In this article, you will be able to learn about the Wheatstone bridge, its working principles with some circuits and applications examples.

Outline

Introduction

As we know that 21st century is the age of development and inventions of electronics and for the use of electronics and for making connections signals are the main source for it. today you will come to know about Wheatstone bridge its working principles and applications.

Now, what are signals?

Signals are the main source of communication and in this age of development and inventions, there are various types of signals and these signals are measured by Resistance, Induction, and capacitance.

What is Resistance?

Resistance is an instrument like an industrial sensor that checks the temperature, strain, humidity, displacement, liquid level, etc. When change is produced in the value of Resistance then it’s equivalent to the change in the receptive quantity.  Hence it’s explained that for signals, resistance is important as a sensor.

For Example:

  1. Light Dependent Resistor or LDR is the simplest device to mention in the example of resistance,  so as the name suggests, LDR is a device whose resistance changes according to the light supplied to it or fallen on it.

TYPES :

Literally, the resistance Measurement is divided into three types:
  • Low Resistance Measurement
  • Medium Resistance Measurement
  • High Resistance Measurement
When the resistance valve or measurement is between few micro ohms to mili ohms then it’s considered low resistance.  If the measurement is between 1ohm to a few hundred of KΩ then it’s considered as medium resistance Measurement and examples are potentiometer, thermistors, normal Resistors, etc.
At last, the high resistance Measurement is between few Mega Ohms to more than 100 Mega ohms.

NOTE :

These Resistance Measurements are usually used for research purposes and For finding the medium valve resistance different methods are used usually but usually, Wheatstone bridge is used.

What is Wheatstone Bridge?

In popular electrical tools, Bridge networks or circuits are often used. Some of the electronic tools are Measurement circuits, transducers circuits, switching circuits, and oscillators.
The Wheatstone Bridge is the most common and easiest Bridge network or circuit, which is used for measuring resistance very accurately.  It’s also used in Transducers to measure quantities like Temperature,  Pressure, Strain, etc.
Wheatstone Bridge is also used in such applications where small changes in resistance are measured by the sensor. In Transducers, it is used to convert the change in resistance to change in voltage.  Mostly this Bridge is used within the combination of operational Amplifier so that it can be used in Industries for various transducers and sensors.

Examples:

1: Thermistor ;

The change in Thermistor resistance occurs when it’s subjected to a change in temperature.

2: Strain Gauge ;

When the change is resistance is subjected to pressure, force, or displacements, its resistance changes.

NOTE :

Hence the Wheatstone Bridge can be used either in a balanced condition or in an in balanced condition, depending on the type of Application.

RESISTORS IN WHEATSTONE BRIDGE:

There are four resistors in Wheatstone Bridge, those are  (R1, R2, R3, and R4) and all of these are connected in a diamond shape with the DC supply sources connected on the top and bottom of the circuit, and the output is taken from the other two ends ( A and B ). The diagram of the circuit is given below;

WheatstoneBridge-1

 

For finding the Unknown Resistance accurately this Bridge if used by measuring it with the known value of resistance. Indirectly, a Null or Balanced condition is used to find the unknown resistance through this Bridge. 

In Balanced conditions, the output voltage of the Bridge at points A and B must be equal to 0. As compared to the above circuit:

VOUT = 0 V

For a detailed study of the above circuit,  let’s redraw it with more deals and clarity.

 

WheatstoneBridge-1

 

For finding the Unknown Resistance accurately this Bridge if used by measuring it with the known value of resistance. Indirectly, a Null or Balanced condition is used to find the unknown resistance through this Bridge. 

In Balanced conditions, the output voltage of the Bridge at points A and B must be equal to 0. As compared to the above circuit:

VOUT = 0 V

For a detailed study of the above circuit,  let’s redraw it with more deals and clarity.

 

WB-2

Now, In the Balanced condition, the voltage between the resistors R1 and R2 is equal. If V1 is the voltage across R1 and V2 is the voltage across R2, then:

        V1 = V2

Similarly, the voltage across resistors R3 (let’s name it V3) and R4 ( let’s name it V4) are also equal. So,

 V3 = V4 

The voltage ratio can be written as:

 V1 / V3 = V2 / V4 

From Ohm’s law, is:

 I1 R1 / I3 R3 = I2 R2 / I4 R4 

Hence,  I1 = I3 and I2 = I4, we get:

 R1 / R3 = R2 / R4 

Now from the above equation, it is clear that if we know the values of three Resistors then it’s easy to find the value of the fourth one.

Alternative Way to Calculate Resistors:

In the redrawn circuit, if VIN is the input voltage, then the voltage at point A is:

 VIN ( R3 / (R1 + R3)) 

Similarly, the voltage at point B is:

 VIN ( R4 / (R2 + R4)) 

For the Bridge to be Balanced, VOUT = 0. But we know that  VOUT = VA – VB .

So, in Balanced Bridge Condition,

 VA = VB 

Using above equations, we get:

 VIN ( R3 / (R1 + R3)) = VIN ( R4 / (R2 + R4)) 

After simple manipulation of the above equation, we get:

 R1 / R3 = R2 / R4 

To find a conclusion from the above equation, if R1 is an unknown resistor, then its value can be calculated from the known values of R2, R3, and R4. Generally, the unknown value is known as RX and of the three known resistances, one resistor (mostly R3 in the above circuit is a variable Resistor called RV.

Find Unknown Resistance using Balanced Wheatstone Bridge

From the above circuit, let’s assume that R1 is an unknown resistor. So, it is known as RX. The resistors R2 and R4 have a fixed value. This means the ratio R2 / R4 is also fixed. Now, from the above calculation, the ratio of resistors must be equal to create a balanced condition i.e.

 RX / R3 = R2 / R4 

As the ratio R2 / R4 is fixed, we can easily adjust the other known resistor (R3) to achieve the above condition. Hence, it is important that R3 to be a variable resistor, which is known as  RV.

But here the question arises, How to make the Balanced Condition? Now Galvanometer (an old-school Ammeter) can be used by placing the Galvanometer between points A and B, then we can detect the Balanced Condition.

With RX placed in the circuit, it adjusts the RV until the Galvanometer points to 0. At this point, note down the value of RV. By using the following formula, you can calculate the unknown resistor value RX.

 RX = RV (R2 / R4) 

Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge

If VOUT in the above circuit is not equal to 0 (VOUT ≠ 0), then the Wheatstone Bridge is known to be Unbalanced.  Mostly, the Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge is often used for measuring physical qualities like Pressure, Temperature, Strain, etc.

In the case of transducers, it must be of a different resistive type i.e. the resistance of the transducers changes accordingly when the quality of temperature, strain, etc changes.  Hence its proved that in place of the unknown resistor in the above resistance calculations we can also connect the transducer.

Wheatstone Bridge for Temperature Measurement

Let’s see how temperature is measured using Wheatstone Bridge using a transducer, which is going to be used is known as Thermistor, which is a temperature-dependent resistor. Change in Temperature will either decrease or increase the resistance of the thermistor as it depend on the nature of thermistors.

WB-Temp-1

From the above diagram, as a result, the output voltage of the Bridge VOUT will become a non-zero value. It means that the output voltage VOUT is proportional to the temperature. By calibrating the voltmeter, the temperature can be displayed in terms of the output voltage.

Wheatstone Bridge for Strain Measurement

The most commonly used Wheatstone Bridge application is the Strain Measurement.  A strain gauge is a device whose electrical resistance is proportional to mechanical factors like Pressure, Force, or Strain.
Mostly, the range of strain gauge resistance is 30 Ω to 3000 Ω. In the given diagram, the strain resistance may change only a fraction of the full range. So Wheatstone Bridge is used to measure accurately the fractional change of resistance.
The given diagram shows a Wheatstone Bridge and the unknown resistor is replaced with a strain gauge.

Wheatstone Bridge for Strain Measurement

The resistance of the strain gauge changes when an external force is applied and the Bridge becomes Unbalanced as a result.  The output voltage is calibrated to show the change in strain.
Weight Scale is one of the most popular applications of Strain Gauge and Wheatstone Bridge. In it the Strain Gauge is carefully fixed as a single unit, known as Load Cells. A Load Cell is a transducer that changes mechanical force to an electrical signal.
Mostly, Weight Scale consists of four load cells. When an external force is applied, two of the strain gauges expand or stretch, and when the load is placed the other two strain gauges is placed.

WB-SG-1

The strain gauge resistance depends on its situation, when it’s tensed or compressed then the change in resistance occurs either it’s increased or decrease.  As a result, the Bridge becomes Unbalanced then this produces voltage indicator action on the voltmeter corresponding to the strain change. If more strain is applied then the voltage difference is more across the meter terminals in the strain gauge. If the strain is zero then the meter shows zero reading and Bridge is balanced.
The Wheatstone Bridge is usually used in strain gauge as its used for fractional Measurement of resistance. It’s about using of Wheatstone Bridge for resistance Measurement for precise measurements.

Applications

  1. For studying very low resistance values accurately the Wheatstone Bridge is used.
  2. Its also used for measuring the physical parameters like Temperature, Strain, light, etc when it’s placed next to the operational Amplifier.
  3. The variations on Wheatstone Bridge also help to measure quantities, capabilities, Inductance, and impedance.

Conclusion

It’s a guide for beginners. After reading this article readers will be able to understand what’s Wheatstone Bridge,  How to Calculate an unknown resistance using Wheatstone Bridge,  how to Balanced the Bridge and what situation make it Unbalanced, and how physical quantities effects it the Bridge.

 

 

 

 

About Author

Aizaz khan

Aizaz was the first person to get a byline on his blog on technology from his home in Bannu in 2017. Then, he went on to a career in breaking things professionally at my electric sparks which is where he eventually took over the kit as a hardware editor. Today, as the senior editor of hardware for my electric sparks, he spends time reporting about the most recent developments in the hardware industry and technology. If he’s not reporting on hardware or electronics, you’ll see him trying to be as remote from the world of technology as possible through camping in the wild.

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