The circuit in Figure 4-2 shows the input voltage E as being measured with respect to
ground. However, this may not always be convenient. For example, suppose that the voltage
across resistor Rb in Figure 4-3(a) were to be measured by a voltmeter with its negative
terminals grounded. The voltmeter ground would short-circuit resistor Rc and seriously
affect the voltage and current conditions in the resistor circuit. Clearly, the
voltmeter should not have one of its terminals grounded.
For the circuit in Figure 4-2 to function correctly, the lower end of RI must be at
zero volts with respect to +Vcc and -Vee. The + and - supply voltage may be derived
from two batteries [Figure 4-3(b)] or from two de power supply circuits [Figure 4-3{c)J.
[n both cases, the negative terminal of the positive supply is connected to the positive terminal
of the negative supply. For ±9 V supplies, Vee is +9 V with respect to the common
terminal, and Vee is -9 V with respect to the common terminal. [n many electronic circuits.
the power supply common terminal is grounded. In electronic voltmeter circuits.
this terminal is not grounded, simply to avoid the kind of problem already discussed.
When left without any grounded terminal. the voltmeter supply voltages are said to be
floating. This means that the common terminal assumes the absolute voltage (with respect
to ground) of any terminal to which it may be connected. An inverted triangular symbol
is employed to identify the common terminal or zero voLtage tenninaL in a circuit [see
Figure 4-3(b),(c)].
Although the electronic voltmeter supply voltages are allowed to float, some instlUments
have their common terminal connected to ground via a capacitor. usually 0.1
fLF. If batteries are used as supply, the capacitor is connected to the chassis. Where a