Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

EXPERIMENT# 10
Measure the Power and Power Factor by three Ammeter method
10.1 Objective:
 To learn how power factor of an R-L circuit can be measured using voltmeters and ammeters.

10.2 Pre – Lab Preparation:

 Sound knowledge of current lagging in inductive load.

 Introduction and theory of this experiment.

10.3 Equipment:
i PC installed with Multisim.

10.4 Procedure:
 Open Multisim on PC.

 Connect the circuit by three Ammeter method as shown in the figure.

 Run the simulation.

 Note the values of Ammeters and Wattmeter.

 Take screenshot and paste them in the workbook.

 Perform the calculations using these values and given formulas.

 Take the picture of the calculations and paste them in the workbook.

 Connect the circuit by three Voltmeter method as shown in the figure.

 Run the simulation.

 Note the values of voltmeters and Wattmeter.

 Take screenshot and paste them in the workbook.

 Perform the calculations using these values and given formulas.

 Take the picture of the calculations and paste them in the workbook.

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

 Write the answer of the questions asked at the end of the lab.

 Finally, write the learning outcome of the lab.

10.5 Observation and results:

Three Ammeter Method:
Following figures shows the circuit diagram and phasor diagram of three ammeter method for
measurement of power. The current measured by the ammeter A1, is the vector sum of the load
current and that taken by the non-inductive resistor R, this latter being in phase with V.

 The advantage of this method is that the value of determined is independent of

supply frequency and waveforms.

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

 The disadvantage of measurement of power by three voltmeter method are

overcome in this method.

Three Voltmeter Method:

The three voltmeter is used in an inductive circuit to measure the value of the power
factor. One ammeter is used to measure total current of the circuit, the second one measures
current going through the non- inductive resistance and the third ammeter measures the current
of the load branch.

 The advantage is if you want to know or monitor the voltage of a supply or across a
component accurately you need to use a voltmeter.
 The disadvantage of Voltmeter is it draws “some” current from the source and in voltage
sensitive circuits this can cause inaccurate readings.

10.1 Observation and results:

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

Figure 10.1 Three Ammeter Method Circuit Diagram

Figure 10.2 Three Voltmeter Method Circuit Diagram

Table 1: Three Ammeter Method

Sr. No V
Inductive Load
1. 105.995V 2.599A 314.602pA 2.599A
Capacitive Load
2. 105.999V 2.084A 282.278pA 2.084A

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

Resistive Load
3. 105.996V 2.65A 211.992pA 2.65A

Sr. No Real Power Real Power Power Factor Power Factor

(Calculated) (Measured) (Calculated) (Measured)
Inductive Load
1. 270.12 270.209W 0.979 0.98079
Capacitive Load
2. 173.62 173.712W 0.783 0.78639
Resistive Load
3. 280.81 280.900W 0.996 1

RL Load:

RC Load

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

R Load

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

Table 2: Three Voltmeter Method

Sr. No I
Inductive Load
1. 757.114mA 105.996V 75.711V 30.285V
Capacitive Load
2. 1.795A 105.999V 17.949V 91.3V
Resistive Load
3. 757.114A 105.996V 75.711V 30.285V

Sr. No Real Power Real Power Power Factor Power Factor

(Calculated) (Measured) (Calculated) (Measured)
Inductive Load
1. 22.84 22.931W 0.947 1
Capacitive Load
2. 128.79 128.880W 0.782 0.78639

Resistive Load
3. 22.878 22.931W 0.996 1
RL Load

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

RC Load

R Load

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

Observation:
PF will be unity if the circuit is purely resistive. At that time, current is minimal. Resistance is
inversely proprtional to power in the case of R load of voltmeter and Capacitance is directly proportional to
power factor in the case of RC load of ammeter.

10.6 Questions:
Q1: Explain the each current measured by three ampere meters in this experiment?
One ammeter is used to measure total current of the circuit, the second one measures current going

through the non-inductive resistance and the third ammeter measures the current of the load branch.

Q2: Explain the each voltage measured by three volt meters in this experiment?
One volt-meter is used to measure total voltage of the circuit, the second one measures the voltage

of non- inductive resistance and the third volt-meter measures the voltage of the load branch.

Q3: Explain the power factor improvement and why it is important?

Power factor improvement is the process of increasing the power factor to near unity without
altering

the original load. The power factor of a network is a measure of how efficiently the power is used
and

if power factor is low then the improvement is done by different technologies and equipment so that

power is as efficient as possible. It is important for many reasons such as reactive power will get

reduced thus reduction in total power, voltage improvement at user end, higher power factor will
help

in utilizing the full capacity of electrical system, improved performance of motor with higher pf.

10.7 Learning outcomes:

After doing this lab,

 Able to investigate different parameters of an electrical network and appreciate their

measurements using ammeters and voltmeters.

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Student Workbook EE-04306: Instrumentation & Measurements

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