Javalab [Javalab] Lars Drud Nielsen
ldn@oersted.dtu.dk

Wheatstone bridge

With the voltage source turned on the bridge can be balanced - i.e. zero voltage difference between the two accentuated nodes - by a proper choice of the four vertical resistances. Make a random choice of three resistance values and see if you can obtain a balanced situation by adjusting the last resistance value.

Voc, Isc and RTh are the Thevenin parameters (open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and Thevenin resistance) as seen from the two nodes of the bridge. In the circuit shown the two nodes are connected by a variable load resistance.

RL is the total equivalent load as seen by the voltage source. Hence, the circuit may also be used to study the concepts of combined resistances, voltage division and current division.

Special cases will occur when one or more of the restances equal zero. If for instance two diagonally opposite resistances equal zero the three remaining resistances will be seen from the voltage source as a parallel combination.

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