IGCSE

PHYSICS ATP

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The accuracy of a specific digital multimeter is important, depending on the application. For

example, most AC power line voltages can vary ±5% or more. An example of this variation is a

voltage measurement taken at a standard 115 V AC receptacle. If a digital multimeter is only used

to check if a receptacle is energized, a digital multimeter with a ±3% measurement accuracy is

appropriate.

Some applications, such as calibration of automotive, medical aviation or specialized industrial

equipment, may require higher accuracy. A reading of 100.0 V on a digital multimeter with an

accuracy of ±2% can range from 98.0 V to 102.0 V. This may be fine for some applications, but

unacceptable for more sensitive electronic equipment.

Accuracy may also include a specified amount of digits (counts) added to the basic accuracy

rating. For example, an accuracy of ±(2%+2) means that a reading of 100.0 V on the multimeter

can be from 97.8 V to 102.2 V. Use of a digital multimeter with higher accuracy allows for a great

number of applications.

You can count the number of Significant figures from these rules:

All the reported non-zero numbers in a measurement are significant. For example, 22.13 has 4

and 299792458 has 9 significant digits.

Zeroes sandwiched anywhere between the non-zero digits are significant. For example,

299007900002400000058 has 21 significant digits, 102.4 has 4 and 1.024 also has 4.

Zeroes to the left of a first non-zero digit are not significant. For example, 007 has 1 significant

figure and 0.0000102 has 3.

The trailing zeroes or the zeroes to the right of the last non-zero digit are significant if the number

has a decimal point otherwise they are insignificant. For example, 0.00001020 has 4 and

70000000000000 has 1 significant figure only.

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