What is a galvanometer called when calibrated to read current?
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Solution
A galvanometer can be calibrated to read current, it can be called an Ammeter.
A galvanometer is an instrument that shows a deflection when current is passed through it. In this way, we can infer whether the current is passing through it or not.
It turns out that there is a direct linear relationship between the passing current and the angle of deflection. This means that the relationship is of the form where is the current passing through the galvanometer and is the angle of deflection shown by the galvanometer. is constant for a given galvanometer or galvanometer constant.
A galvanometer is generally a very sensitive device to current.
Only small currents can be measured in Galvanometer.
A galvanometer records the amount of current that flows through it.
Typically, a galvanometer can measure currents of the order of mA.
A shunt resistance of very low value, denoted by the letter is connected in parallel with the galvanometer so that it may measure currents of the magnitude of the main current. Hence, it is called Shunted Ammeter.