8.

14 ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT AND MEASUR ING

INSTRUMENTS
C; - Cr = CiR - CzR or oCr2 - 0Ciri = o(C,R -
D,- D, = oC;R - CzR,) CzR)
But C/C; = R4/Ry C= CRJR,
Hence
D, - D, = 0C RR4
R3 -K) ..8.34)
Therefore, if the dissipation factor of one of the capacitors is known, the dissipation factor for
other can be determined.
This mcthod docs not give accurae results for dissipation factor since its value depends
difference
of quantitics RR/R, and R. These quantities are moderately large and their difference is very smal we
since this difference cannot be known with ahigh degree accuracy the dissipation factor cannot be determi
acvurately.
WS6.2. Schering Bridge. The conncctions and phasor diagram of the bridge under balance Conditione
are shown in Fig 8.l1.

-E b E

Eg -1, R,

Ez ---E
E,Ez
(a)
(b)
Fig. 8.11. Low voltage Schering Bridge.
Let C =capacitor whose capacitance is to be
r =a series resistance representing the determined,
C = a standard capacitor. This loss in the capacitor C).
capacitor is either an air or a gas capacitor and
loss free. However, if necessary, a correction hences
capacitor. may be made for the loss angle of this
R=a non-inductive resistance,
Cy = avariable capacitor,
and Ry = a variable non-inductive
resistance in parallel with variable capacitor
At balance, C4

Or
Ra
joCy (1 +joCyR4)
R3 R;R4C4
=-j
C:
 8.15
A.C. BRIDGES

...(8.35)
C/C
Equating the real and imaginary terms, we obtain r = R, ...(8.36)
and C;= C; (R4/R3) variable elements.
obtained if Ca and RA are chosen as the
Two independent balance equations are x (R;CHC;) = 0CaRy ...8.37)
Dissipation factor D, = tan S= 0Cr; = 0. (CzR|R;) values of bridge
dissipation factor are obtained from the
Therefore values of capacitanc C, and its
elements at balance.
up Schering bridges are sometimes arranged so that balancing is done by adjustment
Permanently set and therefore
Since R3 appears in both the balance equations
of R, and C4 with Ch and R4 remaining fixed.
has certain advantages as explained below:
there is some difficulty in obtaining balance but it
and since Ra and C, are fixed, the dial of resistor
The equation for capacitance is C = (Ry/R) C,
R may be calibrated to read the capacitance directly.
Dissipation factor D, =0CR4 and in case the frequency is
fixed the dial of capacitor C4 can be
calibrated to read the dissipation factor directly.
of R is kept fixed at 3,180 S2.
Let us say that the working frequency is 50 Hz and the value
.. Dissipation factor D,= 2TT x 50X 3180x C4 = C4 x 106.
directly gives the value of the
Since CA is a variable decade capacitance box, its setting in uF
dissipation factor.
It should, however, be understood that the calibration for
dissipation factor holds good for one particular frequency, but may
be used at another frequency if correction is. made by multiplying
by the ratio of frequencies.
8.6,3. High Voltage Schering Bridge. Schering bridge is
widely used for capacitance and dissipation factor measurements.
In fact Schering bridge is one of the most important of the a.c.
bridges. It is extensively used in the measurement of capacitance
in general, and in particular in the measurement of the properties
of insulators, capacitor bushings, insulating oil and other insulating
materials. This bridge is particularly suitable for small capacitances,
and is then usually supplied from a high frequency or a high votlage
source. The measurements done on small capacitances suffer from
many disadvantages if carried out at low voltages. High voltage
Schering bridge is certainly preferable for such measurements.
The special features of a high voltage Schering bridge shown
in Fig. 8.12, are explained below :
1. The high voltage supply is obtained from a transformer
usually at 50 Hz. The detector, in this case, is a vibration
galvanometer. Fig. 8.12. High votlage Schering Bridge.
2. Arms ab and ad each contain only a capacitor and these capacitors are designed for high voltage
work. The impedance of these two arms are very high in comparison with the other arms, bc and dc. Thus
the major portion of potential drop will be in the arms ab and ad and very little voltage drop is there across
the arms bc and dc. The point c is earthed. Such is the large magnitude of impedancesin arms ab and ad,
that even if a voltage as high as 100 kV is applied to the bridge, the voltage across arms bc and dc is a
Tew volt above earth. This is certainly a great advantage as the controls are located in arms bc and dc and
Tor the safety of the operator, these controls should be and are at low potential with respect to earth. For
Ihe same reason the detector is also at a low potential.
case
3. It is necessary to prevent dangerous high voltages appearing across arms bc and ac in the
o breakdown of eiher ofthe high voltage capacitors. This is done by connecting aspark gap, (set to breakdown
at about 100 V) across each of the arms bc and dc.