20/11/2016 (2) Why do we use the shunt resistor in parallel/series with galvanometer?

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We will distribute this question to writers, and notify you about new answers. While converting galvanometer to ammeter, how do I
take the appropriate shunt wire across it?
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, 20 years electrician, Radio amateur, service engineer- microwave ovens, … What is a galvanometer used for? How is it used?

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How and why can a galvanometer be used as a
voltmeter?
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parallel or series-parallel?

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Answer series connection easily?

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Galvos deflect with current.

But they are usually too sensitive to indicate large currents and also too sensitive to Question Stats
indicate voltages as their low resistance allows lots of current to flow.
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So to make ammeters, we parallel a shunt resistor across it to reduce the current though 870 Views
it... most of the current goes through the shunt and making it porportional (say the shunt
Last Asked Apr 2
is 1/100th of the resistance of the galvo then 1/100th of the current goes though the galvo
and makes a 1 mA galvo become a 100 mA galvo. Edits

For voltmeters, we need to limit the current. A series resistance limiting the current to a 1
mA galvo to be 1 mA when at 10 V makes the galvo into a 10 V meter.
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The shunt resistor bleeds off most of the current, so that the galvanometer doesn't get
fried.

If the current to be measured is extremely low, a shunt resistor is not needed. But
realistically, the level of currents that we try to measure are high enough that the very fine
current-carrying portion of the galvanometer would act like a fuse. That tiny wire would
instantly heat up and melt, destroying the instrument. Using a very low-ohmage shunt
prevents that.
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20/11/2016 (2) Why do we use the shunt resistor in parallel/series with galvanometer? - Quora

Galvanometer is a device which is used to measure electric currents. But it is a sensitive 2

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device that itAsk or Search
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be used to measure heavy currents. So we connect a resistor in Read Answer Notifications Rodrigo
parallel to the galvanometer to measure heavy currents and is called an Ammeter. The
effective resistance when connected in paralle is low.The value of the shunt resistor can be
adjusted to measure the higher currents. It can be calculated as below..

Note that the shunt resistance has to be low so that maximum current passes through the
shunt. This way galvanometer can be used to measure high currents.

Similarly when connected in series the effective resiatance is more and it can be used an
voltmeter.
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, EEE
Written Apr 2

The galvanometer has very low resistance and when the range of current to measure need
to be enhanced a shunt resistor is added to derive most of the current but it is too difficult
to find resistors of so low value and precision then a series resistor is added to work in a
better range and have two values to play with when attempting to calibrate.
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Written Apr 2

Firstly galvanometer is a device used to sense the direction of current and is placed in
series. it has a very low resistance.

By connecting a low value shunt resistor in parallel with an galvanometer the incoming
current gets divided we can turn it to an ammeter. An ideal ammeter has almost zero
resistance.
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20/11/2016 (2) Why do we use the shunt resistor in parallel/series with galvanometer? - Quora

By connecting a high value shunt resistor in series we can turn it into a voltmeter. An ideal 2
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voltmeter has almost infinite resistance.

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