Scribd
Upload
291 views

Lab 06: Wheatstone Bridge, Delta To Wye and Wye To Delta Transformation

The document describes an experiment using a Wheatstone bridge to measure unknown resistances. It also covers delta-wye and wye-delta transformations of resistor networks. For the Wheatstone bridge, resistors of known and unknown value are connected and balanced by adjusting a potentiometer until no current flows through a voltmeter. This allows calculating the unknown resistance. Delta-wye and wye-delta transformations allow simplifying resistor networks by converting between the two configurations using mathematical relationships. The experiment aims to verify these transformations by measuring voltages and currents in both a delta and equivalent wye network.

Uploaded by

Souban Javed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
291 views

Lab 06: Wheatstone Bridge, Delta To Wye and Wye To Delta Transformation

The document describes an experiment using a Wheatstone bridge to measure unknown resistances. It also covers delta-wye and wye-delta transformations of resistor networks. For the Wheatstone bridge, resistors of known and unknown value are connected and balanced by adjusting a potentiometer until no current flows through a voltmeter. This allows calculating the unknown resistance. Delta-wye and wye-delta transformations allow simplifying resistor networks by converting between the two configurations using mathematical relationships. The experiment aims to verify these transformations by measuring voltages and currents in both a delta and equivalent wye network.

Uploaded by

Souban Javed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Lab 06: Wheatstone bridge, Delta to Wye and Wye

to Delta transformation

Pre Lab

Wheatstone Bridge
The Wheatstone bridge gives a precise method to measure resistance against a known standard.
Within a Wheatstone bridge, a comparative device measures two additional relative resistances
from two separate resistors. The relative resistance equals the lengths of a divided wire wound
in a coil of a potentiometer, a device allowing the manipulation of this resistance ration. Thus,
the Wheatstone bridge utilizes repetitive comparisons of potentials to find the potential settings.
In this experiment, a voltmeter is used as the null detector and is placed as shown in Fig. 1. The
Wheatstone bridge achieves balance when the following condition is satisfied and no current
flows through the voltmeter.

𝑅1 𝑅𝑥
=
𝑅2 𝑅𝑠

𝑅1
𝑅𝑥 = 𝑅
𝑅2 𝑠

Figure 1

In Lab

Objectives
 To find the value of unknown resistor using Wheatstone bridge.
 To verify experimentally the principle of delta-wye and wye-deltatransformation.

EquipmentRequired
Fixed Resistors, Variable Resistor, DMM, Breadboard, DC Power Supply, Connecting wires

Knowledge Level
Before working on this lab you should have a basic understanding of the use of DMM for
resistance meter, ammeter and voltmeter. Student should be able to use voltage divider rule.
Task (1): Measure Unknown Resistance using Wheatstone Bridge
Task 1. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 6.1, using a potentiometer for a known
resistance𝑅𝑠 .
Task 2. Balance the bridge by moving the slider of the potentiometer. The current flow (or the
voltage drop) through the voltmeter must be zero.
Task 3. When the bridge is in the balanced state, measure𝑅1 ,𝑅2 ,𝑅𝑠 and 𝑅𝑥 using a DMM.
Task 4. Use Wheatstone bridge relationship and determine𝑅𝑥 .
Task 5. Find the error in the resistance value and note these readings in Table 6.2.
Task 6. Repeat this experiment twice for two different values of 𝑅𝑠 by rebalancing the bridge
in accordance with the new resistance values.

Theory: Verification of Delta-Wye and Wye-Delta Conversion


Situations open arise in circuit analysis when the resistors are neither in parallel nor in series.
Many circuits of the type can be simplified by using three terminal equivalent networks. These
networks are the Wye(Y) or Tee (T) and the Delta (∆) or Pi (π) (as shown in Fig. 6.3). These
networks occur by themselves or as part of larger network. They are used in three-phase
networks, electrical filters and matching networks.

Sometimes it is more convenient to work with


a Delta Network in place where the circuit
contains a Wye configuration and vice-versa.
In such situations it is convenient to transform
the given circuit to its equivalent circuit. The
following relations hold for transforming
resistive networks:

Figure 2: Delta to Wye conversion


Measurement Table 1:
R1 (Ω) R2 (Ω) R3 (Ω) Rx(Ω) using Wheatstone Rx(Ω) Using DMM Error
Bridge (%)

- - - - - -

- - - - - -

Table 6.1

Task (2): Verification of Equivalence of Delta-Wye and Wye-Delta Conversion


Task 1. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 6.4 (a) using 3kΩ resistors and identify the nodes
A, Band C containing the Delta configuration of resistors.
Task 2. Prior to converting this Delta configuration, first determine voltage across the resistors
𝑅𝐴𝐵 , 𝑅𝐴𝐶 , 𝑅𝐵𝐶 , 𝑅4 and 𝑅5 . Also determine the currents flowing through these resistors and
note these reading in Table 6.3. In Table 6.3 𝐸 is the voltage between the nodes (e.g. nodes
A and B for 𝑅𝐴𝐵 ) while 𝐼 is the current through resistor (e.g.𝑅𝐴𝐵 ) and so on.

(a)
(b)

Figure 3
Task 3. Next convert the Delta to its equivalent Wye circuit. For conversion to hold true the
voltage difference between the nodes in the converted circuit must be same as that of the
difference between the nodes of the original delta circuit.

Task 4. Converted circuit as shown in Fig. 6.4 (b) contains a Wye instead of a Delta. Values of
the resistances determined using the relationships mentioned above should be equal to 1kΩ.
Task 5. Determine the voltage across all the resistors and current through them and note the
values in Table 6.4.
Task 6. The voltage difference between nodes in the Wye circuit and corresponding nodes in
delta circuit should be same. Do keep in mind the positive/negative signs while taking the
voltage difference.

Measurement Table 2:
𝑹𝑪𝑫 / 𝑹𝟓
Voltage/ 𝑹𝑨𝑩 Ω 𝑹𝑩𝑪 Ω 𝑹𝑨𝑪 Ω 𝑹𝑩𝑫 (𝑹𝟒 )Ω
(Ω)
Current
3k 3k 3k 3k 3k

E (V) 5 5 5 5 5

I (mA) 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6

Table 6.2 Delta Circuit

RCD/ R5
Voltage/ RAB(Ω) RBC(Ω) RAC(Ω) RBD/ R4(Ω)
(Ω)
Current
3k 3k 3k 3k 3k

E (V) 5 5 5 5 5

I (mA) 3.3 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6

Table 6.3 Wye Circuit

Figure 4: Shows Wye circuit

Calculations:
Post Lab:
1. How is the operation of Wheatstone bridge affected by changes in the input power
supply voltage? Would there be an advantage in using a higher voltage?

The operation of the Wheatstone bridge would not be affected by changing the input power
supply as Wheatstone bridge is designed in such a way that the values of all the resistors are
equal due to which the voltage becomes zero through the voltmeter. So if we change the input
voltage supply then there would be no affect as the ratio of the resistors on both side of the
voltmeter is same and equal.

2. Wheatstone bridge can be used to determine resistance of resistors made of a variety


of materials. Is it possible to adapt Wheatstone bridge for determining hot resistance
of an electric lamp? Explain your response.

No, It is impossible to adapt Wheatstone bridge for determining the hot resistance of an electric
lamp. This is because the current that is used by the meter to detect the balance point has to
come through the resistor that is being measured. So, we might be trying to detect the balance
point when the meter is actually reading zero. The hotness of the resistor means it is a very
high resistance. So, in high resistors there is always a minimum flow of current.

3. How much voltage needs to be dropped across resistor R1 in order to make voltage
VAB equal to zero (as shown in Figure)?How much resistance must R1 possess in order
to drop that amount of voltage?

Using voltage divider rule to find the voltage

V1 = (R1/R1+R2+R3+R4)*V

V1 = (20/20+60+30+10)*36

V1 = 6V

Now to find R1

R1/R2 = Rx/Rs

R1 = (Rx/Rs)*R2

R1 = (10/30*60) = 20kΩ
4. Find the value of 𝐑 𝐞𝐪 for the circuit given below when the switch is open and when the
switch is closed?

When switch is open:


𝟏𝟎×𝟏𝟎+𝟏𝟎×𝟏𝟎+𝟏𝟎×𝟏𝟎
(Convert to Delta) => 𝐑 = 𝟏𝟎

R = 30 Ω

30//10 = 7.5

30//10 = 7.5

Converting 30, 7.5 and 7.5 delta into wye configuration:

𝟏𝟎 + 𝟓//𝟏𝟎 + 𝟓 = 𝟕. 𝟓

𝟕. 𝟓 + 𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 = 𝟖. 𝟕𝟓Ω

When switch is closed:

10 + 7.5//10 + 7.5 = 8.75 Ω

Critical Analysis / Conclusion


The Wheatstone bridge gives a precise method to measure resistance against a known standard.
Within a Wheatstone bridge, a comparative device measures two additional relative resistances from
two separate resistors. The relative resistance equals the lengths of a divided wire wound in a coil
of a potentiometer, a device allowing the manipulation of this resistance ration. Thus, the
Wheatstone bridge utilizes repetitive comparisons of potentials to find the potential settings.
Lab Assessment

Total (10)
Pre-
In-Lab (5)
Lab (1) Post-Lab (4)

Attend Implementation/ Data Data Writing


ance/T Procedure/Resul Presentation Analysis Style
ask ts

You might also like