Test Instruments & Measuring Devices
METER MOVEMENTS
Moving Iron Vane Movement
The moving iron vane movement (Figure 3) can be used to measure both AC current and voltage.
By changing the meter scale calibration, the movement can be used to measure DC current and
voltage. The moving iron vane meter operates on the principle of magnetic repulsion between
like poles. The measured current flows through a field coil which produces a magnetic field
proportional to the magnitude of current. Suspended in this field are two iron vanes attached to
a pointer. The two iron vanes consist of one fixed and one moveable vane. The magnetic field
produced by the current flow magnetizes the two iron vanes with the same polarity regardless
of the direction of current through the coil. Since like poles repel one another, the moving iron
vane pulls away from the fixed vane and moves the meter pointer. This motion exerts a force
against a spring. The distance the moving iron vane will travel against the spring depends on
the strength of the magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the magnitude
of current flow.
Figure 3 Moving Iron Vane Meter Movement
As stated previously, this type of meter movement may also be used to measure voltage. When
this type of movement is used to measure voltage, the field coil consists of many turns of fine
wire used to generate a strong magnetic field with only a small current flow.
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