The Megohmmeter

An ordinary ohmmeter cannot be used for measuring multimillion ohm values

of resistances, such as those in conductor insulation. To test for such
insulation breakdown, you need to use a much higher potential than that
supplied by the battery of an ohmmeter . This potential is placed between
the conductor and the outside of the insulation. A megger (megohmmeter) is
used for these tests. The megger, shown in figure 3 -15, is a portable
instrument consisting of two main elements: (1) a hand -driven dc generator,
which supplies the necessary voltage for making the measurement, and (2)
the instrument portion, which indicates the value of the resistance you are
measuring. The instrument portion is of the opposed -coil type, as shown in
view A. Coils a and are mounte d on movable member
. A fixed angular
relationship exists between coils, and they are free to turn as a unit in a
magnetic field. Coil tends to move the pointer counterclockwise, and coil
a tends to move it clockwise.

Figure 3-15. - Megger internal cir cuit and external view.

Coil a is connected in series with R3 and unknown resistance R x . The

combination of coil a, R3, and R x forms a direct series path between the +
and - brushes of the dc generator. Coil is connected in series with R2,
and this combination is also connected across the generator. Notice that
the movable member (pointer) of the instrument portion of the megger has no
restoring springs. Therefore, when the generator is not being operated, th e
pointer will float freely and may come to rest at any position on the
scale.

The guard ring, shown in view A of figure 3 -15, shunts any leakage currents
to the negative side of the generator. This prevents such current from
flowing through coil a and affecting the meter reading.
If the test leads are open, no current will flow in coil a. However,
current will flow internally through coil and deflect the pointer to
infinity. This reading indicates a resistance too large to measure. When a
resistance, such as R x , is connected between the test leads, current also
flows in coil a; the pointer tends to move clockwise. At the same time,
coil still tends to move the pointer counterclockwise.

Therefore, the moving element, composed of both coils and the pointer,
comes to rest at a position in which the two forces are balanced. This
position depends upon the value of R x , which controls the amount of the
current in coil a. Because changes in voltage affect both coils in the same
proportion, the position of the moving element is independent of the
voltage. If you short the test leads together, the pointer will come to
rest at zero because the current in coil a is relatively large. Since R3
limits the current, the instrument will not be damaged under these
circumstances. The external appearance of one type of megger is shown in
view B of figure 3 -15.

Most meggers you will use are rated at 500 volts; however, there are other
types. Meggers are usually equipped with friction clutches, which are
designed to slip if the generator is cranked faster than its rated speed.
This prevents the generator speed and output voltage from exceeding rated
values. A 1,000 -volt generator is available for extended ranges. When an
extremely high resistance, such as 10,000 megohms or more, is to be
measured, a high voltage is needed to cause enough current flow to actuate
the meter movement.

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ELECTRODYNAMOMETER -TYPE METERS

The electrodynamometer -type meter differs from the galvanometer types we

have just studied in that two fixed coil s are used to produce the magnetic
field instead of a permanent magnet. Two movable coils are also used in the
electrodynamometer meter. The electrodynamometer meter is most commonly
found in various types of power meters.

As shown in figure 3 -16, the fix ed coils are connected in series and
positioned coaxially (in line) with a space between them. The two movable
coils are also positioned coaxially and are connected in series. The two
pairs of coils (fixed pair and movable pair) are also connected in serie s
with each other. The movable coil is pivot -mounted between the fixed coils.
The main shaft on which the movable coils are mounted is restrained by
spiral springs that restore the pointer to zero when no current is flowing
through the coil. These springs also act as conductors for delivering
current to the movable coils. Since these conducting springs are very
small, the meter cannot carry a high value of current.
Figure 3-16. - Internal construction of an electrodynamometer.