AIM
TO STUDY THE CONSTRUCTION AND
APPLICATION OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
2. COMPONENTS OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
3. CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION
4. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE
5. EXAMPLE CIRCUIT
6. APPLICATIONS OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
7. LIMITATIONS OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
8. SUMMARY
9. PRECAUTIONS
10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit design dating
back to the early 1800's. It is named for its most famous
user, Sir Charles Wheatstone.The Wheatstone bridge circuit
was invented by Samuel Hunter Christie (1784-1865) and
first described in 18331 . Sir Wheatstone actually called the
circuit a “Differential Resistance Measurer.”
The Wheatstone bridge is one of the most sensitive and
precise methods of measuring small changes in resistance.
This is possible through its use of transducers (devices
which change one form of energy into another, such as
mechanical to electrical or electrical to mechanical). The
Wheatstone bridge incorporates one or more electrical
transducers that change resistance as a result of an
environmental change or input (e.g., temperature, pressure,
stress). This change is sensed by the circuitry of the
Wheatstone bridge which provides a useable electrical
output (voltage) representative of the input.
The Wheatstone bridge is widely used today in both macro-
sized and micro-sized sensors. This unit will describe the
basics of the Wheatstone bridge circuit.
COMPONENTS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
A resistor with an unknown resistance value
Two resistors (with known resistance value)
Rheostat
Voltage/ DC source
Galvanometer
Connecting wires
Circuit construction
Construction of wheatstone bridge
CIRCUIT
CONSTRUCTION
A wheatstone bridge is a bridge-type structure having four
resistors , three of known and one of unknown value.
Here R1 , R2 , and R3 have known values among which R2 is
adjustable and finally Rx is the value to be measured. Along
with these resistances, a galvanometer (Vg) is there between
B and D, and a DC supply between A and C.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Now according to the wheastone bridge principle if the ratio
of the two resistances (R1/R2) on one edge is equal to the
ratio of the two resistances (R3/Rx) on another edge then
there will be no flow of current between the midpoints of the
two edges of resistance. This condition of the bridge is
known as the balanced bridge condition.
In the balanced bridge condition, the current through the
galvanometer is zero and also the voltage difference
between the points B&D becomes zero, i.e., at both pints
voltage level would be the same.
Writing equations for the balance bridge condition would
look like:
R1/R2=R3/Rx (or) R1*Rx=R2*R3
Thus, Rx=R3*(R2/R1)
This detection of zero current in galvanometer is of high
precision of known values, the unknown resistance can be
found with the highest rate of accuracy and precision.
In the wheatstone bridge experiment, one resistor should
always be variable in order to obtain a balanced condition.
The circuit performs at its best when the regulated voltage
source is used, instead of the current with repelling
characteristics.
EXAMPLE CIRCUIT
Let us consider the below circuit where the bridge is in an
unbalanced condition and we need to calculate the voltage
difference between Q1 and Q2, i.e, volt and hence the value
of R4 needed to make the bridge balanced.
Example of wheatstone bridge as per the voltage division
law,
Vq1=(R3/(R3+R1)) * Vs , where Vs=100 volts (voltage
source)
Putting values of R3 =40 ohms , R1=50 ohms , and Vs=100
volts , we get
Vq1= 44.4 volts
Similarly, Vq2 = (R4/(R4+R2)) * Vs
Putting the values , R4= 50ohms , R2= 100 ohms , and VS=
100 volts, we get
Vq2=33.3
Thus ,volt can be found as,
Volt=Vq1-Vq2
So, volt=44.4 - 33.3 = 11.1 volts
Now to make the bridge balanced , we can find a suitable
value for R4 as done below:
R4 = R2 * (R3/R1)
Putting the values of R1 , R2 , and R3 , we have
R4 = 100 * (40/50)
R4 = 80 volts
Therefore, R4 = 80 volts is the value of resistor which should
be used to make the bridge in a balanced condition.
APPLICATIONS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Used in Light detecting devices.
For measuring the changes in the pressure.
For measuring the changes in the strain of the circuit.
Used for the sensing of mechanical and electrical
quantities.
Also, photo resistive devices use this circuit.
Thermometers also use wheatstone bridges for the
temperature measurements which need to be accurate.
Value like capacitance , inductance , impedance , etc.
can be measured with some variations in the
wheatstone bridge circuit.
LIMITATIONS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Along with all these advantages , there are a
few limitations of the wheatstone bridge as
well, such as:
Reading may be inaccurate under unbalanced
conditions.
The range of measured resistance varies from
a few ohms to mega ohms.
Susceptibility for high DC current is not there.
SUMMARY
Created in 1833, popularized in 1840s
Wheatstone bridges are one of the best methods of
measuring resistance due to the basic mathematical
ratio involved.
Accurate standards with sensitive enough voltmeter,
measurements of resistance within .05% can be
reached.
Many calibration laboratories still use this method
today.
The Wheatstone Bridge are replaceable; however, for
its simplicity and versatility the circuit is an
indispensible piece of technology.
PRECAUTIONS
Clean the connecting wires properly.
Hold the jockey perpendicular to the wire.
All connections should be neat and tight.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Website
• www.wikipedia.org
• www.google.com
2. BOOKS:
• Comprehensive Practical Manual
• NCERT Class XII
