PMMI Meter

Introduction
The instrument in which the moving iron is used for measuring the flow of current

or voltage is known as the moving iron instrument. It works on the principle that
the iron place near the magnet attracts towards it. The force of
attraction depends on the strength of the magnet field. The magnetic field
induces by the electromagnet whose strength depends on the magnitude of the
current passes through it.
Construction of Moving Iron Instrument
The plate or vane of soft iron is used as the moving element of the instrument.
The vane is so placed that it can freely move in the magnetic field of the
stationary coil. The conductor makes the stationary coil, and it is excited by the
voltage or current whose magnitude is used to be measured.
The moving iron instrument uses the stationary coil as an electromagnet. The
electromagnet is the temporary magnet whose magnetic field strength increases
or decreases with the magnitude of the current passes through it.
Working of the Moving Iron Instrument
The moving iron instruments use the stationary coil of copper or aluminium wire
which acts as an electromagnet when an electric current passes through it. The
strength of the magnetic field induces by the electromagnet is directly
proportional to the current passes through it.
The plates or vane of the iron pass through the coil increases the inductance of
the stationary coil (the inductance is the property of the conductor which
increases their electromotive force when the varying current passes through it).
The electromagnet attracts the iron vane. The vane passes through the coil tries
to occupy the minimum reluctance path (the reluctance is the property of the
magnet which opposes the flow of electric current).
The vane passes through the coil experience a force of repulsion caused by the
electromagnet. The repulsion force increases the strength of the coil inductance.
This happens because the inductance and reluctances are inversely proportional
to each other.
Classification of the Moving Iron Instruments
1) Attraction type
2) Repulsion type
1.Attraction-type-instruments
The instrument in which the iron plate attracts from the weaker field towards the
stronger field such type of instrument is known as the attraction type instrument.
Construction of Attraction Type Instrument – The stationary coil of the attraction
type instrument is flat and has a narrow opening. The moving element is the flat
disc of the iron core. The current flow through the stationary coil produced the
magnetic field which attracts the iron coil.
The iron vane deflects from the low magnetic field to the high magnetic field, and
the strength of the deflection is directly proportional to the magnitude of the
current flow through it. In short, we can say that the iron coil attracts towards in.
The attraction type instruments use spring, which provided the controlling torque.
The deflection of the coil is reduced by the aluminium piston which is attached to
the moving coil.
2.Repulsion Type Instruments
The repulsion type instrument has two vanes or iron plates. One is fixed, and the
other one is movable. The vanes become magnetised when the current passes
through the stationary coil and the force of repulsion occur between them.
Because of a repulsive force, the moving coil starts moving away from the fixed
vane.
The spring provides the controlling torque. The air friction induces the damping
torque, which opposes the movement of the coil. The repulsion type instrument is
a non-polarized instrument, i.e., free from the direction of current passes through
it. Thus, it is used for both AC and DC.
Advantages of the MI Instruments
1. Universal use – The MI instrument is independent of the direction of

current and hence used for both AC and DC.
2. Less Friction Error – The friction error is very less in the moving iron
instrument because their torque weight ratio is high. The torque weight
ratio is high because their current carrying part is stationary and the moving
parts are lighter in weight.
3. Cheapness – The MI instruments require less number of turns as compared
to PMMC instrument. Thus, it is cheaper.
4. Robustness – The instrument is robust because of their simple construction.
And also because their current carrying part is stationary.
Disadvantages of Moving Iron Instruments
1. Accuracy – The scale of the moving iron instruments is not uniform, and
hence the accurate result is not possible.
2. Errors – Some serious error occurs in the instruments because of the
hysteresis, frequency and stray magnetic field.
3. Waveform Error – In MI instrument the deflection torque is not directly
proportional to the square of the current. Because of which the waveforms
error occurs in the instrument.
4. Difference between AC and DC calibration – The calibration of the AC and
DC are differed because of the effect of the inductance of meter and the
eddy current which is used on AC. The AC is calibrated on the frequency at
which they use.
Error in Moving iron instruments:
There are two types error. One is occur in both ac and dc and other is occur only
ac
Errors with Both dc and ac.

Hysteresis error : this error occurs as the value of flux density is different of same current for
ascending and descending values.the flux density is higher for descending value there for
instruments read higher for descending value current this error can be minimize using small
iron parts and other method is used nickel iron alloy
Temperature error: the effect of temperature change on moving iron instruments aries chiefly from
the temperature coefficient of spring.for minimize the error the series resistance should be made of
material like Manganin which has small temperature coefficient. The value of resistance should large as
compare with coil resistance.in order to reduce the self heating.
Stray Magnetic fields: It is a also called demagnetization fields. This is weak at full scale deflection
hence it can easily distorted . these error can be minimized using an iron case or iron shied over working
parts
Errors with A.C. only:

Frequency error: Change in frequency is also cause of change in reactance of working coil and also
change the eddy currents setup in the metal parts of instrument.
Reactance of Instruments coil: the change of reactance of the instrument coil is importance in case of
voltmeter. Where a addition resistance put in series with instrument coil to reduce this effect.
Application
1. Heavy current moving-iron Ammeters.
2. Moving iron voltmeters
3. Moving iron power factor meters
4. Moving iron synchroscopes

PMMI Meter

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PMMI Meter

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Introduction

The instrument in which the moving iron is used for measuring the flow of current

Classification of the Moving Iron Instruments

1. Universal use – The MI instrument is independent of the direction of

Disadvantages of Moving Iron Instruments

Errors with Both dc and ac.

Errors with A.C. only:

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