How do you convert a galvanometer to an ammeter?

Answer 1

A galvanometer is an instrument used to measure and detect electric currents. While that seems a lot similar to an ammeter, it only deals with measuring relatively small or mediocre currents.

Although an ammeter is now much preferred due to its more accurate, faster, and advanced readings, there is a way to "convert" a galvanometer to function like an ammeter. A current separator or divider, known as a shunt, allows a simple meter to be calibrated (adjusted) to measure larger currents. The shunt, parallel to the coil of your galvanometer, allows more electric currents to circulate around the circuit, thus obtaining more current.

Answer 2

To convert a galvanometer to an ammeter, you need to connect a shunt resistor in parallel with the galvanometer. The shunt resistor allows a portion of the current to bypass the galvanometer, ensuring that only a known fraction flows through it. The shunt resistor value can be calculated using the formula Rshunt = (G - 1) * Rg, where G is the desired full-scale deflection of the ammeter and Rg is the internal resistance of the galvanometer.