Fundamentals of measurement and automation technology 1 (WS 2019/20)

2nd Exercise: 46. und 47. KW

Signal flow diagrams. Current and voltage measurement.
Wheatstone bridge.

Signal flow diagrams

Problem 1L: spring pendulum

A spring pendulum or spring oscillator is a harmonic oscillator consisting of a coil spring and a
mass m attached to it. While the mass causes an expansion of the spring, the tension of the spring
(characterized by the spring constant k) causes its contraction. When the mass deflected from its
rest position is released, a harmonic oscillation begins, the amplitude of which decreases with time
due to the presence of damping (with the damping constant γ). The input variable is the resulting
force acting on the mass m, the output variable is the position x of the mass which changes with
time. Draw the signal flow diagram for this system and characterize each transmission element
with a formula or mathematical operation. Note: The effect of gravity can be neglected as it only
affects the position of the rest position.

Current and voltage measurement

Problem 2: reference resistance for current supply

An unknown resistance Rx is to be measured with the aid of a reference resistor Rr. For this pur-
pose, a current-feeding circuit is to be used, whereby only voltmeters are available as measuring
instruments.
a) Sketch the necessary circuit.
b) Which two conditions must be fulfilled by the internal resistors RMV of the voltmeters?
c) How is the unknown resistance Rx calculated?

Problem 3H: four resistors

In order to simplify the manufacture of an electronic assembly, the resistor network shown in the
figure is to be replaced by a substitute resistor RE.

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 Fundamentals of measurement and automation technology 1 (WS 2019/20)
2nd Exercise: 46. und 47. KW
Signal flow diagrams. Current and voltage measurement.
Wheatstone bridge.
a) Calculate the substitute resistance RE in case Ri=5 Ω for i=1...4.
b) For two modifications, Ri=5 Ω (i=1, 3, 4) and R2=10 Ω or Ri=5 Ω (i=1, 2, 3) and R4=10 Ω, the net-
work value is to be replaced by a substitute resistor RE=4 Ω. For which of the two resistor as-
signments is this possible?

Problem 4B: two-terminal device

A circuit is given with two connections A and B (active two-terminal device), see figure a).

figure a) figure b) figure c)

a) How large is the change in voltage across terminals A and B by connecting a voltmeter with
resistor RM?
b) How large must the resistance RM be so that the voltage change via terminals A and B is < 5 %
due to the connection of the voltmeter?

Note: The active two-terminal device can be substituted by a series connection of a voltage source
UL and a resistor Ri (the internal resistance), [equivalent circuit diagram, see figure b)]. To calculate
the internal resistance Ri of the two-terminal device, the voltage source E is short-circuited [figure
c)].

Problem 5: two-terminal device with ammeter

The current I in the circuit (see figure) is to be measured by means of a current measuring device
with an internal resistance RM, which is connected between terminals A and B. What percentage
error is caused by the connection of the ammeter? (R1 = 5 Ω, R2 = 7,5 Ω, R3 = 7 Ω, RM = 0,5 Ω). Take
account the note from problem 4B.

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 Fundamentals of measurement and automation technology 1 (WS 2019/20)
2nd Exercise: 46. und 47. KW
Signal flow diagrams. Current and voltage measurement.
Wheatstone bridge.
Wheatstone bridge

Problem 6B: Wheatstone bridge with constant current

The bridge shown in the picture is fed with a constant current I0.

a) Determine Ud = f(I0) .
b) What are the differences to a bridge fed with constant voltage?

Aufgabe 7L: Wheatstone bridge with variable R3

A variable resistor R3 = R0⋅α is connected in a Wheatstone bridge as follows:

R1= 200 Ω, R2 = 1 kΩ, R4 = 600 Ω, U0 = 10V, α - change factor

a) Calculate the nominal resistance R0 of R3 if the bridge is calibrated for case α= 1.

b) Calculate α and determine the change in % if the differential voltage Ud = 3 mV is set for the
supply voltage U0.

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 Fundamentals of measurement and automation technology 1 (WS 2019/20)
2nd Exercise: 46. und 47. KW
Signal flow diagrams. Current and voltage measurement.
Wheatstone bridge.
Aufgabe 8: Wheatstone-Brücke with variable R1, R4
In a Wheatstone bridge, whose 4 resistors are originally all equal to a basic resistance R 0 , the
resistance R 1 is increased by a small amount, R 1 → R 1 + ∆R , and the resistance R 4 is decreased
by the same amount, R 4 → R 4 − ∆R . It applies: ∆R << (R 1 , R 4 ) . Determine the diagonal voltage
Ud as a function of ∆R . Note: Use the linearization of expressions of shape (1 ± x )
−1
≈ 1  x when
x << 1 is.

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Note: Problems with B are example tasks, problems with H are to be solved as homework
and problems with L are tasks for the learning group letter.