CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project titled“moving coil

galvanometer” has been completed sincerely and
satisfactory by Devansh Arora, student of Class
12th (Science– PCM) of St Thomas school ,
Jagadhri, for the academic year 2024-2025 .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all
those who have contributed towards the successful
completion of this project.
First and foremost, I am deeply thankful to my
Physics teacher, Mr. Karan Sharma, for their
invaluable guidance, constant support, and
encouragement throughout the project. Their
expertise and insights were instrumental in helping
me understand the concepts and complete this
work.
I would also like to extend my thanks to my school
for providing the necessary resources and
environment to complete this project. The facilities
and support offered were crucial in carrying out the
work efficiently.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to my
family for their continuous support, motivation, and
understanding throughout the project.
This project would not have been possible without
the help and encouragement of these wonderful
individuals. Thank you all for your contributions.

Devansh Arora
XII Non-Medical ‘A’

OBJECTIVE
To study the basic schematic structure of a moving coil
galvanometer and the basic process underlying the
conversion of moving coil galvanometer into an ammeter
and a voltmeter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Construction of a Galvanometer
 Working
 Sensitivity
 Conversion of Galvanometer into Voltmeter
 Conversion of Galvanometer into Ammeter
 Uses of Galvanometer

INTRODUCTION

A Moving Coil Galvanometer (MCG) is a type of

electrical instrument used to measure small
electric currents by utilizing the magnetic
effect of current. It is one of the most sensitive
types of galvanometers, widely used in
laboratories for detecting low-level currents.
The working principle of the moving coil
galvanometer is based on the interaction
between a magnetic field and the current
flowing through a coil, which produces a torque
that causes the coil to rotate.

CONSTRUCTION OF
GALVANOMETER

It consists of a rectangular coil of thin

insulated copper wire having a large number of
turns.The horse shoe magnet has cylindrical
concave pole -pieces.Due to the shape, the
magnet produces radial magnetic field so that
when coil rotates in any position its plane is
always parallel to direction of magnetic field.
When current flows through the coil it gets
deflected. A soft iron cylinder is fixed inside the
coil such that the coil can rotate freely between
the poles and around the cylinder. Due to the
high permittivity, the soft iron core increases
the strength of the radial magnetic field.

WORKING
When the current to be calculated is passed
through the coil, the coil experiences a
deflecting torque resulting in turning of the
coil. The coil turns, the wire gets twisted such
that restoring couple develops in the wire in
opposite direction. Let n be the number of
turns of the coil, A to the area of the coil, B is
the magnetic induction field, and I is the
current through the coil. The coil experiences a
constant and maximum deflecting torque as
the plane of the coil is parallel to the magnetic
field.

Where C is the restoring couple per twist and

θ is the deflection of the coil, then restoring
torque is given as

The deflecting torque is equal to the restoring

torque when it is in equilibrium position.

Thus, a galvanometer is capable of indicating

even small values of current in the circuit
because of which it is also used to detect if any
amount of current is flowing in the circuit or
not. Here, when no current is flowing through
the circuit, the pointer remains undeflected ,
that is, at the mean position and depending
upon the direction of the current in the circuit,
the pointer deflects to the right or to the left.

SENSITIVITY
The current sensitivity of a galvanometer is
defined as the deflection produced when unit
current passes through the galvanometer. A
galvanometer is said to be sensitive if it
produces large deflection for small current.

There are two types of sensitivity:

 Current sensitivity
 Voltage sensitivity
How to increase sensitivity of Moving coil
Galvanometer?
Following are the parameters which help in
increasing sensitivity of moving coil
galvanometer depends on :
 Number of turns(n) of the coil
  Area of the coil (A)
 Magnetic induction (B)
 Couple per unit twist of the suspension,
fibre(k)

Conversion of Galvanometer into

Voltmeter
Voltmeter is an instrument used to measure
potential difference between the two ends of
current carrying conductor . A galvanometer
can be converted into voltmeter by connecting
a high resistance in series with it. The scale is
calibrated in volt. The value of resistance
connected in series decides the range of
voltmeter.

Galvanometer resistance= G
The current required to produce full scale
deflection in the galvanometer= Ig
Range of voltmeter= V
Resistance to be connected in series= R
Since R is connected in series with the
galvanometer , the current through the
galvanometer,

From the equation the resistance to be

connected in series with the galvanometer is
calculated.
The effective resistance of the voltmeter is

Rv is very large and hence a voltmeter is

connected in parallel in a circuit as draw the
least current from the circuit. In other words ,
the resistance of the voltmeter should be very
large compared to resistance across which the
voltmeter is connected to measure the
potential difference.

Conversion of
Galvanometer into Ammeter

A galvanometer is a device used to detect flow

of current in an electrical circuit .Even though
the deflection is directly proportional to the
current , the Galvanometer scale is not marked
in ampere. Being a very sensitive instrument ,
a large current cannot be passed through
Galvanometer , as it may damage the
coil.However, a galvanometer is converted into
ammeter by connecting a low resistance in
parallel with it .As a result when large current
flows in circuit only of small fraction of current
passes through the Galvanometer and the
remaining larger portion of the current passes
through the low resistance . The low resistance
connected in parallel with the Galvanometer is
called shunt resistance.

The value of shunt resistance depends on the

fraction of the total current required to be
passed through Galvanometer.Let Igmaximum
current that can be passed through the
Galvanometer .The current Ig will give full
scale deflection in the galvanometer .

Since the galvanometer and shunt resistance

are parallel, potential is common.
The effective resistance of the ammeter Ra is
(G in parallel with S)

Ra is very low and this explain why an

ammeter should be connected in series. When
connected in series, the ammeter does not
appreciably change the resistance and current
in the circuit.

Advantages of Moving coil

Galvanometer
  Strong magnetic field cannot affect the
moving coil galvanometer.
 The ratio of torque to weight is high.
 The scales used are uniform
 The results obtained our reliable and
accurate.

Disadvantages of moving coil

galvanometer
 Change in restoring torque is a result of
change in temperature.
 It is not easy to change restoring torque.
 Helical restoring spring might get damaged
due to severe stress.
 Moving coil galvanometer can be used only
for the measurement of direct current .

Uses of Galvanometer
 Measuring Small Currents:
Galvanometers are designed to detect
small currents, especially in the range of
microamperes.
  Current Detection: It is used in
laboratories for detecting the presence of
current in a circuit.
 Measuring Voltage: When calibrated, it
can be used as a voltmeter.
 Wheatstone Bridge: It is used in a
Wheatstone bridge for measuring
resistance by detecting the null point.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the galvanometer is an essential

instrument in the field of physics for measuring
small electric currents. Throughout this project,
we have explored the principle of operation,
construction, and applications of the
galvanometer, particularly focusing on the
moving coil galvanometer. By understanding its
working, based on the interaction between a
magnetic field and the current-carrying coil, we
realize the significance of this instrument in
detecting even the tiniest currents.
This project has not only enhanced my
understanding of the galvanometer’s role but
also provided hands-on experience in its
operation, reinforcing theoretical concepts with
practical application.