10-12-2012, 01:36 PM
Wheatstone Bridge An Overview
![Microsoft PowerPoint Document .ppt](https://seminarproject.net/images/attachtypes/ppt.gif)
History
The Wheatstone Bridge was invented in 1833 by Samuel Hunter Christie
Later named after Sir Charles Wheatstone for his many applications of the circuit through the 1840s
The most common procedure for the bridge remains the testing of unknown electrical resistance
How Does it Work?
Uses ratio of 3 known resistors
Measures fourth unknown resistance
Balanced voltage between point 1 and battery’s negative, and between point 2 and battery’s negative allows the measurement
How is it used?
Main focus of the Wheatstone Bridge = applications using electricity
The circuit monitors sensor devices like strain gauges – it reads the level of the strain in the system
The galvanometer measures whether the gauges are balanced or not
Electrical power distributors use the Wheatstone Bridge to locate breaks in the power lines
Impact of the Wheatstone Bridge
The Wheatstone Bridge is a very simple design, although there are more complex versions of achieving the same outcome
Can be adjusted easily
Fairly inexpensive to produce
Also indirectly measures any variable that would change the resistance of a material
Ex: temperature, force, pressure
Summary
Created in 1833, popularized in 1840s
Wheatstone bridges are one of the best methods of measuring resistance due to the basic mathematical ratio involved.
Accurate standards with sensitive enough voltmeter, measurements of resistance within .05% can be reached.
Many calibration laboratories still use this method today.
The Wheatstone Bridge are replaceable; however, for its simplicity and versatility the circuit is an indispensible piece of technology