How to Use A Multimeter
What do meters measure?
A meter is a measuring instrument. An ammeter measures current, a voltmeter measures
the potential difference (voltage) between two points, and an ohmmeter measures
resistance. A multimeter combines these functions, and possibly some additional ones as
well, into a single instrument.
Before going in to detail about multimeters, it is important for you to have a clear idea of
how meters are connected into circuits. Diagrams (a). and (b). below show a circuit
before and after connecting an ammeter:
(a). (b).
To measure current, the circuit must be broken to allow the ammeter to be
connected in series. Ammeters must have a LOW resistance
Think about the changes you would have to make to a practical circuit in order to include
the ammeter. To start with, you need to break the circuit so that the ammeter can be
connected in series. All the current flowing in the circuit must pass through the ammeter.
Meters are not supposed to alter the behaviour of the circuit, or at least not significantly,
and it follows that an ammeter must have a very LOW
resistance.
Diagram (c). on the left shows the same circuit after
connecting a voltmeter
To measure potential difference (voltage), the
circuit is not changed: the voltmeter is connected in
parallel voltmeters must have a HIGH resistance
(c).
Class: NDE/T 1
Subject: Electronics Lab (Analog) Page: 1
This time, you do not need to break the circuit. The voltmeter is connected in parallel
between the two points where the measurement is to be made. Since the voltmeter
provides a parallel pathway, it should take as little current as possible. In other words, a
voltmeter should have a very HIGH resistance.
Which measurement technique do you think will be the more useful? In fact, voltage
measurements are used much more often than current measurements.
The processing of electronic signals is usually thought of in voltage terms. It is an added
advantage that a voltage measurement is easier to make. The orginal circuit does not need
to be changed. Often, the meter probes are connected simply by touching them to the
points of interest.
An ohmmeter does not function with a circuit connected to a power supply. If you want
to measure the resistance of a particular component, you must take it out of the circuit
altogether and test it separately, as shown in diagram (d).
(d).
To measure resistance, the component must be removed from the circuit altogether
ohmmeters work by passing a current through the component being tested
Ohmmeters work by passing a small current through the component and measuring the
voltage produced. If you try this with the component connected into a circuit with a
power supply, the most likely result is that the meter will be damaged. Most multimeters
have a fuse to help protect against misuse.
Class: NDE/T 1
Subject: Electronics Lab (Analog) Page: 2
Digital multimeters
Multimeters are designed and mass produced for electronics engineers. Even the simplest
and cheapest types may include features which you are not likely to use. Digital meters
give an output in numbers, usually on a liquid crystal display.
The diagram below shows a switched range multimeter
The central knob has lots of positions and
you must choose which one is appropriate
for the measurement you want to make. If
the meter is switched to 20 V DC, for
example, then 20 V is the maximum
voltage which can be measured, This is
sometimes called 20 V fsd, where fsd is
short for full scale deflection.
For circuits with power supplies of up to
20 V, which includes all the circuits you
are likely to build, the 20 V DC voltage
range is the most useful. DC ranges are
indicated by on the meter.
Sometimes, you will want to measure
smaller voltages, and in this case, the 2 V
or 200 mV ranges are used.
What does DC mean? DC means direct
current. In any circuit which operates
from a steady voltage source, such as a
battery, current flow is always in the same
direction. Every constructional project
descirbed in Design Electronics works in
this way.
AC means alternating current. In an
electric lamp connected to the domestic
mains electricity, current flows first one
way, then the other. That is, the current reverses, or alternates, in direction. With UK
mains, the current reverses 50 times per second.
For safety reasons, you must NEVER connect a multimeter to the mains supply.
You are not at all likely to use the AC ranges, indicated by , on your multimeter.
Class: NDE/T 1
Subject: Electronics Lab (Analog) Page: 3
An alternative style of multimeter is the autoranging multimeter:
The central knob has fewer positions and
all you need to do is to switch it to the
quantity you want to measure. Once
switched to V, the meter automatically
adjusts its range to give a meaningful
reading, and the display includes the unit
of measurement, V or mV. This type of
meter is more expensive, but obviously
much easier to use.
Where are the two meter probes
connected? The black lead is always
connected into the socket marked COM,
short for COMMON. The red lead is
connected into the socket labelled V
mA. The 10A socket is very rarely used.
Analogue multimeters
An analogue meter moves a needle along
a scale. Switched range analogue
multimeters are very cheap but are
difficult for beginners to read accurately,
especially on resistance scales. The
meter movement is delicate and
dropping the meter is likely to damage
it!
Each type of meter has its advantages.
Used as a voltmeter, a digital meter is
usually better because its resistance is much higher, 1 M or 10 M , compared to 200
for a analogue multimeter on a similar range. On the other hand, it is easier to follow
a slowly changing voltage by watching the needle on an anlaogue display.
Used as an ammeter, an analogue multimeter has a very low resistance and is very
sensitive, with scales down to 50 . More expensive digital multimeters can equal or
better this performance.
Most modern multimeters are digital and traditional analogue types are destined to
become obsolete.
Class: NDE/T 1
Subject: Electronics Lab (Analog) Page: 4
Different forms of Digital Multimeters:
Multimeters may differ in the sense
that they may contain more or less
ranges. They might be capable also to
check more components other than
resistors. You will learn about this later
on during this year.
They may also require extra
connections to perform different
functions.
For example, when using the meter
shown here you need to move the
Red (+) Lead to the mA socket so
that you can be able to measure
CURRENT.
Precaution:
Never connect the multimeter set to measure CURRENT IN
PARALLEL.
Remember that an ammeter has a relatively very low voltage.
Circuit current would hence try to pass through the meter.
AND THIS WOULD BREAK THE FUSE OF THE
METER!!
Class: NDE/T 1
Subject: Electronics Lab (Analog) Page: 5
