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The galvanometer is one of the most important discoveries in science and technology. It was discovered in the 19th century when scientists observed deflection in the direction of a needle in the presence of an electromagnet, indicating the flow of electric current.
Over the years, the galvanometer has been improvised and repurposed to serve many purposes. It can be used to determine the presence and direction of electric current. It can also be used to find the null point in a circuit.
Galvanometers can be repurposed to find the voltage between two circuit points. Today, galvanometers are used in a wide variety of industrial appliances like control systems, laser engraving, laser TVs, laser displays, and laser sintering, among others. They can also be used to control the status of head servos in CD/DVD players and on hard drives.
Objectives and Functions
The galvanometer was developed in the 1820s when scientist and chemist Hans Christian Oersted discovered the first instrument that could calculate and determine the amount of current required to create magnetic fields. This established the relationship between electricity and magnetism, leading to some of the most prolific scientific advancements in the world.
Later, the French physicist Andre Marie Ampere provided the mathematical equation for Orsetd’s findings. The modern galvanometer is an electromechanical instrument that can also function as an actuator by creating a rotational deflection to the current flow through a coil in a magnetic field.
Applications of galvanometer:
The application of galvanometers are:
- A Galvanometer is useful in detecting the flow of the current’s direction within the circuit and also determines which is the null point.
- It helps determine the current.
- We can quickly determine the voltage between two points when we use this device.
- These devices are used in control systems, laser engraving, laser TVs, laser sintering, and displays.
- Galvanometers are also used in CD/DVD players and in hard drives to control the position of head servos.
- These are also used in a film camera to get the readings of photoresistors in the metering mechanisms.
- A galvanometer is used in school, college laboratories for measurement of current purposes and to make students understand the basic working of how the measuring instruments work and their principles. However, to best understand the current flow, a galvanometer is used.
Applications of galvanometer as ammeter and voltmeter
Galvanometer as a voltmeter:
High resistance is connected in series when we use a galvanometer as a voltmeter. It provides a load circuit or adequate power circuit when the entire circuit is connected in parallel. Also, the diagram is mentioned below to make it more clear. Moreover, if we vary the resistance value of the series-connected resistor, then the voltmeter spectrum can differ.
Galvanometer as an ammeter:
It is seen that when resistance is attached in parallel with the galvanometer, it is very low when we use a galvanometer as an ammeter. We called this a Shunt Resistor. Moreover, the entire circuit is attached in sequence between the load and power source. Below, we have mentioned the circuit diagram. In addition, by differing the resistance value of the parallel-connected resistor, the spectrum of the ammeter can fluctuate.
Types of galvanometers
Currently, several improvisations have created many applications for galvanometers. Depending upon the kind of work, one can opt for any of these galvanometers.
- Kelvin Astatic
- Horizontal
- Ballistic
- Pouillet Tangent
- Pye Coulomb Balance
- Iron Vane
- Universal Tangent
- Kohlrausch
- Brass Cylindrical
Classification of application of galvanometers
All galvanometers can be categorised as ballistic or dead beat/periodic. We can use a ballistic galvanometer to estimate the charge (and hence the electric current flowing through the circuit). At the same time, a periodic type galvanometer is used to measure and determine the potential difference and the charge within the circuit.
On the other hand, based on their construction, galvanometers can be classified as moving coil and moving magnet galvanometers. The moving coil galvanometer can also be constructed in the pivoted or the suspended style. Similarly, for a moving magnet galvanometer, you can also have suspended and pivoted styles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, galvanometers are very useful and can easily be procured. They are used in machines such as laser televisions, CD players, DVD players, and other control systems.
