Multimeter Kesh
Multimeter Kesh
Multimeter Kesh
A digital multimeter
Analog multimeter
A multimeter can be a hand-held device useful for basic fault finding and field service
work or a bench instrument which can measure to a very high degree of accuracy. They
can be used to troubleshoot electrical problems in a wide array of industrial and
household devices such as batteries, motor controls, appliances, power supplies, and
wiring systems.
Multimeters are available in a wide ranges of features and prices. Cheap multimeters can
cost less than US$10, while the top of the line multimeters can cost more than US$5000.
Contents
[hide]
• 1 Quantities measured
• 2 Resolution
o 2.1 Digital
o 2.2 Analogue
• 3 Accuracy
• 4 Sensitivity and input impedance
• 5 Alternating current sensing
• 6 Digital Multimeters (DMM or DVOM)
• 7 Analog Multimeters
• 8 Probes
• 9 Safety
• 10 History
• 11 See also
• 12 References
• 13 External links
• Voltage in volts.
• Current in amperes.
• Resistance in ohms.
• Capacitance in farads.
• Frequency in hertz
• Duty cycle as a percentage.
• Temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
• Conductance in siemens.
• Inductance in henrys
• Audio signal levels in decibels.
[edit] Resolution
[edit] Digital
By convention, a half digit can display either a zero or a one, while a three-quarters digit
can display a numeral higher than a one but not nine. Commonly, a three-quarters digit
refers to a maximum count of 3 or 5. The fractional digit is always the most significant
digit in the displayed value. A 5½ digit multimeter would have five full digits that display
values from 0 to 9 and one half digit that could only display 0 or 1.[1] Such a meter could
show positive or negative values from 0 to 199,999. A 3¾ digit meter can display a
quantity from 0 to 3,999 or 5,999, depending on the manufacturer.
While a digital display can easily be extended in precision, the extra digits are of no value
if not accompanied by care in the design and calibration of the analog portions of the
multimeter. Meaningful high-resolution measurements require a good understanding of
the instrument specifications, good control of the measurement conditions, and
traceability of the calibration of the instrument.
[edit] Analogue
Resolution of analog multimeters is limited by the width of the scale pointer, vibration of
the pointer, the accuracy of printing of scales, zero calibration, number of ranges, and
errors due to non-horizontal use of the mechanical display. Accuracy of readings
obtained is also often compromised by miscounting division markings, errors in mental
arithmetic, parallax observation errors, and less than perfect eyesight.
Resistance measurements, in particular, are of low precision due to the typical resistance
measurement circuit which compresses the scale heavily at the higher resistance values.
Mirrored scales and larger meter movements are used to improve resolution; two and a
half to three digits equivalent resolution is usual (and may be adequate for the limited
precision actually necessary for most measurements).
[edit] Accuracy
Digital multimeters generally take measurements with accuracy superior to their analog
counterparts. Analog multimeters typically measure with three to five percent accuracy.
[citation needed]
Standard portable digital multimeters claim to be capable of taking
measurements with an accuracy of 0.5% on DC voltage and current scales. Mainstream
bench-top multimeters make claims to have as great accuracy as ±0.01%. Laboratory
grade instruments can have accuracies in the parts per million figures.[2]
Manufacturers can provide calibration services so that new meters may be purchased with
a certificate of calibration indicating the meter has been adjusted to standards traceable to
the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Such manufacturers usually provide
calibration services after sales, as well, so that older equipment may be recertified.
Multimeters used for critical measurements may be part of a metrology program to assure
calibration.
Meters with electronic amplifiers in them, such as all digital multimeters and analog
meters using a transistor for amplification, have an input impedance that is usually
considered high enough not to disturb the circuit tested. This is often one million ohms,
or ten million ohms. The standard input impedance allows use of external probes to
extend the direct-current measuring range up to tens of thousands of volts.
Most analog multimeters of the moving pointer type are unbuffered, and draw current
from the circuit under test to deflect the meter pointer. The impedance of the meter varies
depending on the basic sensitivity of the meter movement and the range which is
selected. For example, a meter with a typical 20,000 ohms/volt sensitivity will have an
input resistance of two million ohms on the 100 volt range (100 V * 20,000 ohms/volt =
2,000,000 ohms). Lower sensitivity meters are useful for general purpose testing
especially in power circuits, where source impedances are low compared to the meter
impedance. Some measurements in signal circuits require higher sensitivity so as not to
load down the circuit under test with the meter impedance.[3]
The sensitivity of a meter is also a measure of the lowest voltage, current or resistance
that can be measured with it. For general-purpose digital multimeters, a full-scale range
of several hundred millivolts AC or DC is common, but the minimum full-scale current
range may be several hundred milliamps. Since general-purpose mulitmeters have only
two-wire resistance measurements, which do not compensate for the effect of the lead
wire resistance, measurements below a few tens of ohms will be of low accuracy. The
upper end of multimeter measurement ranges varies considerably by manufacturer;
generally measurements over 1000 volts, over 10 amperes, or over 100 megohms would
require a specialized test instrument, as would accurate measurement of currents on the
order of 1 microamp or less.
[edit] Alternating current sensing
Since the basic indicator system in either an analog or digital meter responds to DC only,
a multimeter includes an AC to DC conversion circuit for making alternating current
measurements. Basic multimeters may utilize a rectifier circuit, calibrated to evaluate the
average value of a rectified sine wave. User guides for such meters will give correction
factors for some simple waveforms, to allow the correct root mean square (RMS)
equivalent value to be calculated for the average-responding meter. More expensive
multimeters will include an AC to DC converter that responds to the RMS value of the
waveform for a wide range of possible waveforms; the user manual for the meter will
indicate the limits of the crest factor and frequency for which the meter calibration is
valid. RMS sensing is necessary for measurement s of non-sinusoidal quantities, such as
found in audio signals, or in variable-frequency drives.
Modern multimeters are often digital due to their accuracy, durability and extra features.
In a Digital Multimeter the signal under test is converted to a voltage and an amplifier
with an electronically controlled gain preconditions the signal.
The inclusion of solid state electronics, from a control circuit to small embedded
computers, has provided a wealth of convenience features in modern digital meters.
Commonly available measurement enhancements include:
• Auto-ranging, which selects the correct range for the quantity under test so that
the most significant digits are shown. For example, a four-digit multimeter would
automatically select an appropriate range to display 1.234 instead of 0.012, or
overloading. Auto-ranging meters usually include a facility to 'freeze' the meter to
a particular range, because a measurement that causes frequent range changes is
distracting to the user.
• Auto-polarity for direct-current readings, shows if the applied voltage is positive
(agrees with meter lead labels) or negative (opposite polarity to meter leads).
• Sample and hold, which will latch the most recent reading for examination after
the instrument is removed from the circuit under test.
• Current-limited tests for voltage drop across semiconductor junctions. While not a
replacement for a transistor tester, this facilitates testing diodes and a variety of
transistor types.[4][5]
• A graphic representation of the quantity under test, as a bar graph. This makes
go/no-go testing easy, and also allows spotting of fast-moving trends.
• A low-bandwidth oscilloscope.[6]
• Automotive circuit testers, including tests for automotive timing and dwell
signals.[7]
• Simple data acquisition features to record maximum and minimum readings over
a given period, or to take a number of samples at fixed intervals.[8]
• A miniature digital multimeter integrated with tweezers for Surface-mount
technology.[9]
Modern meters may be interfaced with a personal computer by IrDA links, RS-232
connections, USB, or an instrument bus such as IEEE-488. The interface allows the
computer to record measurements as they are made. Some DMM's can store
measurements and upload them to a computer.[10]
The first digital multimeter was manufactured in 1955 by Non Linear Systems.[11][12]
Analog multimeters are not hard to find (though less common and often more expensive
than low-end digital units), but are not considered as accurate as digital because of errors
introduced in zeroing and reading the analog meter face.
Analog meters may be implemented with vacuum tubes to precondition and amplify the
input signal. Such meters are known as vacuum tube volt meters (VTVM) or vacuum
tube multimeters (VTMM).[13]
Analog meters are sometimes considered better for detecting the rate of change of a
reading; the ARRL handbook suggests that analog multimeters are often less susceptible
to radio frequency interference.[14]
To avoid the loading of the measured circuit by the current drawn by the meter
movement, later analog multimeters use an amplifier inserted between the measured
circuit and the meter movement. While this increased the expense and complexity of the
meter and required a power supply to operate the amplifier, by use of vacuum tubes or
field effect transistors the input resistance can be made very high and independent of the
current required to operate the meter movement coil. Such amplified multimeters are
called VTVM (vacuum tube voltmeters) or TVM (transistor volt meter), and similar
names.
[edit] Probes
A multimeter can utilise a variety of test probes to connect to the circuit or device under
test. Crocodile clips, retractable hook clips, and pointed probes are the three most
common attachments. The connectors are attached to flexible, thickly-insulated leads that
are terminated with connectors appropriate for the meter. Handheld meters typically use
shrouded or recessed banana jacks, while benchtop meters may use banana jacks or BNC
connectors. 2mm plugs and binding posts have also been used at times, but are not so
common today.
Meters which measure high voltages or current may use non-contact attachment
mechanism to trade accuracy for safety. Clamp meters provide a coil that clamps around
a conductor in order to measure the current flowing through it.
[edit] Safety
Some multimeters include a fuse, which will sometimes prevent damage to the
multimeter if it is overloaded. However the fuse often only protects the highest current
range on the multimeter. A common error when operating a multimeter is to set the meter
to measure resistance or current and then connect it directly to a low-impedance voltage
source; meters without protection are quickly damaged by such errors, and can
sometimes explode causing injury to the operator.
Digital meters are category rated based on their intended application, as set forth by the
CEN EN61010 standard.[16] There are four categories:
Each category also specifies maximum transient voltages for selected measuring ranges
in the meter.[17][18] Category-rated meters also feature protections from over-current faults.
[19]
[edit] History
Multimeters were invented in the early 1920s as radio receivers and other vacuum tube
electronic devices became more common. As modern systems become more complicated,
the multimeter is becoming more complex or may be supplemented by more specialized
equipment in a technician's toolkit. For example, where a general-purpose multimeter
might only test for short-circuits, conductor resistance and some coarse measure of
insulation quality, a modern technician may use a hand-held analyzer to test several
parameters in order to validate the performance of a network cable.[20]
• Ammeter
• Avometer
• Electronic test equipment
• Meter (electronics)
• Ohmmeter
• Voltmeter
• Wattmeter
[edit] References
MULTIMETERS
Digital Multimeter - Model M2005 Download
Catalogue
3 ½ digit, 7 segment, 1" high LCD Display
Diode Measurement
Transistor hfe Measurement
Download
3¾ Digital Multimeter - Model VC97
Catalogue
Streamline Holster Design Large LCD Display for Clear
Reading
Metallic Screen Board with Stronger Antimagnetic and
Antiinterference from External E/M Field Full Function
Protection, Anti-high Voltage Circuit Design Auto power
off New type battery case design. It’s easy to change battery
MULTIMETERS
DT83C - Pocket Digital Multimeter - $9.95 DT182- Mini MultiMeter - $9.95 DT830D - Mid-
SCOPES TM902 -
Temp Meter $24.95 M9803R - Digital Bench Meter $149.95 VEDVM1300 - Digital Light Meter
Features:
• High Accuracy.
• 1" LCD Digital Display.
• 2-3 Second Measurement Rate Update.
• Automatic Negative Polarity Indication.
• Low Battery Indicator.
• Full Range Over Load Protection
• Capacitance Measurement Auto-Zeroing.
• Auto Power Off
Features:
• High
Accuracy.
• 1" LCD Digital
Display.
• 2-3 Second
Measurement
Rate Update.
• Automatic
Negative
Polarity
Indication.
• Low Battery
Indicator.
• Full Range
Over Load
Protection
• Capacitance
Measurement
Auto-Zeroing.
• Auto Power
Off
• Over range
Indication
Features:
• Data Hold
• Back Light
• Audible Continuity Test
• Temperature Meter
• 200 hour battery life
• Diode Test
• Transistor Test
• 20,000 ohms/volts
• 23 Ranges
• 3 1/2” Meter
• Mirrored scale
• Audible continuity
• Checks transistors/diodes
• 10A DC current
• dB Scale
• Battery test
Digital Multimeters
Kusam Electrical Manufactures Model Bm-859cf True
Rms Brymen Digital Multimeters. These Multimeters
Are 5 4/5-digit Handheld Auto-rangi...
Digital Multimeters
Ttl Technologies Manufactures Latest Generation Fluke
8845a And 8846a Precision Digital Multimeters. These
Digital Multimeters Are Avai...
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