A galvanometer is an instrument for detecting and measuring small electric currents by deflection of a needle. It operates on the principle that an electric current passing through a coil produces a magnetic field.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Galvanometers are often used in analog voltmeters and ammeters to measure voltage and current, respectively.
The deflection of the needle in a galvanometer is proportional to the strength of the current passing through it.
A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by adding a low-resistance shunt parallel to it.
To convert a galvanometer into a voltmeter, a high resistance is added in series with it.
The sensitivity of a galvanometer is measured by its ability to detect small currents, typically in microamperes.