ASSIGNMENT 1 1.0 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF GRAVITY CONTROL (2.5) 2.

0 DESCRIBE THREE TYPES OF GENERATING DAMPING TORQUE (7.5) ASSIGNMENT 1 MARKING KEY 1.0 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF GRAVITY CONTROL Advantages i. Gravity controlled instrument is cheaper than corresponding spring controlled instrument ii. It is not subjected to fatigue iii. It is unaffected by temperature Disadvantages i. Gravity controlled instrument gives a cramped scale ii. The instrument must be leveled before use

2.0 DESCRIBE THREE TYPES OF GENERATING DAMPING TORQUE Air friction damping In this method, a light aluminium vane (or a piston) is attached to the spindle and it moves with a small clearance in a rectangular or circular air chamber closed at one end. As the piston moves forward the vane comes out of the chamber and a partial vacuum is created in the closed space. The atmospheric pressure then opposes the moving system in its rapid clockwise movement. When the pointer moves backwards (i.e. anticlockwise) the piston is pushed into the air chamber hence compressing the air in the closed space. This compressed air tries to push out the piston and thus opposes the anticlockwise direction movement of the pointer. In this way motion of the pointer is opposed and hence damping is produced. Eddy current damping This is one of the most effective and efficient damping methods. When a conducting disc (non-magnetic) is rotated in a magnetic field, eddy currents are produced in the disc according to faradays laws of electromagnetic induction. These eddy currents counteract with magnetic field to produce force which opposes the motion, hence providing the necessary damping torque. Eddy currents damping torque exist as long as the moving system is in motion.

The figures above show form of eddy current damping. A thin aluminium disc is attached to the spindle and is allowed to rotate horizontally in the air gap of a permanent magnet. When pointer moves, the aluminium disc also moves and cuts the magnetic lines of force. This induces eddy currents that produce a force opposing the motion of the disc, hence providing the necessary damping torque. There is no damping force created when the vanes are stationary. Fluid friction damping This is the third method of producing damping torque. Fluid friction damping is similar to air friction damping. Oil is commonly used in fluid friction damping. Damping in fluid friction damping is more effective due to greater viscosity of oil. Light vanes are attached to the spindle of the moving system. The vane is dipped in the pot of oil and is submerged completely in the oil. The motion of the moving system is always opposed by friction on the damping oil on vanes. The damping torque thus created always increases with increase in velocity of the vane. Oil damping is not much used because of several disadvantages such as objectionable creeping, necessity of using the instrument always in the vertical position and its unsuitability for use in portable instruments.