MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE BY ANDERSON'S METHOD,

USING ALTERNATING CURRENTS AND A VIBRATION GALVANOMETER.

By Edward

1.

B.

Rosa and Fredeeick W. Grover.

HISTORY OF THE METHOD.

Several modifications of Maxwell's method

of comparing an induc-

tance with a capacity have been proposed in order to obviate the double

adjustment of resistances necessary

in that

method.

Maxwell showed

Fig. 1. Maxwell's method.

if (1) the bridge is balanced for steady currents and ar the same
time (2) the resistances are so chosen that there is no deflection of the
galvanometer when the battery current is suddenl}^ closed or broken,
then

that

L=OEQ=OPS
where

is

the inductance in the

Electricity

arm

A D^

(1)

the resistance of which

and Magnetism,

778.

291

is

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

292

Q^ C is the value of the capacity in parallel with

are noninductive resistances.

[vol.

1,

NO.

3.

B^ and P^ B, and S

In order to satisfy both of these conditions two of the arms of the

bridge must be varied simultaneously, so that the balance for steady
currents ma}'' be maintained while the balance for transient currents
This is general^ a tedious process, although by means of
is sought.
a small variable inductance in Q^ in addition to the inductance to be
measured, and a multiple valued condenser the process might be considerably accelerated.

In 1891 Professor Anderson proposed" an important modification

of Maxwell's method, which consisted in joining the condenser to a

point ^, separated from (7 by a variable resistance r. The bridge

being balanced for steady currents by varying any one of the four
arms of the bridge, the balance for transient currents is then made by
c

BATTERY OR
A.C.GENERATOR

Fig. 2.Anderson's method.

which does not disturb the balance of the bridge for steady
This change, which rendered the two adjustments independremoved at once a most serious difficulty and made the method

varying

7\

currents.
ent,

thoroughly practicable.
Anderson's demonstration for the case of transient currents gives
for the value of the inductance (changing the letters to correspond to
fig. 2)

Z = 0[r{Q+S)^FS]

If r=^0,

L = CPS,

(2)

as in Maxwell's method.

In the use of Anderson's method r

may be

small, so that

the principal part of the expression for the inductance, or

and the

it

OPS is
may

be

term, Cr {Q-\-S)^ represents the larger part of L.

Thus a considerable range of values of inductance may be measured
larger,

first

Phil. Mag., 31, p. 329, 1891.

ROSA,

GROVER. ]

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

293

without changing the arms of the bridge or the capacity of the

condenser.

Stroud and Oates have proposed another modification of Maxwell's

method, which they have used with much success in measuring inducInstead of employing an interrupted current from a battery,
tances.
as Anderson had done, they used an alternating current and an alternating-current galvanometer, the latter being essentially a d' Arson val
galvanometer, with the field magnet laminated and strongly excited
by an alternating current from the generator. The galvanometer was
thus made very sensitive, and to increase the sensitiveness still further
^'

the resistance r was placed outside the bridge, as

will be seen that this

separating the point

shown

in Fig. 3.

It

arrangement differs from Maxwell's only in

from the terminal of the condenser by the

Fig.

3.

Stroud's method.

which in Anderson's method is in

C and D. As the resistance r is
sometimes several hundred ohms, it reduces the sensibility when in
the galvanometer circuit, whereas in the arrangement of Fig. 3 the
electromotive force can be increased if r is large, and so keep the
same current in the bridge as when r is small, and thus maintain the

auxiliary adjustable resistance

?',

the galvanometer circuit between

sensibility.

The expression for the inductance L in Stroud's method (changing

the letters to correspond with Fig. 3) is

Z=C\t{Q^P)-\-PS\
which closely resembles the formula for Anderson's method, but
fers in having Q^P'wi the first term instead of Q^8.
Phil. Mag.,

6, p. 707, 1903.

(3)

dif-

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

294

[VOL.

1,

NO.

3.

Prof esssor Fleming has pointed out that Stroud's arrangement may
be regarded as conjugate to Anderson's, the galvanometer and source
of current being interchanged, Fig. 4.
In this case the formula is
exacth^ the same as for Anderson's method.

If, however. Fig. 4 be

rearranged so as to agree with Fig. 3, it will be found that the arms
and S are interchanged, and consequently that these letters must be
interchanged in the formula for L. This changes equation (2) into
equation (3).

Fleming and Clinton have employed Anderson's method for the

measurement of small inductances, using a battery and a rotating
commutator and galvanometer," and later Fleming employed an interrupted current, produced by a vibrating armature, and a telephone.^
c

GALVANOMETER

Fig.

4.

Showing Stroud's method as conjugate to Anderson's.

During the past two years we have employed Anderson's method for
the measurement of both large and small inductances, using
ter}' as

(1)

a bat-

a source of current and a d'Arsonval galvanometer, with a

rotating commutator to interrupt and reverse simultaneously the cur(2), what has proved more satisan alternating current and a vibration galvanometer, the latter being tuned to the frequency of the current furnished by the

rent and galvanometer terminals; or

factor}^,

generator.
2.

We have

ADVANTAGES OF THE METHOD.

found the method rapid and convenient in practice and the

vibration galvanometer sufficient!}^ sensitive to permit very accurate

settings.

As compared with

inductance,

it

other methods of accurately measuring

possesses striking advantages,

some of which

will here

be specifically mentioned.
Phil. Mag.,o,

p.

493; 1903.

&Phil. Mag.,

7, p.

586; 1904.

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER.]

295

{a) All methods of measuring inductances without the use of a condenser (or other known inductance) require an accurate knowledge of
It is not difficult
the frequenc}^ of the alternating current employed.
to determine accurately the mean f reqaenc}" of an alternating current,
even when the generator is inaccessible, as a counter may be employed

to record on a chronograph the number of revolutions in a given time;

moreover, the speed of the generator may be maintained sufficiently
But to hold the speed
constant to enable good settings to be made.
steady enough to make settings of a high order of accuracy is difficult
and requires an assistant to control the speed. With Anderson's
method, even with a tuned galvanometer, slight changes of frequency
are not detrimental, and hence the labor of taking the observations is

greatly reduced.

The inductance

determined in terms of a capacity, in addition

which are also required in other methods of
measuring inductance. A capacity can be measured by Maxwell's
bridge method, using a commutator, with very great exactness, provided care is taken in choosing the resistances of the arms of the
bridge," and also provided the temperature of the condenser is taken
and a temperature correction subsequently applied whenever necessary
The capacit}^ of a condenser is not the same for slow charges as for
rapid charges, and hence, if Anderson's method is used for transient
currents, the capacity employed in the formula should correspond
to the conditions of the experiment.
As the successive makes and
breaks of the current are likel}^ to be irregular, the result would
be that the effective capacity would vary slightly in successive trials,
even with the best mica condensers. On the other hand, using an
(b)

is

to several resistances,

interrupted or alternating current of constant frequency, the capacity

is

uniform and definite, and if it is measured at the same frequency

In our experiments we employ
is no uncertainty as to its value.

there

an eight-pole generator, giving four complete cycles in each revoluTo this generator is joined the commutator which is employed
in charging and discharging the condenser when measuring its capacity,
the commutator having four segments, and hence charging and discharging the condenser four times in each revolution. Thus the frequency of charge and discharge of the condenser may be made exactly
the same in use as when its capacity is measured.
The change of
capacity of a condenser with the frequency is very slight, but in measurements of the highest accuracy it is well to eliminate the slight
uncertainty due to change of frequency.
tion.

a Bulletin of the

Bureau

of Standards, No. 2, 1905.

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

296

The formula

[vol.1, no.

3.

simple, and comThere is, however,

to permit measuring inductances of a
a sufficient
ver}^ wide range of values with the same bridge, using comparatively
few values of the capacity.
{d) The method is particularly well adapted to measure inductance
b}^ the substitution method, where the inductance to be determined is
replaced by a standard of nearly equal value. The difference between
them can then be measured with very great precision, the residual
(c)

parativel}^

for calculating the inductance

few quantities have

number of variables

is

to be measured.

errors of the bridge being nearly

if

not entirely eliminated.

There are no disadvantages of the method that are not shared by

other methods, except so far as the use of a condenser may be deemed
a disadvantage. There are, however, some sources of error to be
guarded against which we shall discuss later.
3.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF A VIBRATION GALVANOMETER.

When the bridge is completely balanced (the conditions for a resistance balance and an inductance balance being simultaneously satisfied)
the current will be zero in the galvanometer at every instant. If,
however, the steady current balance is slightly disturbed b}^ the heating of the resistances, especially that of the inductance coil to be
measured, no adjustment of the variable resistance r will make the
current in the galvanometer zero. The result is that the needle of the
galvanometer will have a certain minimum amplitude of vibration
when r is correctly set. If now one of the resistances (say Q) is
slightly altered, a complete balance may be attained and the needle
This will be seen to be a distinct advantage,
will be perfectly still.
for one is always certain, when the needle is quiet, that hoth of the
conditions of the hridge are satisfied; namely, the condition of the
simple Wheatstone bridge {P S=jR 0, and the condition imposed by
the presence of the inductance which requires a particular value for
the resistance r. But the vibration galvanometer does more than
merely save the trouble of going back to the use of a direct current
and a direct current galvanometer
holds; for,

to see

when an appreciable current

is

whether the balance

still

used, the resistance ma}^ be

changing sufficiently to render such a test insufficient. The vibration

galvanometer, on the other hand, insures that at the very moment
when the inductive balance is attained the resistance balance also holds,
and thus no error from this cause can enter.
Still further, if the resistance of the inductive coil, or of the arms
of the bridge, is different when carrying alternating current from its
resistance when carrving direct current (as it always is, although the
difference

is

very small for

tine

wires and low frequencies), the vibra-

MEASUKEMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

297

tion galvanometer takes account of the true resistance under the conditions of the experiment as a direct current galvanometer could not
do.

This

is

of considerable importance in measuring the inductance

Neither a telephone nor an alternating current

galvanometer possesses this advantage.
In practice it is not necessary to make a close adjustment of the
direct-current balance at all, as this can be determined just as well by
the vibration galvanometer. In our work a graduated scale is viewed
in a telescope by reflection from the mirror of the vibration galvanometer, the filament of an incandescent lamp used to illuminate the
When an approximate adjustscale being also seen in the telescope.
ment of T and Q is secured, the filament will appear somewhat broadof coils of large wire.
d' Arson val

20

(\

315

\
h

y
5

-^

^^ y

M2'

(0

\
\

1U

116

118

^"^
120

T22

124

Periods per Second

Fig.

5.

Sensibility curve of the vibration galvanometer.

ened by the slight vibration of the needle of the galvanometer. Small

changes in r and Q are then made successively until the filament appears
This
as a fine line and the lines on the scale are perfectly distinct^.
adjustment can be made so delicately that a change in r or Q of one
part in a hundred thousand can be detected, when measuring inductances of large values.

The
that

chief disadvantage of the vibration galvanometer lies in the fact

its

sensibility decreases rapidly

rent varies

when

the frequency of the cur-

from the natural period of the galvanometer.

frequency but

falls off

The

sensi-

range of about one-half per cent in the

rapidly when the frequency goes beyond this

bility is nearly constant for a

range.

Wien: Ann.

d.

Phys., 309, p. 441; 1901.

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

298

[vol.1,no.3.

In order to maintain the frequency at the point of maximum sensia Maxwell bridge is emplo3^ed, as when measuring the capacity

bilit}^

The condenser capacit}^ and resistances of the bridge

remaining constant, any change in speed causes a deflection of the
galvanometer. An adjustable carbon resistance in the armature circuit of the driving motor permits the speed to be adjusted so that the
deflection is reduced to zero.
The motor is driven by current from a
storage battery, and hence the changes in speed are relatively small.
A glance at the galvanometer scale at an}^ time shows whether the
speed is correct, and if not, it is quickly adjusted by means of the
of a condenser.

rheostat.

Fig. 5 gives the sensibility curve of the vibration galvanometer,

showing two peaks of high

second, respectiveh

low

much

sensibility.

less

At

than

it is

The curve

and 120 vibrations per

at frequencies outside the

peaks of

maximum

by changes of temperature, and can

varying the length and tension of the suspen-

is

be altered at pleasure b}^

sensibility at 110.6

a frequency of 115 the sensibilit}^ is very

affected

sion wire.
4.

A
is

THE APPARATUS.

Rubens vibration galvanometer,^ having a resistance of 200 ohms,

Its frequency may be varied between 100 and 200 per sec-

used.

ond, but has been used chiefly at about 110.

The

several resistances are of manganin, and are all

submerged

in

temperatures to be more
The values of these resistances have been
accurately determined.
carefully measured every day that measurements of inductance have
been made, when results of the highest accuracy have been sought.
In series with the resistances r and Q^ and forming part of them, are
two slide wires which enable these resistances to be adjusted to 0.001
ohm, or even less, when necessary.
In order to eliminate as far as possible the errors due to slight
changes in the arms
and It of the bridge, as well as any difference
in their residual inductance and capacity, these resistances are alwaj^s
made equal and a commutator is emplo3^ed to reverse them; a pair of
readings is taken in every case, the mean of which is used in the calculation.
The resistances Q and 8 were taken from two resistance
boxes, in which the higher coils are subdivided to reduce the electrostatic capacity of the coil.
We found in some of our early work that
the residual capacit}^ or inductance of noninductive resistances may be
considerable; in the lower resistance coils the inductance predominates,
and in the higher coils the capacity predominates. The connecting
oil,

and

to prevent heating

to enable their

W. Oehmke, maker,

Berlin.

KOSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVEE.

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ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

"I

GROVER. J

301

leads have substantial terminals and the resistances of these leads, in

thousandths of an ohm, is stamped on the terminals. Their values are

always included in making up the corrected resistances of the bridge.
The measurements shown in Tables I and II, made March 23, illustrate the results obtained in the determination of inductances of one
henry and one-tenth henry. An electromotive force of about 50 volts
was employed on the bridge.
Fig. 6 shows
as to reverse

(QS)

how

the commutator was connected to the bridge so

P and

i?,

which are equal.

Formula

(2)

in this case

reduces to

Z=6'x^(2r+P).
Columns 4 and

give the nominal values of r in the two positions

column 5 the mean value, corrected from the

of the commutator, and

Fig. 6.Showing

arms

results of

commutator for interchanging two

Anderson Bridge.

of the

the latest comparison of

the resistances

with standard

resistances.

Column 9 gives the capacity of the condenser C. Where two

inductances are measured in series the measured sum is given in col-

umn

and the sum of the separate values are given in the next collast column gives the differences between these measured
values and the sums of the separate values.
While these differences
are very small, averaging less than one in ten thousand, they are
appreciable and always positive. This indicates that there may be

umn.

10,

The

some constant source of error

5.

in the bridge.

SOURCES OF ERROR.

The results given above show that measurements of inductance of

very great precision can be made by Anderson's method, provided
there are no constant errors of appreciable magnitude entering into

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

302

the results.

[vol.1, no.

3.

Such errors might be due to any one of the following

causes:
(a) The residual inductance or capacity of the resistance r and of
the arms of the bridge (not including, of course, the inductance of

being measured) may introduce a constant error

we have always made the arms
and
equal in value and reversed them by a commutator, in order to
eliminate any difference there may be in their resistances or in their
inductances or capacities. But the differences between Q and S can
not thus be eliminated. The total resistance of Q is, of course, equal
to S, since PB, (except for a small change due to residual inductances, to be discussed later), but part of this is in the inductive coil
itself.
Residual inductance in the noninductive part of Q makes the
measured value of L too large, and, conversely, capacity would make
it too small.
The effect of inductance or capacity in 8 is of opposite
sign to that of Q^ and hence if the resistances of Q and S are similar^
that is, made up as far as possible of the same kind of coils, then
their effects will balance except for that part of 8 which equals the
resistance of the inductive coil.
In our work S was fixed in any given
case, and Q was varied to secure a balance; thus Q usually contains
the coil in
in Z.

Q which

As

is

stated above,

number of small resistances in addition to the slide wire, and these

can not be counterbalanced exactly by S.

(b) The inductive coils must be removed some distance from the
bridge and from each other when two or more are measured at once.
This requires leads of one to three meters in length (for the larger
inductances), and these leads may affect the measured value of the
If they are close together, so as to be noninductive (as
inductance.
twisted lamp cord, for instance), they possess an appreciable capacity;
and if far enough apart to be free from capacity, they possess measurIn measuring small inductance coils the capacity
able inductance.
effect is small, and it is better to have the leads close together and as

short as is safe.
With large inductances the capacity of the leads is
more important, and it is better to have them farther apart, to reduce
it to a minimum.
The inductance of the leads can then be calculated
(or separately

the same leads

measured) and applied as a correction, if desired, or

be employed with a given coil and consid-

may always

ered as a part of the coil. The inductance of the wires joining the
condenser to the bridge tends to reduce the capacity in the ratio of

pi to

or

jpHc to unity,

where

is

the small inductance of the leads;

on the other hand, if these leads are close together, their capacity is
added to that of the condenser. In our experiments, where the leads

ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER, ]

were short and wide apart, both these

effects

were inappreciable.

303
But

currents of high f requenc}^ are used, particularly with large capacity,

the error due to the inductance of the leads may be appreciable; on

if

the other hand, with small condenser capacity, the error due to the
capacity of lead wires near together (as a twisted lamp cord) may be
considerable and of opposite sign to the other. In precision measurements, therefore, care should be taken that no error is introduced in
this

manner.

The inductive

coil itself has a certain electrostatic capacity which

measured inductance by an amount depending on the frequency of the current and the inductance of the coil, as well as its
The approximate value of the expression for the measured
capacity.'*
inductance Z' in terms of the true inductance Z is
(c)

modifies

its

and jp^n times the

frequency. In practice, c is found by measuring Z' at two different
frequencies; it is too small to be important for the smaller values of
inductance at low frequencies. One of our inductance coils, having
an inductance of 1 henry, has a capacity of 1 X 10"^" farads. For a
frequency of 112, this value makes the correction term j?^ 6Z in the
above expression .00005, a quantity which can be detected, but which
is not a large error.
If, however, the frequency were ten times as
great, this term would become .005, a very important correction.

where

The

c is the electrostatic capacity of the coil

electrostatic capacity of a coil can be

made

relatively small

by

deep channel, so that there are many layers and comparatively few turns in a layer.
This, however, reduces its inductance, and in practice it is better not to depart very far from the form

winding

giving

it

in a

maximum

inductance.

The

electrostatic capacity of the cord,

as already pointed out, increases the value of this correction term.

{d)

The capacity

of the condenser, as already stated, can be deter-

mined with very great accuracy, and by taking careful account of the
temperature of the condenser and its temperature coefficient, there
will be very little uncertainty in the value of the capacity.
The question remains, however, as to what effect the absorption in the condenser produces on the measured value of the inductance when used
Anderson's method.
The effect of absorption is to cause the
little behind its phase in a perfect condenser.
That
is, it is in advance of the electromotive force by a little less than 90.
We give below a theoretical investigation of this question, and also

in

current to lag a

Wien: Ann. d.Phys., 44,

1903.

p. 711; 1891.

Dolezalek: Ann. d. Phys., 12, p. 1153;

BULLETO OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

304

[vol.

1,

no.

3,

experimental measures, wherein the phase of the condenser current is

b}^ placing a resistance in series with it.
Fortunately, the
error due to the slight displacement of phase produced by the small
absorption in a good mica condenser, is inappreciable. The effect of
shifted back

slight leakage
6.

is

also inv^estigated below,

and proves to be inappreciable.

CALCULATION OF THE EFFECT OF THE RESIDUAL INDUCTANCES AND

CAPACITIES OF THE ARMS OF THE BRIDGE.
Inductance in any arm of the bridge causes the current to lag, while
The angular lag due to an inductance I is
its phase.

capacity advances

^, and

the angular advance due to capacity

follows from the fact that the capacity c

ance.
90^^

The current through the

ahead of

this

hpcE.

this is the angle of

The

is

resistance

is

The

jpcR.

in parallel
is

ratio of these

-^

latter value

with the

resist-

the capacity current

two currents

advance of the resultant current.

If

is

pcB^ and

pi

pcR^

the current will have the same phase as though both capacity and

inductance were absent.

free

from inductance;

tive inductance equal to

Fig.

7.

Thus,

if Z

if Z

< <?i^%

cB^

Network

of

it

cB^ the

may be

coil

may

be considered

considered to possess nega-

I.

Anderson Bridge, with currents,

and impedances of the arms

resistances, inductances,

separateiy indicated.

The

actual values of these residual positive or negative inductances

vary widely, according to the length of wire on a coil, and its size, thickHigh-resistance coils,
ness of insulation, and manner of winding.
made of many turns of fine wire wound in the usual noninductive
manner, have relatively large capacity, which we here regard as negaIn low-resistance coils of fewer turns of coarse wire
tive inductance.
the inductance predominates, and I is therefore positive.

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

To

305

calculate the effect of these residual inductances,

we

shall forna

the equations for the networks of the Anderson bridge, assuming each
branch to have positive or negative inductance, and solve for L the

inductance of the coil to be measured.

In

fig.

7 the resistances,

arm

of the bridge are

inductances, impedances, and currents in each

indicated,

arrows.

and the positive directions of the currents are shown by

Thus,

P, Q^ B^ S^

g^

a^^

(^1,

<^37

<3^25

u^x^y^x

<^4?

r^ 0,

4, 0,

^0, Zj, Zg, Zg, ^4,

<^5?

are the resistances.

Z7

are the small inductances,

^6? ^7

^^^

z^y -\-u^2^z u^x-\- y

The values

^^

or

impcdauccs.

are the currents.

of the impedances in the eight branches of the bridge are

then as follows:

2=^+^>

(^2+-^)

a^B-\-ip \
a^

ari

S-\rip

l^

B-\-ip

l^

Applying Kirchhoff's law

(5)

to the four circuits

A C

D^

CB

E,

E B D^ A D B^wQ have the following equations:

a-^x -\-a^z-\-aQU

=0
0

a^y

aj^x z) a^{z u)
aj^zu) aj^y-]ru)

ar,z

(6)

a^u^Q

Rearranging the terms of these equations, we have

a^u-^-a^xa^y-^-a^z

=0

{a^-\-a^-\-a^)u-\ra^ya^z

=0

a^u-\-a^x-\-{a^-\ra^

Solving for
a^

u^ the

~A

a^

(6^3+^5+^6)

a^
a^ (3+fl^4-h7)

^4No.

2\

305

~\ra^)y=E

current through the galvanometer,

a^

(7)

E
A

a,

(3

we

obtain

+ 5 + 6)

(8)

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

306
If

[vol.

i,

no.

3.

w=0, we then have

or,

Substituting the values of the impedances given in

(5)

above,

we

have

(10)

-{Q+ip{k-\-L))

{R+ipQ^=0

Separating the real and imaginary parts,

we have

first,

for the real

part

Transposing and dividing by

y^")

(r)

or,ifA=(7s[r(^)+p],
L=L,+a-ft
If the small inductances
case, the last

and since

Zj,

4, hi

h-,

h ^^^

(12)

zero, as in the ideal

two terms disappear and

in the

Wheatstone

fP ]
P^Q
bridge ^=-^ we have

(13)

L=0\:r{Q^-SnPS\,
which is the expression
son's method.

The

last

term

gible, unless the

excessive.

ft

in

(2)

given above for the inductance by Ander-

equation

freauency

is

(12),

having a coefficient ^^^-d"

is

negli-

very high or the residual inductances

ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER. ]

307

The second term a gives the principal correction due to the inductIt will be seen that the inductances in the four arms of the bridge.
ance of the resistance r enters only in /?, which is negligible when l^
is

small,

and the galvanometer inductance has disappeared entirely

The second term oc consists of four parts, two of

from the equation.

which are positive and two negative.

to the

two arms

P=R and
(since

P and ^,

reversing

PR)

is

is

The part

-q {liSl^Q),

due

eliminated in our experiments by making

P and E.

The remainder

due to the two remaining arms

-^

(l^

P\ ^) = ^4~^2

Q and

S.

As

stated

made up of similar
coils, (i. e., coils of the same resistance wound in the same manner with
the same size wire) their inductances will be nearly equal. They
above,

if

these two arms consist of resistances

might be exactly equal,

is

if

the inductive coil

therefore desirable to have

then
If

l^

and

l^

had no

resistance.

It

as nearly equal as possible,

and

when necessary apply a correction for their difference.

we divide the expression for oc in equation (11) above, by

remembering that

P^
= -pQ
Q
p
Q

(approximately),

_^

'Vk

_^

we

Q^

obtain

^ ^

Aj_Ph~\

(14)

V
where ^i, ^g? ^3? ^4 ^re the phase angles of the currents in the four
arms of the bridge, due to the combined inductance and capacity of
the resistances jP, Q^ B^ S^ neglecting, of course, the inductance
L in Q, which is to be measured. These angles may be positive or
negative.

If

they are

all

equal, or

if

(l>^-\-(l>^=(^^-{-(^^

(algebraically)

the correction term reduces to zero.

As we shall show below, these angles are appreciable in the "noninductive" windings usual in resistance boxes, and the correction a is
therefore important in precision work. The resistances may, however, be so wound and adjusted as to make the angles ^ inappreciable.
The imaginary part of equation (10) above gives

PS-RQ=j>\l, l,-k (h+L))+p'0iPRl,+8E (l,+ l,)

\,.,.
+P8(i,+k)+r{Sk+Sk+Pk+Rk) ^-p'C(k k+kh+ij.) h=ry

'

If

Zj,

4,

Zg, Z^,

Z5

are

all zero, this

reduces to

PSRQ0^ which is

the

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

308

[vol.1, NO.

3.

condition for the Wheatstone bridge and the condition assumed in the
ideal

Anderson bridge.

But when these quantities are not zero

pa

condition does not hold and

error

is

The

introduced in calculating

Q is assumed equal

unless

is

to

^^,

y^. Consequently, an

not equal to

Z from

this

the formula

instead of using

its

(2)

of Anderson,

actual value.

variation of Q, due to changes in one or more of the small

I {P^ i?, and 8 remaining unchanged), is illustrated in some

inductances

of the examples given below.

7.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE FORMULAE.

In order to ascertain the order of magnitude of the corrections a

from zero in
/? of formula (12), and the variation of
following
the
shall
assume
the
values
of
constants
for cases I,
we
(15),

PSRQ

and
II,

and III:

Z=l

henry,

C=l microfarad,
P=P=^50 ohms,
S = 500= Q (approximately),
r=8T5,

y= 500,000.
Inductances in Microhenrys.

Case.

+
+
-

4-10

^1

k
h

Case I
all

II

is

2
2
2

+25
+40
+25
+50
+50

IV

III

-1, 500

50

+100

250

50

-100

-5, 000

+100

100

supposed to represent a specially wound bridge in which

the inductances are small, but in order to

make

it

represent the

most unfavorable case two are taken positive and two negative, so
to give a

as

maximum

value to the error a.

Case II represents a favorable arrangement where the coils are sim-

and the inductances

all positive, but with larger values than those

being such as might be expected in practice.
In Case III we have assumed that /^is a single coil of fine wire, having the capacity effect greater than the inductance by an amount

ilar

of case

I,

ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER. ]

309

is
equivalent to a negative inductance of 50 microhenrys, whereas
of several coils of coarser wire, giving a smaller capacity and

made up

Similarl}^ S is suplarger inductance, and hence Zg is taken as +50.

posed to be a single coil of 500 ohms, with capacity predominating,
and equivalent to a negative inductance of 100 microhenrys, while Q
is the sum of several smaller coils, and l^ is therefore positive and
equal to 100 microhenrys. This is perhaps an extreme case, but not
an improbable one.
In case IV larger resistances are assumed, viz:

P=l, 000

= (approximately).

^==^=5,000.
7'=833.3.

6^=0.1 microfarad.

P, Q^ and S are assumed to have negative inductances, each being

supposed to consist of a single coil (or mainly of large coils, as in the
is supposed to be made up of smaller coils having
case of Q)^ while
the inductance and capacity balanced. The values of the inductances
chosen for P, Q, and S are approximately those found in noninductive
resistances of such magnitudes.
Substituting the above values of the constants in equation (11) we
find the following values of a and /?:

Case.

Lo

fi

Henry

-0. 000012

II

"

+0. 000010

III

"

-0. 000400

+
+

IV

"

-0. 002250

-34

4
1.
1.

X
X
X

10~''

10~

'

10"

'

X10~'

These results show that the f3 term is small in comparison with ^,

and may be neglected. The correction a is as large in case I as in
Case II, showing that if the several small inductances are all of the
same sign, and proportional to the resistances, they cancel out, except
for the necessary inequality in 4 and Z^, due to the resistance of the
coil to be measured.
If the inductances of the coils are adjusted to
as small values as 2 microhenrys for each arm, they may be either
positive or negative without making the error appreciable, as the error
in case I, with l^ and l^ opposite in sign to 4 and Zg is the greatest possible for such values of

Z^,

Zg, Zg, Z^.

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

310

The

results

rection

shown

term a

[VOL.

1,

NO.

3.

in Table III illustrate the importance of the cor-

for coils of smaller inductances, namely: 100, 10,

1, 0.1,

and 0.01 millihenry s.

Table

III. Showing the Values of the Correction a for Various Values

OF Inductances and the Corresponding Values of Capacities and Resistances.

Inductance to

Capac-

be meas-

ity.

P=E

Microfarads.

Micro-

Micro-

Ohms.

henrys.

henrys.

100

1.0

250

10

0.4

100

0.1

50

0.1

0.05

20

0.01

0.02

20

Q=S

Micro-

Micro-

Ohms.

henrys.

henrys.

Ohms.

henrys.

ured.

Milli-

henry s.

+2

-2

250

-2

+1

-1.0

100

+0.5

-0.5

100

-1
-1

+0.5

-0.5

50

-0.5

+0.5

-0.5

20

-0.5

Milli-

+2
+1
+1

75

0.008

75

0.004

25

0.004

+0.5
+0.5

10

0.

0045

0.002

2.5

be seen that the error a in the case of 100 millihenrys is

it is appreciable and in
the smaller coils it amounts to several per cent. These computed
It will

scarcely appreciable, but that in the others

errors, as before, are the

maximum

values for the assumed residual

we have

taken l^ and l^ of opposite sign to 4 and l^.

In practice we should therefore expect smaller errors on the average
unless the values of the Z's are larger.
If the coils are not wound to
a minimum value of the inductance, the errors may be much larger
than those above. It is therefore our practice in measuring small

inductances, since

inductances to take them by difference, leaving P, i?, and S unchanged

and altering Q to compensate for the resistance of the coil to be measIf the inductances of the resistances of Q^ or at least of the
part to be replaced by the coil to be measured, are accurately known,

ured.

two determinations gives the true inductance desired.

is found from equation (15) by substituting
In case /above,
the values of the resistances and residual inductances.
SQ is only .003 ohm, while in Case /F it is 4.55 ohms. In

the difference of

The value

of

other words,

bridge

is

PSBQ

is

larger

b}^

4.55

ohms

in a total of 1,000

exactly balanced for alternating current than

it

when
is

the

for a

Consequently, if, as is sometimes done, the

balanced with direct current, and then an alternating current
applied, the resistance balance no longer holds, if there are residual

direct-current balance.

bridge
is

is

inductances and capacities, and

ohms

Q may

require a change of several

to secure the resistance balance, the inductive balance being

ROSA,

MEASUEEMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER. ]

effected as

we have

seen above by varying-

r.

311

In calculating Z, how-

ever, no account need be taken of Q^ as it is eliminated from the

expression (13) for L. Hence there is no occasion to calculate the

value of y in
8.

(15).

EFFECT OF RESISTANCE IN SERIES AND IN PARALLEL WITH THE

CONDENSER.

a mica condenser is not entirely free from absorption and might

show vslight leakage, it is desirable to ascertain how large an error,
if any, is produced by using such a condenser instead of the ideal condenser assumed in the theory of the Anderson bridge, namely, one in

As

also

which the impedance

is

^-^.

Resistance in series with a perfect con-

denser produces the same phase displacement as a certain amount of

absorption, and resistance in parallel with the condenser has the effect
of leakage or imperfect insulation.

Fig.

8. Resistance in

series

and in

In a good mica condenser the

parallel with the condenser.

phase of the current with a frequency of 100 per second should differ from quadrature with the electromotive force by not more than
one minute of angle, and may be as small as 30", although it may be
several minutes in inferior condensers (even as high as 30').
For paper
condensers the angle may be as small as 4' and as large as several
degrees. For a condenser of one microfarad capacity, with a f requeue}^
of 100 per second, 30" of angle corresponds to a resistance in series
with the condenser of 0.23 ohm, whereas 30' would correspond to a
resistance of 11 ohms.
In other words, such resistances in series with perfect condensers
would give currents of the same phases as the imperfect condensers
employed. A leakage resistance less than a thousand megohms would
never occur in a good condenser. We shall now calculate (1) the effect

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

312

[vol.1,no.3.

of introducing resistance in series with the condenser to correspond

with absorption and (2) of placing a high-resistance shunt around the

condenser to represent leakage. In fig. 8 these two resistances are
represented b}^ r^ and. i\. If we substitute the values of the impedances of the arms of the bridge in formula (9), we shall obtain an
expression for the inductance to be measured in the same manner as
before.
In this case, however, we assume for convenience that the
resistances P, Q^ R^ jS, and r are all free from inductance or capacity
(except, of course, Z in Q), and hence

a^

Tyin the

first case,

^fi=^i+"=

and
{a)

when

a^

-^\-'^fi

in the second case.

Resistance in series with the condenser.

Equation

(9)

becomes,

the above values of the impedances are substituted,

PRS^PSr^PS {r,^-^^R&r-{Q^ipL) (n+j^) ^=0

Separating the real and imaginary parts,

we

have,

first,

(16)

for the real

part,

PS {R+r^-r,)^-RSr- QRr,-^ R=0

Z= CS[r^-^^^P]+ Or, [^- Q]

or,

The

first

term of

the value of
bridge.

To

Z when

this expression is the

r^ is

zero,

-o Q

find its value in this case

part of (16) above.

This imaginary part

same as that of
would be zero

we make use

(lY)

(13),

and

is

in the ideal

of the imaginary

is

PS-RQ

or,

PS- RQ^ -fLRr^ C,

Whence

Q=^+p'Lr, C.

(18)

measurement OF INDUCTANCE.

grS^ek.]

313

DO'

Substituting the value of ~~p~Q^ derived from (18), in equation (17),

we have

Z= CSlJ'-^^^^-P^-pWLC'
In

fig.

denser,

7\

which

is

is

(19)

the impedance diagram of a con-

the series resistance, equivalent (in

its

upon the phase angle) to the absorption, and B is

the small angle by which the current falls short of
effect

90 in

its

tive force.

phase relation to the impressed electromo-

Hence tan dpCr^.

Substituting in (19)

above,

or,

L=L,-L tan^

Z=Zo(l-tan^

^)

(20)

9.Impedance
diagram of an im-

Fig.

since Z^, the value of

same

substantially the

when
as Z.

densers, as stated above, 6

0.00015; tan^ 6

is

Hence the angle

the correction

is

therefore only
6

might be ten

appreciable error, although in

tested the angle
(b)

is

large enough

is

zero,

is

In the best mica conabout half a minute, and tan 6 is

about two parts in a hundred million.
times as large without producing an
some mica condensers that we have
to produce a sensible error.

Resistance in parallel with the condenser.

Substituting -i\-'^p

for a^ in equation (9) above, we get a solution for the case of resistance
in parallel with the condenser.
The direct substitution gives

The

real part of this

is

PBS-^PSr-^BSr^{PS-RQ)r, =

^
Hence,

^ PS S^{PB).^^
^^^

^~^^VS^'

Thus, the variation in Q is inversely proportional to r^^ the shunt

and to the capacity of the condenser, and directly proportional to Z.
The leakage resistance through a condenser is inversely
proportional to the capacity, so that in general r^ C is independent of
the value of the capacity, but depends on the quality of the condenser.
resistance,

BULLETIN OF THE BUKEAU OF STANDAKDS.

314

megohms and 0=1

If /2=1000

tion of

is in

[vol.1,xo.3.

microfarad, 7^2^=1000 and the varia-

that case very small.

The imaginar}^ part

of equation (21) above

is

Z=CS[r^-'^^^+F] = Z,

or,

This

is

equation

(13),

and shows that

7\

has no

(23)

effect

whatever on the

measured value of L.
9.

In Table

IV

VERIFICATION OF

FORMULA

11, 18, 19, 22, 23.

the results are given of a series of measurements

formula

made

introducing a small inductance successively

in each of the arms of the bridge; the fi term in this formula is negligible, in comparison with , except for the case of inductance in r
to verify

only, in

(11) b}^

which case a

is

zero and the

ft

term has then been computed.

the fifth case in the table, where the observed change (^ ft in

this case, as Aa=o) is 0.01 millihenry, whereas the calculated effect is

This
still

is

But the inductance coil measured has an inductance of

and hence the observed change is only one part in a hundred

smaller.

1 henry,

thousand, a quantit}^ barely measureable.

If we differentiate formula (12) we have, since L does not change
when the inductance coil is inserted in any arm of the bridge, and ft
is

assumed zero,

Aa= ALo

or,

term by the insertion of the

any arm of the bridge, and ALo is the change in the first
term of equation (11) or (12); that is, in the computed value of L
apart from the correction terms.
For example, in the first case, 0.5 millihenry was inserted in the
arm Q^ and hence l^ was increased by 0.5 millihenry. The second

where ^<^
given

is

the change produced in the

o(

coil in

term of the a correction was therefore increased by 0.5X-d=0.500

millihenry.

The observed value

of

ALo

case 3, the addition of 0.5 millihenry in

the

correction by

0.5

X-^= 1.000

change was 0.999 millihenry.

in this case

was the same. In

the first term of

P changed

milliheniy, whereas the measured

In

the fourth case the difference

ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF USTDUCTANCE.

"I

GROVER. J

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BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

316

[VOL.

1,

NO.

3.

between the observ^ed and calculated value was larger, namely, 0.011
This is, however, onl}^ 11 parts in a million compared
with the coil being measured, and is a very small discrepancy. These
results may be regarded as fully verifying the formula when the

millihenr3^

inductances are positive.

Table V. Effect

of placing a Capacity of 0.00945 Microfarad in Parallel

WITH THE Arms of the Anderson Bridge.

[P=R=250 ohms. 8=500 ohms.

No.

Position of
the condenser.

1.

position

microfarad.

position

0=1

r
2.

mean.

L=l

henry.]

observed. calculated.

Milli-

MiUi-

henrys.

henrys.

Ohms.

Ohms.

Ohms.

882. 265

882. 065

882. 165

-1. 529

-1.536

-1. 550

883. 793

883. 596

883. 694

886. 195

885. 930

886. 062

+2. 351

+2. 367

+2. 362

883. 827

883. 595

883. 711

around P.

884. 997

884. 793

884. 895

+1.171

+1. 176

+1. 181

883. 825

883. 623

883. 724

882. 618

882. 435

882. 527

-1. 183

-1. 188

-1. 181

883. 820

883. 600

883. 710

883. 860

883. 671

883. 766

+0. 047

+0. 047

-0. 0004

883. 818

883. 620

883. 719

Ohms.

Condenser
around Q.
1

Condenser
removed

Condenser
around S
2

Condenser
removed

Condenser
3

Condenser
removed

Condenser
4

around R

Condenser
removed

Condenser
around

Condenser
removed

KOSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER, ]

317

In the columns headed ^ S^^ B^A P, the quantity 0.794 represents

the resistance of the inductance coil of 0. 5 millihenry inserted in the arms.

To

formula for the case of negative inductances, a capacity

was inserted in parallel with each of the five arms of the Anderson
bridge in succession, and the changes in r observed. From these
changes ALo was determined and the result compared with the computed change in the oc correction term. As stated above, a capacity C
is equivalent to a negative
placed in parallel with a resistance
determined
the
expression
Z,
by
inductance
test the

This capacity may be located in the resistance coil itself or in a condenser joined in parallel with it.
In the first case of Table V the resistance of Q was 405 ohms noninductive and 95 ohms in the coil whose inductance was 1 henry.
The condenser was placed in parallel with the former, and had an
effect proportional to 405^ as

500^ in

compared with an

effect proportional to

given in case 2. It will be seen that the differences between

the observed and calculated changes, due to capacity, is only a few
thousandths of a millihenry that is, only a few parts in a million of
the coil each time measured. Hence the formula may be regarded as
completely verified for negative inductances as well as positive.
/S,

Table VI. Effect

[P=i?=250 ohms.

S=250 ohms.

r
^1

of Placing Resistance r^ in Series

OF THE Anderson Bridge.

i=l

henry.

?j=llO per second.]

^L^

pWC'l

Q'

^Q

p\CL

Ohms.

Ohms.

Ohms.

Ohms.

Ohms.

Ohms.

871. 82

871. 59

871. 705

Ohms.

^2=474^300.

Mean.

1.

microfarads.

Position 2.

Position

C=2

With the Condenser

Milli-

Milli-

henrys.

henrys.

155. 27

871. 89

871. 68

871. 785

+0.08

+0.05

20

872. 625

872. 40

872. 51

0.80

0.76

173. 86

+19. 43

+19. 00

40

874. 92

874. 72

874. 82

3.12

3.05

189. 80

35.78

38.00

80

884. 07

883. 98

884. 025

12.32

12.19

225. 99

72.39

76.00

153. 18

Table
and

(18)

VI

gives the results of measurements

(19).

Resistances of

5, 20, 40,

made

to verify formulae

and 80 ohms were placed

in

318

BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OF STANDARDS.

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ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER. ]

319

succession in series with the condenser, the latter having a capacity of

The changes in r were determined as before, and the

changes in Zo resulting therefrom were computed, and these compared
with ^Vj C^L (formula 19). The changes in Q were computed from
equation (18) and compared with the changes in the noninductive part
2 microfarads.

arm Q, namel}^,
These measurements were made before the introduction into the
bridge of the slide wire, which permits settings to 0.001 ohm, and hence
were not quite as accurate as those previously given. Nevertheless
the agreement between the observed and calculated values is excellent.
Table VII gives the results of measurements made to verify formulae
22 and 23. Two series of measurements were made. In one a megohm
box, consisting of 10 coils of 100,000 ohms each, was used to give
resistances varying from 1,000,000 to 12,500 ohms, using various comIn the other a box of 10
binations of coils in series and in parallel.
coils of 10,000 ohms each was used, the coils being used in series
In both cases the capacity of the coils produces a distinct effect
only.
on the measured value of Zo, and hence we have assumed formula (23)
to be correct and have calculated the values of the capacities of the
They are given
coils, which will account for the differences observed.
in the seventh column, and the capacity of one coil deduced from the
measured capacity of the several coils is given in the eighth column.
These deduced capacities per coil, averaging 0.00186 microfarad in
the case of the second box, agrees quite well with an independent
measurement made some months ago by a dynamometer method which
gave 0.00195 microfarad for the average. It will be noticed that the
changes in Q are considerable and that the observed and calculated
values agree quite closely. These differences, however, can not be
determined with great accuracy, as the resistance of the inductive coil
(wound with copper wire) varies from time to time; hence Q' varies
from this cause when Q is constant. The results, however, abundantl}^
justify the formulae (22 and 23).
of the

10.

GRAPHICAL SOLUTION OF THE ANDERSON BRIDGE.

A graphical solution of Anderson's bridge is interesting and shows

very simply some of the results derived above analytically. If the
bridge is balanced and no current is flowing through the galvanometer,
\% removed.
The condition
we may consider that the connection
of the bridge is (the same electromotive force acting on the upper half
as on the lower half) that
of the bridge from J. to
are
and
always at the same potential.

ED

To

construct the electromotive-force diagram for the upper half of

the bridge,

we

lay

off'

CB

(tig.

11) to represent the emf. acting

on the

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

320

arm

The same electromotive

of the bridge.

C JE B,

branches

impedance p.

NO.

3.

force acts on the

Therefore, in a semicircle described on

B E being proportional to r and

p^,

^5,

1,

consisting of the resistance r and the condenser of

diameter construct a right-angled triangle

to

[vol.

the emf. acting on

r,

Fig. 10.Anderson Bridge.

the

fifth

When

C E B^

the sides

C E is

respectively.

arm

then equal

EB

of the bridge, and

balanced, galvanometer

may

^ as a
C E and

(7

e^^

be removed,

C d and C h are the currents in r and B,^

from the electromotive forces and resistances),
C V equals the current in the arm that is, i^.
the current through the condenser.
The emf. act-

the emf. on the condenser.

respectively (calculated

and their resultant

Of course \ is also
ing on the arm Pis
inductive.

in

Therefore,

phase with the current.

if

Fig. 11.

we

project

CV

CV

backward

since
to

Pis

non-

A^ so that

Vector diagram of Anderson Bridge.

G A i^ X P, C A\s> the emf. e^ acting on P, and the vector sum

A C and C B^ oy A B, will be the total emf. on the bridge.

oi

Since the lower half of the bridge has the same emf. acting on it
and the point
has the same potential as E^ it is evident that the triangle A
\s also the emf. triangle of the lower half
This
enables us to find graphically the inductance Z in the branch Q.

EB

ABB.

ROSA
GROVER,
k.]

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

DB

321

EB

(fig. 12) equal to

(fig. 11), since the same emf. acts
Lay off
on these two branches, which terminate at the common point B^ their
having the same potential. Draw lines
and
initial ends ^and
of fig. 11.
so that the triangle ylZ^^ is equal to the triangle
is then the emf. triangle of the lower half of the bridge, and
is the emf. e^ expended on the branch Q.
Of this, DG^ perpendicular to DB^ overcomes the reactance ^Z, and A G^ perpendicular
to
G^ overcomes the resistance Q. This construction gives L when
y is known.
But^ need not necessarily be known, as the values of the capacity
and resistances of the bridge are independent of p. The distribution

DA

AEB

BA
ADB
AD

Fig.

12.

Graphical solution of Anderson Bridge.

of electromotive forces is, however, affected by the frequency, and

hence the emf. triangle depends on p. If, however, any convenient

value of

be assumed in constructing figures 11 and 12, the same

DG

G; that \^^
will always come
value of L will be derived from
out proportional to p.
G^ is the total inductance of the
The inductance Z, derived from
branch Q; hence, if that part of the resistance of Q not included in

the inductance coil to be measured possesses positive or negative

inductance (4), this must be subtracted from the measured value (Z^) to
obtain the true inductance of the coil Z.
If the branch B contains inductance Z^, DBB' will be its voltage

2214No. 305

BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OF STANDARDS.

322
triangle,

and the angle

(j)^

will

be

The triangle

[VOL.

1,

NO.

3.

ADB, which still

represents the distribution of voltages, both in the upper and lower

Fig.

13.

Solution when arm S has inductance

Z4.

halves of the bridge, will therefore be rotated through the angle

into the position

(f)^

A'DB\ where
AA' = ADX(I>,

Hence,

A'H^AA' sin A'AH^AA' sin ADG

GG' = ADX(l>,X^=^(f>,X Qh^^{pL)i,

This is the value of the correction due to l^ found above analytically

and given by equations (11) and (14), neglecting small quantities of
A similar construction
the second order occurring in the /? term.
obviously applies to the case of capacity in the resistances; that
to negative inductance.
11.

is,

RESISTANCE IN SERIES AND IN PARALLEL WITH THE CONDENSER.

Fig. 14

is

the electromotive-force diagram for the Anderson bridge

on which 100 volts

is

impressed, the frequency

being such that

ROSA,

GROVER,

MEASUEEMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

323

jr>2_5Q0^OOO and jc>=707, approximately, and

fig. 15 is the correspondnow

ing case, with 50 ohms inserted in series with the condenser.
represents the fall in potential through r and r^ (tig. 8); but since the

CF

galvanometer
not

is

joined to E^ between r and

r^,

the triangle

AEB^

and

AFB^

bridge.

represents the electromotive forces of the lower half of the

The values of the several electromotive forces and currents

have been accurately calculated from formula

figures.

Fig. 14.

The

efi'ect

of inserting

r^

in the

(19)

and marked

condenser circuit

in the
is

to

Electromotive force diagram of Anderson Bridge, having 100 volts applied to terminals.
4 and i^. Their resultant, however, is increased,
between them is decreased sufficiently to more than

decrease the currents

as the angle

d^

offset the decrease in the separate currents.

fore increased, and

e^ is

The current i^ is thereThe side EB^ the

increased in consequence.

This shows that the current in

8 is noninductive.
But AE^ the emf. on Q^ is increased; and since the current through Q
is decreased, it follows that the impedance, and therefore the resistfall in

potential in S^

is

decreased.

the lower half of the bridge

is

decreased, since

Fig. 15. Case of Fig. 14 modified

ance,

is

increased, as

is

by

found

50

=100

ohms

resistance in series with the condenser.

in practice.

In this case

changes

from 500 to 525 ohms. The change in r is very slight in this case
from 875 to 876.25. The change in L^ is also very slight. Its value
is given by equation (19), but can not be deduced easily geometrically.
Fig. 17 shows the effect of placing 10,000 ohms in parallel with the
condenser. In this case the current % through r splits into two parts,

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

324

\ through the condenser and

ir,

through

at right angles to each other.

The

r^^

[vol.

1,

NO.

these two components being

result is to reduce the voltage

on

the condenser, and hence also the current through the condenser.

The current 4

(the

sum

\ and

of

i^) is

less

Fig. 16.Same as Fig.

Nevertheless, their

sum

is

Fig. 17. Showing effect of 10,000

ohms

is

also

in parallel with the condenser.

reduced

6^ is

more than enough

to offset the

remarkable, in spite of

It is

14.

greater, as the angle

(as in the case of resistance in series)

reduction in the components.

than before, and

all

these

Other conditions same as

Fig. 14.

changes and the large change in

that r is entirely

Q (in

unchanged and

this case

from 500

the observed value

to 600 ohms),

of

is

also

unchanged.
12.

We

MEASUREMENTS OF INDUCTANCE.

give in Tables VIII, IX, X, and

XI

the results obtained on

several inductance coils of 100 millihenrys and smaller, measuring

The two ratio

in series in groups of two or three.
were each time reversed by a commutator and two
These two independent
settings of the variable resistance r made.
values of r are given in columns 3 and 4, and their mean value in
column 5. Referring to equation (13) above, if PR^ the inductance is

them singly and

coils

and

B,

L^C 8{'lr-\-P)

(24)

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.
m
T-H
1

CO t^ Oi

825
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s
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471 510 978

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434 508 006

932

single values.

r-{

202. 202. 199. 199.

sums

024 985 954 486

971

472

930

202. 202. 200. 199.

023 949 983

434 508 999

927

T-H
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102.

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199. 199.

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99. 99.

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199. 199.

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Temp,

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628 570 504 014

567 638

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355. 354. 355. 364.

718. 719.

642 499 564

500 644

710. 710.

182

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57.019

to

mean
corrected.

52. 52. 52. 57.

234. 234. 230. 230.

52. 52. 52.

234. 234. 230. 230.

2.
598 543

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52. 52. 52. 56.

position

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604 082 015

234. 234. 230. 230.

613 471 534 991

465 608

52. 52. 52. 56.

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234. 234. 230. 230.

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BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

3265

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GROVEE.]

3i^7

The values of '^t-\-P are given in column 6 of the tables. The

temperature of the condenser is given in column T of Table VIII, and
its capacity at the given temperature in column 8.
In Tables IX, X,
and XI the temperature of the condenser was kept constant. The
values of Z, calculated from equation (24), are given in column 10,
and in column 11 are given the corrected values of Z, obtained by
applying the value of a^ which is sometimes positive and sometimes
In column 12 the sums (ZJ of the separate values of Z are
negative.
given, for comparison with the values opposite to them in column 11,
obtained by measuring the coils in groups of two or three. The differences between the values of Z^ and Z are given in column 13.
These differences are discrepancies which indicate errors in the measured values of the inductances, but which amount on the average to only
five parts in 200,000 for the 100-millihenry coils, and are sometimes
They represent the errors of obserpositive and sometimes negative.
vation, the errors of the resistances, and the imperfections in the corrections for inductance and capacity of the arms of the bridge.
The
errors due to differences in P and R are eliminated by the commutator;
the error due to inductance in r we have seen to be inappreciable; the
condenser is so good that no correction needs to be applied for its
very slight absorption and leakage. In the second half of the table
the results are given for a remeasurement of the coils under conditions
similar to those under which the first measurements were made.
It
will be noticed that the values agree very closely.
In Table IX the results are given of measurements on coils of 100,
50, 10, 5, 1.0, and 0.5 millihenr3^s, using 4 of 100 millihenrys and 2
each of the other denominations, measuring them separately and in
The residual differences between the corresponding
series in each.
values in columns 11 and 12, and which amount to a very few microhenrys, are as small as could be expected.
the results are given of measurements on a coil C of
In Table
nominally 100 millihenrys, and of two coils, A and B, of 50 millihenrys each, measured together as one coil and in series with the coil
The residual differences between the sums of the separate values
C.
(column 12) and the measured sum (column 11) are given in column 13.
They average about 4 in 200,000, being sometimes positive and sometimes negative. In Table XI similar results are given for the two 50millihenry coils measured separately and in series, with the residuals
in column 13 averaging 6 parts in 100,000.
In both these tables the measurements are made with three different
values of the resistances of the bridge (P, R, and S being equal in
every case) and three different currents for each separate value of the

328

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330

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331

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

332

Table XII. Summary

No.

P=:R = S.\

of Values of Inductances Shown

THE Deviations from the Mean.

Devia-

Total
current

tion

in

[vol.

1,

NO.

3.

Table X, with

Devia-

C+U+B)

Devia-

milli-

tion

milli-

tion

amperes

henrys.

from
mean.

henrys.

from
mean.

henrys.

250

0.12
0.20
0.30

100. 120
100. 126
100. 118

0.005
.011
.003

102. 477
102. 480
102. 476

0.007
.010
.006

202. 605
202. 612
202. 602

0.019
.026
.016

4
5
6

200

0.12
0.20
0.30

100. 114
100. 121
100. 115

.001
.006

102. 469
102. 476
102. 472

.001
.006
.002

202. 578
202. 595
202. 590

.008
.009
.014

150

0.12
0.20
0.30

100. 094
100. Ill
100. 114

.021
.004
.001

102.

449
102.462
102. 468

.021
.008
.002

202. 537
202. 569
202. 584

.049
.017
.002

Means

100.115

.006

102. 470

.007

202. 586

.018

2
3

8
9

Table XIII. Summary

of Values of Inductances Shown

THE Deviations from the Mean.

No.

P=:R = S.

Total
current

amperes.

100

2
3

4
5
6

150

200

8
9

it

Devia-

milli-

tion

henrys.

from
mean.

092
104
50. Ill

0.012
.000
.007

Devia-

milli-

Devia-

A^B.

tion

0.012
.001
.005

100. 074
100. 104
100. Ill

0.033
.003
.004

006
008

.004
.001
.003

100. 096
100. 112
100. 113

.011
.005
.006

007
007
50. 007

.002
.002
.002

100. Ill
100. 119
100. 120

.004
.012
.013

005

.004

100. 107

.010

50.

100
106
107

.004
.002
.003

50. 001

0.12
0.20
0.30

50. 107
50. 105

50.

50. 105

.003
.001
.001

104

.004

50.

50.

993
006
50. 010

0.12
0.20
0.30

Means

from
mean.

50.
50.

50.

Table XI, with

henrys.

0.12
0.20
0.30

50.

tion

in

from
mean.

49.
50.

50.
50.

50.

from
mean.

ROSA,

"1

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER. J

333

This gives nine measurements of each coil and of the sum

These nine values of each coil and of their sums are
given in Tables XII and XIII, with their deviations from the mean.
In most cases the values are a little smaller with the smaller currents
and smaller resistances. We have not yet ascertained why this is so;
perhaps the resistances were not as accurately known as we supposed.
resistances.

of the coils.

In Table

XIV

the measurements of April 21 are given, three coils

of 1 henry each being taken singly and in series in groups of

two

and three.

The separate values found during the day for the three coils are
given in Table XV. The small increase in the value of L may be due
in part to uncertainty in the change of capacity of the condenser.
The latter changed in temperature, according to the thermometer, by
0^.75, and that corresponds to 11 parts in 100,000 in the capacity.
The
slight progressive changes in the values of the inductances of the coils
may be accounted for by a quarter of a degree greater change in the
temperature of the condenser than indicated by the thermometer, or a
slightly greater temperature coefficient.
We shall investigate this
further, keeping the temperature of the condenser constant, to decide
whether the

coils really

change in the manner indicated.

Table XV. Results

of the Determinations of the Inductance

Coils of 1 Henry each, April 21, 1905.

Coil F.

Henrys.

The

Coil S.

Coil C.

Henrys.

Henrys.

99969

1.

01420

999715

1.

01421

99894

99970

1.

01122

99895

999715

1.

01422

99895

99972

0.

99890

0.

99892

regularity of this progressive change shows that

cause affects

all

of Three

some common

the measurements, but the changes are very small

The

indeed, amounting to only a few parts in a hundred thousand.

sensitiveness of the bridge

is

well

shown by these

results,

and if we can

eliminate the small residual errors of the bridge completely,

make

it

it

will

possible to measure inductances with far greater accuracy than

has been done heretofore.

In order to make these measurements under the most favorable circumstances, we have designed and are now constructing a bridge espe-

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDAEDS.

334

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ROSA,

MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE.

GROVER.
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335

BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF STANDARDS.

336
cially

adapted to this work.

made up

[vol.1, no.

3.

The bridge we have been using has been

The resistances were

of several different resistance boxes.

immersed in oil, the temperatures were accurately taken, they were

frequently measured against our standards, and every effort made to

all

But with all combined in a single set, with shorter

and more permanent connections between the arms of the bridge and
the residual inductances and capacities eliminated more completely, we
hope to improve upon the results given above, and make sure of the
value of the inductance of a standard coil to at least one part in ten
get precise results.

thousand, barring the uncertainty in the ohm itself.

When this has
been accomplished we hope to determine some inductance coils, the
dimensions of which shall have been accurately determined, and the
inductances computed therefrom, in order to obtain a check upon
the value of the ohm.
bridge, used in the manner we have described above,
admirably adapted to practical use in measuring inductances of a
great range of values. Its accuracy far exceeds most of the methods
that have been proposed, and it is more convenient than any method
we have employed that can compare with it in accuracy.
Note. Since the above was written we have discovered that the
serpentine spools on which the inductances i^and >(S'of 1 henry each
and several of 0.1 henry are wound are slightly magnetic, and that
their permeability is larger with higher magnetizing force.
Consequently the inductances of the coils are not quite constant, but vary
when the voltage on the bridge or the resistances of the arms of the
This would cause the sum of two inductances
bridge are varied.
measured separately to be a little greater than when measured together,
and this accounts for the discrepancies A in column 13 of Table XIV,
all being of the same sign, and larger when coils i^and S (both being
wound on serpentine spools) are taken together than when 7^ and C
or S and C are taken together, C being wound on a mahogany spool
and therefore not magnetic.
In the case of coils of 0.1 henry or less the current is reduced very
little when two are put in series in the bridge, and hence the resultant
change in the inductance is much less.
We give in another article in this bulletin the results of tests made
to determine the magnitude of the effect of this small amount of magnetic matter in the spools.

The Anderson

is

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