Kuwait University Electrical Engineering Department Measurement & Instrumentation Laboratory

Variable Length Transducers

By Eng. Ahmad Haitham

Objectives:
To confirm the relationship between the length and the resistance of a material. Also to observe how the relationship may be used in a variable length transducer.

Knowledge Required:
Understand the relationship .

Theory:
The formula of the resistance of an object is:

From the formula it can be seen that the resistance of an object is directly proportional to the length of the object. To show the variation in resistance with length an apparatus is required which allow the length to be changed while keeping the resistivity and cross-section area constant. The provided TK294K offer a proper way of achieving this. The TK294K has three connections. Two of these connections are made directly to the resistive element, one at each end of it; the third connection is made to a sliding contact which may travel up and down the resistive element. The position of this sliding contact may be varied by pushing to pulling the threaded connecting rod. The schematic symbol, of the transducer is as shown in figure 1(a) and the TK294K in figure 1(b).

Figure 1

By using one of the fixed connections and the sliding connection a resistive element may be made whose effectively length varies with the position of the slider, but whose resistivity and cross-section area remain constant. This is the situation that we desire. Assemble the TK294K onto the TK294 by aligning the two holes in the assembly with the two pins on the sub-unit, and then dropping the sub-unit into place. The sub-unit is the secured to the assembly by tightening screw. The sub-unit includes a return spring and is operated by pressure applied to the end of the operating rod by the micrometer shaft.

Equipment Required:
TK2941A module, TK2941B, Variable resistor Sub-unit TK294K, TK294 linear transducer test rig, decade resistance box and a DC voltmeter. Let us investigate the circuit. Set up your module as in figure 2.

Figure 2

Position the slider of the TK294 at the 10mm point on the scale, and note this position from the scale, using the engraved line on the front face of the slider, first setting the micrometer to 10mm. Set the variable dc to 10V. Balance the bridge and find the resistance. Move the slider 5mm to the left and read its position to the scale. Rebalance the bridge and measure the resistance. Repeat. Fill table 1. Slider position Resistance mm () 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Table 1

Discussion:
1- Does the resistance of the transducer change with the position of the slider? 2- Plot graphs of resistance and conductance against the length. Can you see any relationship between resistance and the length of rod? How is this relationship?