Frequency Meters

Introduction:
Frequency of the local supply can be measured by
many methods simply as from alternator.
f=NP/120
Where P is no: of poles of alternator and N is the rotor
speed in R.P.M.
A.C Bridges are also used for the measurement of
frequency.
Frequency can also be measured by portable
instruments called frequency meters.
The different types of frequency meters are :

I. Electrical Resonance Type
II. Mechanical Resonance Type (Vibrating Reed
Frequency Meter)
III. Weston Type
IV. Ratiometer Type
V. Saturable Core Type
VI. Digital Frequency Meter


It is works on the principle of
mechanical resonance of thin flat steel
reeds arrange alongside and close to
an electromagnet, that is why it is
known as vibrating reed frequency
meter.
It consists of thin metal strips called
as REEDS. These reeds are placed in
a row closed along an electromagnet.
Electromagnet has a core and a coil
connected across the supply whose
frequency is to be measured
All reeds are approx 4mm wide and 0.5mm thick.
Carrying different weights or flags at their top.
The reeds are so designed that natural frequency of one
reed differs by one or half a cycle from that of reed next
to it.
So if a frequency meter has range from 47-53 Hz then
natural frequency of the first reed will be 47 Hz, 47.5 Hz
for the second, 48 Hz and so on.
The reeds are fixed at the bottom and free to move at
the top (flags).
Reeds on a frequency meter are arranged to be viewed
and on they have a portion bent over at free end to serve
as a flag.

When instrument is connected across the supply to
measure the frequency an alternating flux sets up.
Due to this field an attractive force is experienced on the
reeds after every half cycles.
So all the reeds tend to vibrate.
But only the reed whose natural frequency is double to
that of supply frequency will vibrate with maximum
amplitude, due mechanical resonance.
The vibration of other reeds so slight as to be
unobservable.
If adjacent reeds vibrate with same amplitude then the
frequency will be half way between the frequency of the
two reeds.
It consists of iron core of
varying cross-section.
A fixed magnetizing coil
mounted at one end of
the iron core and a
moving coil with a
pointer attached to it.
It is pivoted so that it
can move freely over the
iron core.
The moving coil is connected across a capacitor and the
fixed coil is connected across the supply circuit whose
frequency is to be measured.
When magnetizing coil is connected across the supply
circuit magnet field will set up in phase with the current
and e.m.f lagging 90
o
behind the flux is induced in the
moving coil.
The current in the moving coil lags or leads the induced
e.m.f depending on the circuit of moving coil that
whether it is capacitive or inductive and in phase when
X
L
=X
C.
The torque on the moving system is given as:
T=I i cos (90
o
+); where
I= The Magnetizing Coil Current
I= The Moving Coil Current
= The phase angle between current and e.m.f induced in the
moving coil.
X
L
=X
C
so, = 0; hence no torque will be induced on the coil and
coil will become stationary at some point.
X
C
is constant at any particular frequency.
X
L
is dependent on the position of the moving coil from the
magnetizing coil.
Phasor Diagrams

When frequency is higher so X
C
is reduced
so a torque will be produced on the coil to push it away
from the magnetizing coil until X
L
=X
C

When frequency is lower so X
C
is increased
so a torque will be produced on the coil to pull it towards
the magnetizing coil until X
L
=X
C



The action of this type meter depends on variation in
current in two parallel paths one inductive and other non
inductive when frequency changes.
It consists two fixed coils A & B placed at 90
o
to each
other and a thin and soft iron needle is placed in
between the two coils.
Coil A is connected in series with inductance L
A
and
across resistance R
A
.
Coil B is connected in series with resistance R
B
and
across inductance L
B .
Inductance L is connected to suppress the harmonics.
When frequency is normal currents in both coils A & B
are equal so needle tends to align its axis in between the
two coils.

If frequency is higher then current in coil B increases
than coil A so its magnetic field becomes stronger and
needle tends to align its axis parallel to coil B hence
showing higher frequency on the scale.
If frequency is lower then current in coil A increases than
coil B so its magnetic field becomes stronger and needle
tends to align its axis parallel to coil A hence showing
lower frequency on the scale.