Galvanometer and Ammeter

An ammeter is a device that measures or notes the magnitude of current that passes through an electronic device or appliance. The ammeter is connected with the circuit for determining the value or extent of current that flows through a device. This is one of the functions of the ammeter. An ammeter is also known as the ampere meter, as the ampere is the measurement unit of current. A galvanometer is also a device used to measure the magnitude of the current that flows, and is used mainly in bridges and as a potentiometer for determining zero current. A galvanometer consists of a moving coil, suspension, iron core, magnet, and a spring. There are differences between galvanometer and ammeter.

What is a Galvanometer? 

A galvanometer is a device that determines the magnitude of the current and the direction in which it is flowing, if that is important to know. A galvanometer has many uses. The function of a galvanometer differs from that of the parts of the ammeter. A galvanometer works in the presence of a magnetic field. A galvanometer uses a moving coil, and it rotates between a magnet. The current flows through the coil, and the deflection of the flowing current can be seen in the coil. The magnitude of the current can be determined through the deflection of the coil, as they are both directly proportional to each other. The working principle of a galvanometer is as follows –circuit.

Working principle of a galvanometer

The principle on which a galvanometer works is that a current-carrying conductor experiences a force when it is present inside a magnetic field. When a moving, current-carrying coil is placed inside a magnetic field, it goes through or experiences a magnetic torque. A galvanometer works on the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. This is how a galvanometer differs from the functions of an ammeter. A galvanometer consists of many parts, such as a magnetic moving coil, an iron core, a suspension, and a damping system.circuit.

What is Ammeter?

An ammeter or an ampere meter is a device connected with circuits to determine the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit. This is one of the essential functions of an ammeter. The ammeter and a galvanometer are constructed in the same way, the key difference being an ammeter has additional resistance parallel to the circuit. An ammeter or ampere meter uses low resistance wires so that the current of the whole circuit passes through the ammeter. The ammeter does not determine the direction of the current passing through a circuit, just the magnitude.circuit.

Working principle of an Ammeter

There are three electrical procedures involved in the working principle of an ammeter. These are magnetic fields, physical force, and electrical current. The electrical current creates a magnetic field, and when two magnetic fields are close to each other, the only two outcomes are attraction or repletion. An ampere meter is always joined with a series of circuits to measure the magnitude of current flowing through it. The ammeter should not be connected in parallel, as it will cause the fuse to burn, and the slightest resistance might cause a short circuit.

Differences between Galvanometer and Ammeter 

• The ampere meter or ammeter determines and measures the magnitude of current flowing through a circuit. The galvanometer determines the magnitude of the current and the direction in which it is flowing. The critical difference between an ammeter and a galvanometer is how the functions of an ammeter differ from that of a galvanometer
• The galvanometer shows the direction of the current flowing through a circuit, and the ammeter shows the magnitude of the current flowing through a circuit
• A galvanometer requires a magnetic field to work effectively, whereas an ampere meter does not have any such requirement
• In terms of magnitude accuracy, an ampere meter provides more accurate measurements than a galvanometer
• An ampere meter measures both the direct current and the alternate current, whereas a galvanometer measures just the direct current flowing through a direct circuit. This is because of the working principle of a galvanometer
• A galvanometer is more sensitive in comparison to an ampere meter
• A galvanometer is used in bridges and potentiometers where determining the zero current is essential or required. The functions of an ammeter or an ampere meter are necessary where it has to be directly connected in series to the circuit whose current’s magnitude is to be known

Conclusion 

An ampere meter or an ammeter is a device that is used to measure or determine the magnitude of current flowing through an electric device or appliance. It is connected in series with a circuit to the circuit, in which the current’s importance is to be measured. An ampere meter determines the precise magnitude of current, and it is easy to know the magnitude of both direct and alternating current through an ammeter. A galvanometer is a device used to measure the magnitude and see the current’s direction, but it is only accurate for direct current. It is used in bridges and potentiometers. The points mentioned above are differences between galvanometer and ammeter.