A galvanometer consists of a coil of a large number of turns of fine insulated copper wire wound on a rectangular nonconducting, nonmagnetic frame. The coil is pivoted (or suspended) between cylindrically concave pole pieces of a horseshoe strong permanent magnet. The coil swings freely around a cylindrical soft iron core fitted between the pole pieces. The deflection of the coil can be read with a pointer attached to it. The position of the pointer on the scale provided depends on the current passing through the galvanometer (or the potential difference across it). A galvanometer can be used as an ammeter or a voltmeter with a suitable modification.
[Note : A table galvanometer has a resistance of about 50 Ω and can carry a current up to about 1 mA.]
