EXTENSION OF RANGE
• The range of measuring instruments can be extended suitably by connecting a
resistance in series or shunt as the case may be.
• If the range of an ammeter is to be extended, a ‘shunt’ resistance of a value lower
than the meter resistance is connected in parallel with the meter
• The value of the resistance to be connected depends on the current to be
measured.
EXTENSION OF RANGE
Let
• I = total current to be measured
• Is = current through the shunt
• Im = maximum current that can be permitted through the meter
• R = resistance of the meter
• Rs = shunt resistance
EXTENSION OF RANGE
• The ratio of the total current to the instrument current I / Im is called the
multiplying power of the shunt. This is usually expressed as N.
• The shunts are available commercially. They consist of one or more thin strips of
manganin, the ends of which are soldered to two heavy copper blocks.
• A special pair of leads are usually supplied with ammeters intended to be used.
• Manganin has low temperature coefficient. Therefore, it will not get heated up.
The shunts will have good heat radiation ability.
EXTENSION OF RANGE
• The range of voltmeters can be extended in a similar way by connecting a high resistance in
series with the meter, so that only the permeable maximum current passes through the meter
Thus, the value of Rs to be connected in series with the meter to extend its voltage
range from Vm to V can be calculated.