Question

Write down two uses of a shunt.

Hint:

Shunts are commonly used in electrical measurement devices to increase current measurement capacity safely.

Answer 1

Step 1: When the current to be measured is very large, a low-resistance device called a shunt is connected in parallel with the ammeter. The shunt provides an alternative path for the current, thereby protecting the sensitive coil of the ammeter from excessive current.
Step 2: Since the shunt has a very low resistance compared to the internal resistance of the ammeter, most of the current flows through the shunt, and only a small, known fraction of the total current flows through the meter. This small current is within the safe operating limits of the ammeter.
Step 3: This arrangement prevents damage to the ammeter by avoiding overload and allows the device to measure high currents accurately. The total current can be calculated using the known resistance of the shunt and the reading on the ammeter, making it a practical method for extending the current range of an ammeter.