The suspended coil galvanometers are very sensitive. They can measure the current of the order of 10-8 ampere. Hence these galvanometers have to be carefully handled. So, in the laboratory, for experiments like Wheatstone’s bridge, where sensitivity is not required, pointer type galvanometers are used. In this type of galvanometer, the coil is pivoted on ball bearings. A lighter aluminium pointer attached to the coil moves over a scale when current is passed. The restoring couple is provided by a spring.
