Analog and Digital Meters

Devices and Measurements

Objective
At the conclusion of this presentation the student will describe and identify: Safety precautions when using test equipment Analog Multimeters Digital Multimeters How to connect a voltmeter to a circuit to measure voltage How to connect an ammeter to a circuit to measure current How to connect an ohmmeter to measure resistance The student will be able to: Read voltage from an analog voltmeter Read current from an analog ammeter Read resistance from an analog ohmmeter
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Basic Circuit Measurements

A voltmeter measures voltage across (in parallel) a resistance or load An ammeter is inserted in the current path (in series) to measure current Resistance is measured across a resistor, out-of-circuit, with an ohmmeter Digital Multimeters (DMMs) measure voltage, current and resistance

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Electrical Test Equipment - The Multimeter

A multimeter is used to measure voltage, current or resistance, depending upon the function selected A voltmeter is used to measure voltage across a component or circuit An ammeter is used to measure current through a circuit An ohmmeter is used to measure resistance

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Typical dArsonval Meter Movement

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Meter Deflection is Proportional to Current

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A Typical Seven Segment Display

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Examples of Meter Displays and Symbols

Each of the above may be used to represent either an ammeter (A), a voltmeter (V), or an ohmmeter ()

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Typical Portable Multimeters

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Example of a Digital and Analog Multimeter

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Typical Digital Multimeters (DMM)

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A Typical Analog Multimeter

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Selecting the Proper Range on an Analog Meter

Select a range for maximum deflection of the pointer

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Measuring a Resistor

Remove power if necessary and isolate the component from the circuit under test

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Schematic Symbols for Meters

The analog voltmeter and ammeter must be connected to the circuit with proper polarity to avoid damaging the meter movement The ohmmeter may only be used on unenergized components

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Voltage Measurements
To measure voltage, the voltmeter is placed in parallel across the component; that is, one lead is place on each side of the component Set an analog ammeter to the highest range when measuring an unknown voltage Then switch to the next lowest rage until maximum deflection of the pointer is obtained while remaining on the scale

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A Voltmeter Connected to Measure Voltage

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Current Measurements
To measure current, the ammeter must be placed in series with the component; that is, it must be in line with the current path Usually, power is removed from the circuit before connecting or removing the ammeter Set an analog ammeter to the highest range when measuring an unknown current Then switch to the next lowest rage until maximum deflection of the pointer is obtained while remaining on the scale

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An Ammeter Connected to Measure Current

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Resistance Measurements
To measure resistance If necessary circuit power must be removed Usually at least one lead of the component must be removed from the circuit the ohmmeter is connected across a component

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Ohmmeter Connection to Measure Resistance

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Reading the Analog Meter

Example 1
Assume that the VOM shown is on the AC/DC 6 V scale. What is the reading?

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Example 1 Solution
Assume that the VOM shown is on the AC/DC 6 V scale. What is the reading?

4.5 V

Note that the reading is made on the 60 V scale and the user places the decimal.
5

MS OH
20

4
150 30 6

10

OH M

50
1k

50 10

100 20 4
2
5 2 1
4

200 40 8
20 8 4

1
25 50 0 10

10 4 2
2
0

A DC C AM A C PS 0 dB 0 m 0

25 10 5
10
11 d B

0 C 30 0 A C 6 D 12 AC PS M 30 A 12 6

20

10

ANALOG MULTIMETER

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Example 2
Assume that the VOM shown is on the AC AMPS 3 A scale. What is the reading?

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Example 2 Solution
Assume that the VOM shown is on the AC AMPS 3 A scale. What is the reading? Note that the reading is made on the 30 A AC

1.25 A

scale and the user places the decimal place.

MS OH
20

10

4 150 30 6

OH M 1
25 50 0 10

50
1k

50 10

100 20 4
2
5 2 1
4

200 40 8
20 8 4

10 4 2
2
0

A DC C AM A C PS 0 dB 0 m 0

25 10 5
10
11 d B

0 C 30 0 A C 6 D 12 AC PS M 30 A 12 6

20

10

ANALOG MULTIMETER

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Example 3
When you change resistance scales on a VOM, what must first be done before measuring a resistor?

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Example 3 Solution
When you change resistance scales on a VOM, what must first be done before measuring a resistor? Zero the meter by shorting the leads together and adjusting the Zero Adjust control.

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Example 4
Assume that the VOM shown is on the x100 scale. What is the reading?

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Problem 4 Solution
Assume that the VOM shown is on the x100 scale. What is the reading?

340

Note that the reading is made on the scale and the user multiplies the reading by 100.

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