E3042 – INSTRUMENTATION 1

POLITEKNIK MERLIMAU
JABATAN KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRIK

EXPERIMENT 3

1.0 TOPIC
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE (MEASUREMENT OF RESISTORS)

2.0 OBJECTIVE
At the end of this experiment, students should be able to:-
2.1 To known the principles of the basic Wheatstone Bridge circuit for resistance
measurement.
2.2 To apply the expression for calculating an unknown resistance R4 from the
bridge values at balance

3.0 THEORY
Bridge circuits are categorized as a comparison type measuring instrument, it is
widely used in measuring resistance, inductance, capacitance and impedance. Basic
bridge circuits operate an a null-indication principle. This means the indication is
independent of the calibration of the indicating device or any characteristics of it. For
this reason, very high degree of accuracy can be achieved using bridges.

The Wheatstone Bridge consists of two parallel branches and a voltage source is
connected across this resistance network. Galvanometer as shown in Figure 3.1 is
connected between the parallel branches to detect a balance condition.

RX = R2 . R3 .........................................(3.1)
R1

R1 R2

G
R3 RX

Figure 3.1

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4.0 APPARATUS
4.1 Power Supply
4.2 Galvanometer
4.3 R1 = 330 Ω
R2 = 680 Ω
R3 = 5 kΩ (Variable)
Rx = Unknown value

5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1 Calculate the resistance value of R1, R2 and Rx using the colour code and fill up
into Table 3.1.
5.2 Measure the resistance value for each resistors using a digital multimeter and
fill up into Table 3.1.
5.3 Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3.2.
5.4 Adjust the power supply to 10V and turn it ON.
5.5 Adjust R3 until the galvanometer reaches ‘0’ reading (during this state the
wheatstone bridge is balancing.)
5.6 Turn OFF the power supply.
5.7 Take out R3 and measure its resistance value using a digital multimeter and fill
up into Table 3.1.
5.8 Calculate the unknown resistance of Rx by using formula 3.1.

R1 R2
10 V
G

R3 RX

Figure 3.2

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6.0 RESULTS

Resistance
Colour code calculation Measurement

R1

R2

R3

R4

Table 3.1

Answer for Procedure 5.8 :

7.0 QUESTIONS:

7.1 Describe the term of null balance.

7.2 Discuss the factors that affecting the reading of resistance from the colour code and the
measurement.
7.3 Prove the equation 3.1.

8.0 DISCUSSION

9.0 CONCLUSION

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10.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

10.1 LABORATORY
Cooperation : ( / 5 marks)
Discipline : ( / 5 marks)
Results : ( / 5 marks)

TOTAL :

10.2 REPORT
Report : ( / 10 marks)
Result : ( / 10 marks)
Questions : ( / 15 marks)
Analysis/Calculation
Discussion : ( / 20 marks)
Conclusion : ( / 15 marks)

TOTAL :