Electric circuits are present in all spheres and branches of modern human life. It is worth stopping the supply of current and its quality will deteriorate significantly, a lot of serious dangers will arise from different sides. In order to constantly regulate the correct operation of the electrical network, you need to know how the ammeter is connected. This device measures the current strength.
Content
- General information about the device
- The concept and types of ammeter
- Connection to the circuit
- Determination of direct current
- Measuring alternating electricity
- Non-contact measurement option
General information about the device
The laws of the electrical circuit are taught in educational institutions. Every teenager knows the nuances about the directional movement of charged particles. It is represented by the movement of electrons along a conductor and is called electricity. On the practical side, any movement of something in nature (air masses, charges, water in a river) can benefit humanity.
It is only necessary to determine the duration of the action of the force, its direction, power.
Based on this, various devices are created that calculate and measure all kinds of quantities. For example, to have a detailed idea of the current, you should use an ammeter. The device easily determines the number of charged particles that cross the section set in the conductor for a certain period (unit) of time, which is the current strength.
The concept and types of ammeter
The device is suitable for determining the current strength in any existing electrical network. The subject is easily recognizable by the available Latin letter "A". The ammeter connection diagram is extremely simple. You just need to decide on the magnitude of the current starting in milliamperes.
Also, devices are subdivided into those that are designed for a certain power, and universal ones with a variable measurement limit. It is worth noting that different types of ammeters are used to work with alternating and direct current. They also differ in the principle of the device:
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magnetoelectric; - induction;
- in electromagnetic version;
- thermal;
- in the form of an electrodynamic system;
- detector type;
- thermoelectric;
- photovoltaic.
The switching circuit of a magnetoelectric type ammeter is extremely simple. It makes it possible to find out the current strength in a network powered by constant voltage. It is more appropriate to work with variable indicators using induction, detector devices.
Other devices are usually universal in use. The peculiarity of units in magnetoelectric and electrodynamic design is their maximum accuracy and high sensitivity.
Connection to the circuit
To understand how to connect an ammeter of any complexity, you need to know that it is connected in series with the load. In this case, a current similar to the electricity in the measured network will pass through the device.
The devices are specially manufactured with low input impedance. This prevents a strong influence on the current, it is a minimal obstacle. It should be remembered that if the connection is incorrect, when the ammeter is connected in parallel with the load, the current will be directed through the described unit, namely, the rule of least resistance will work. In such situations, in practice, current meters simply fail.
Before buying an ammeter, you need to know with what force it will work - constant or variable. Having decided on the marking on the scale with the choice of the device, it is recommended to set the maximum power on it, think over the correct connection to the network.
Further, the indicators are taken from the meter. When they are less than the set limit, and the arrow is in the first part of the gradient, it should be moved to the other side of the scale with the designation of the most accurate values.
Determination of direct current
This kind of electricity flows through various electronic circuits. A striking example will be all kinds of chargers, power supplies. To repair such devices, the master must know and understand how the ammeter is connected to the circuit.
In everyday life, such knowledge will not be superfluous. They will help a person who is not very fond of radio electronics to independently determine, for example, the time for which a battery charge from a camera will be enough.
To conduct the experiment, you will need a fully charged battery with a nominal voltage, for example, 3.5 volts. Also it is worth stocking up on a bulb of the same rating to create a sequential circuit:
- battery;
- ammeter;
- lamp.
The entry marked on the measuring device is fixed. For example, a lighting product consumes 150 milliamperes of electricity and a battery has a capacity of 1500 milliampere-hours. Means, the latter must function for 10 hours, giving out a current of 150 mA.
Measuring alternating electricity
Any household appliances powered from the mains show the load with which they consume AC current. When considering the issues of energy use, it is worth remembering about the concept of power, for which the final payment is made in kilowatts. In this case, the ammeter acts as a device for performing indirect measurements. In this way, the current strength is determined through the standard formula according to Ohm's law:
P = I * U, where:
-
U is voltage; - I represents the amperage;
- P indicates the calculated power.
There are times when the information recorded by the switchboard is lost. To restore the necessary parameters, you will need an ammeter. Sometimes, when servicing a large-scale building, it is not possible to control all the devices that record electricity. The problem is solved by connecting a reinforced ammeter to the outlet from the shield, taking measurements of interest. Such tasks are only allowed to be performed by specially trained people.
Non-contact measurement option
It so happens that breaking the electrical circuit without turning on the measuring unit is impossible for technical reasons. It is necessary to find out the current values, this applies to work with high-voltage and conventional networks. The wiring diagram for a voltmeter, ammeter in such cases involves the use of special current clamps, which allow contactless measurements to be made.
The principle of operation of such a device is based on the fact that the current flows to the conductor, thereby creating a certain magnetic field. The values of these values are interdependent. The tension in the available field is measured, converted according to the formula, and the output is a real indicator of the force, expressed in amperes.
This method is often used in practice because of its simplicity, convenience and safety, there is no need to use an ammeter, thinking about how to introduce it into the circuit. For example, the clamps are fixed on an insulated wire of any circuit and charger, after which the necessary indicators are simply removed. A significant drawback is their high cost.
An ammeter is a popular device when working with power grids. At home, it brings no less benefit. The use of such a unit is extremely simple and straightforward.
