Levels

Lab

The physics

A moving-coil meter is a coil on an axle between curved pole pieces. A spiral spring holds it back.

The curved poles make the field radial. So the coil's torque N B I A is the same at every angle.

The coil turns until the spring's torque k φ equals it. So the swing grows in step with the current.

N B I A = k φ    φ / I = N B A / k    φ / V = N B A / (k R)

A small shunt S side by side with the coil makes an ammeter. The coil keeps its own Ig.

Ig G = (I − Ig) S