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A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by connecting a very small resistance,
called shunt, across its terminals. This resistance can be calculated if the internal resistance
of the galvanometer and maximum current which it can draw for full scale deflection are
known. Suppose internal resistance of the galvanometer is µRg¶ and current required for
full scale deflection is µIg¶ which is very small. If the current passing through the
galvanometer exceeds this value, its needle goes out of scale. Now if it is required to
measure current µI¶ which is very very large as compared to µIg' then another resistance is
connected across the terminals of the galvanometer in such a way that (I ± Ig) current
passes through this resistance and only Ig current passes through the coil of the
galvanometer. So that the resistance shares the extra burden put upon the galvanometer.
The extra burden put on the galvanometer is (I ± Ig) amperes. So the value of the resistance
connected across the galvanometer should be so calculated that it allows exactly (I ± Ig)
amperes of current to pass through it. Hence the galvanometer in combination with
calculated resistance can be used to read µI¶ amperes current.


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Weston type galvanometer, high resistance box, low resistance box, two plug keys,
ammeter of range 0  1 amp., rheostat, battery, connecting wires and screw gauge.




 






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The resistance of the galvanometer can be found by Half deflection method described
below:

1. Œomplete the circuit as shown in the Fig. above µG¶ is a galvanometer, K1 and K2
are the plug keys, µR¶ is the high resistance box µS¶ is a low resistance box and B is the
battery.
 2. Take out 5000 ohms resistance from the resistance box µR¶. Introduce the plug in
the key µK1¶. (Suppose the total number of divisions on the galvanometer scale is 30).
Adjust the
resistance in µR¶ so that the galvanometer needle resets at its 30th division i.e. it gives full
scale deflection.
3. Introduce the plug in key µK2¶ as well, the deflection in the galvanometer will
decrease. Take out a certain resistance µS1¶ from the resistance box µS¶ in such a way that
for this value of resistance, the galvanometer gives half scale deflection i.e. the needle of
the galvanometer rests at 15th division of the scale.
4. Take out plug from key K2 and introduce plug in the K1. Adjust the resistance R
to get a deflection of 20 division in the galvanometer. Œlose key K2 also and by adjusting S,
bring the needle back to 10th division. Let the resistance in S be µS2¶.

# 

% 

No of
Obs. Deflection in Resistance from the low Internal resistance
galvanometer Resistance box µS¶ for of galvanometer
half deflection µS¶ (ohms) Rg = S (Ohms)

1 30 divisions S1 = 140 ohm 140 ohm

2 29 S2 =140 ohm 140 ohm
3 28 S3=140 ohm 140 ohm

 



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1. Îeasure the voltage of the battery by a voltmeter. Suppose it is µE¶ volts.
2. Then make the circuit as shown in Fig. below. Take out 5000 ohms resistance
from R.B. and introduce the plug in key K. Adjust the resistance, either by increasing it or
by decreasing it, so that galvanometer gives full scale deflection. Note the value of
resistance µR¶ in R.B. for this deflection and calculate Ig as under:-
Ig = (E / R + Rg) amperes
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This step does not involve any practical set up. It can be calculated theoretically. The Fig.
below is used to explain this step only.

Suppose the required value of resistance is µX¶ which, when connected across the
galvanometer, gives full scale deflection with the help of battery µB¶ supplying current µI¶
amperes.
In this case potential difference across galvanometer is equal to the potential difference
across µX¶ i.e.

IgRg=(I±Ig)X
or
X = (IgRg / I ± Ig)
Knowing Ig, Rg and I, µX¶ can be calculated. (I = I ampere i.e. the range of the ammeter).

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We know that the specific resistance µS¶ of the wire is given by

S = X (A / L)
where µA¶ the area, L the length and X the resistance of the wire to be used
Ifµd¶ is the diameter of the wire,
then, S = X(ʌd2 / 4L) (A = ʌd2 / 4)
or L = (X / S) (ʌd2 / 4) cm.
Knowing x, d and s (from tables) the length of the wire can be calculated.
( As the value of µX¶ is very small, the common connecting copper wire should be
used for connecting it across the galvanometer. The lengths of the wires of other materials
having resistance µX¶ will be very small, even less than the distance between the terminals
of the galvanometer
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1. Œonnect the copper wire of calculated length across the galvanometer. This
arrangement, shown in Fig. below converts the galvanometer into an ammeter, whose 30
divisions read one ampere current. So the value of each division of the galvanometer is (1 /
30) ampere.

2. Introduce plug in key µKey¶ adjust the rheostat in such a way that the
galvanometer gives full scale deflection. It means that the current read by it is one ampere.
If the ammeter A, connected in the circuit, also shows one ampere reading, then the
conversion is perfectly all right.
3. Verify it by adjusting the rheostat, so that the galvanometer gives half scale
deflection, the reading in the ammeter will also be (1 / 2) ampere.

No Deflection in High Resistance µR¶ ohms Îaximum Œurrent

of Galvanometer (ș) I = E/R+Rg
Obs
1 30 9260 3.19*10 ^ - 4
2 29 9500 3.11*10 ^- 4
3 28 9800 3.02*10 ^- 4

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#
 The galvanometer has been converted into an ammeter of range 0 ĺ 1.0 amp
because the difference is zero or very small.