A moving-coil meter has 100 turns, coil length 40 mm, coil width 30 mm, and a uniform flux density B = 1 Wb/m^2. If the control (restoring) torque at full-scale is 240 × 10^-6 N·m, what is the full-scale current range of the meter?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 2 mA

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Permanent-magnet moving-coil (PMMC) instruments balance electromagnetic deflecting torque against a spring control torque. At full-scale deflection, the two torques are equal, which allows the full-scale current to be determined from geometry and magnetic field data. This is a standard single-step substitution problem in electrical measurements.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Number of turns N = 100.
  • Coil dimensions: length l = 0.04 m, width w = 0.03 m → area A = l * w = 0.0012 m^2.
  • Flux density B = 1 Wb/m^2 (uniform in the air gap).
  • Control torque at full scale T_c = 240 × 10^-6 N·m.
  • At full-scale: deflecting torque T_d = control torque T_c.


Concept / Approach:
Deflecting torque for PMMC: T_d = N * B * I * A. Set T_d = T_c and solve for the full-scale current I_fs. This is simple algebra with consistent SI units.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Compute area A = 0.04 * 0.03 = 0.0012 m^2.Set N * B * I_fs * A = 240 × 10^-6.I_fs = (240 × 10^-6) / (100 * 1 * 0.0012) = 240 × 10^-6 / 0.12 = 2 × 10^-3 A.Therefore I_fs = 2 mA.


Verification / Alternative check:

Units: (Wb/m^2)(A)(m^2) = Wb·A, which in this torque relation reduces to N·m; dimensions are consistent.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

1 mA, 3 mA, and 4 mA do not satisfy the torque balance with the given parameters.


Common Pitfalls:

Forgetting to convert millimeters to meters or miscomputing the area.


Final Answer:

2 mA

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