widest range of frequency.

Disadvantages of thermoelectric Instrument

The only disadvantage of the thermoelectric instrument is that their overload capacity is less as compared to the
other element.
 Rectifier Type Instrument
Rectifier type instrument measures the alternating voltage and current with the help of
rectifying elements and permanent magnet moving coil type of instruments
why we use rectifier type of instruments widely in the industrial world though we have
various other AC voltmeter like electrodynamometer type instruments, thermocouple type
instruments etc?

1. Cost of electrodynamometer type of instruments is quite high than rectifier type of

instruments. However rectifier type of instruments as much accurate as
electrodynamometer type of instruments. So rectifier type of instruments are preferred
over electrodynamometer type instruments.
2. The thermocouple instruments are more delicate than the rectifier type of instruments.
However thermocouple type of instruments is more widely used at very high
frequencies.
 Rectifier Type Instrument
Half Wave Rectifier Circuits

Let us consider a circuit given in which the rectifying element is connected in series with sinusoidal voltage source,
permanent magnet moving coil instrument and the multiplier resistor.
The function of this multiplier electrical resistance is to limit the current drawn by the permanent magnet moving
coil type of instrument. It is very essential to limit the current drawn by the permanent magnet moving coil
instrument because if the current exceeds the current rating of PMMC then it destructs the instrument.
Now here we divide our operation in two parts.
In first part we apply constant DC voltage to the above circuit. In the circuit diagram we are assuming the rectifying
element as ideal one. Let us mark the resistance of multiplier be R, and that of permanent magnet moving coil
instrument be R1.The DC voltage produces a full scale deflection of magnitude I=V/(R+R1) where V is root mean
square value of voltage.
 Rectifier Type Instrument
Half Wave Rectifier Circuits
Now let us consider second case, in this case we will apply AC
sinusoidal AC voltage to the circuit V =Vm × sin(wt) and we will get
the output waveform as shown.

In the positive half cycle the rectifying element will

conduct and in the negative half cycle it does not
conduct. So we will get a pulse of voltage at moving coil
instrument which produces pulsating current thus
pulsating current will produce pulsating torque.
The deflection produced will corresponds to the
average value of voltage.

Thus we conclude that the sensitivity of the ac input is 0.45 times the sensitivity of DC input in case of
half wave rectifier.
Rectifier Type Instrument
Full Wave Rectifier Circuits

We have used here a bridge rectifier circuit as shown. Again we divide our operation into two parts.
Let us consider first case here we applying DC voltage source to the circuit. Now the value of full scale deflection current in
this case is again V/(R+R1), where V is the root mean square value of the applied voltage, R is the resistance of the
resistance multiplier and R1 which is the electrical resistance of the instrument.
 Rectifier Type Instrument
Full Wave Rectifier Circuits

in this case we will apply ac sinusoidal voltage to

the circuit which is given v=Vmsin(wt) where Vm is
the peak value of the applied voltage. Thus
comparing it DC output we conclude that the
sensitivity with ac input voltage source is 0.9 times
the as in the case of DC input voltage source.

we can say that the sensitivity of the instrument along with AC is 90% with that of the DC.
 Factors Affecting the Performance of Rectifier Type Instruments

Effects of Waveform – The calibration of the rectifier instrument can be done regarding the RMS value of voltage and
current. The form factor of the half wave and the full wave rectifier type instrument fixes on the calibrated scale. And if
the waveform of the other form factors applies to the device, the waveform error occurs in the reading.
Effect of Temperature Change – The resistance of the rectifying element varies with the change in temperature. And
this property of the rectifying component causes the error in the instruments.
Effect of Rectifying Instrument – The rectifier instrument has the property of the imperfect capacitance. It allows the
high-frequency current to pass through it.
Decreases in Sensitivity – The sensitivity of the rectifier type instrument for AC operation is lower than that of the DC
operation.
Advantages of Rectifying Instrument

The following are the advantages of the rectifiers instruments.

• The frequency range of the instruments increases from 20HZ to high-frequency range.
• The current operating range for such type of instrument is much lower for voltmeter as compared to the
other AC instrument.
• The instrument has uniform scales for the large range.
• The accuracy of the instrument is ±5 percent when it is in normal operating condition.
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