Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

$10.99 Two-Day Shipping

Digi-Key Electronics

Basic Concepts Comparisons EE Questions / Answers

EE-Tools, Instruments, Devices, Components & Measurements Troubleshooting

Difference between Analog and Digital

Multimeter
 Electrical Technology  2  4 minutes read

Main Differences between Digital and Analog Multimeter

Both Digital Multimeter and Analog Multimeter (also know as multi-tester) are used to test
and measure different electrical quantities such as Current in Amperes, Voltage in Volts,
Resistance in Ohms (Ω) etc. Digital Multimeter has some advantages as compare to
Analog Multimeter as it has some additional features and ability to measure a wide range
of electrical quantities. To know the basic differences between AMM and DMM, follow the
article below.

Related Post: Difference Between Capacitor and Supercapacitor

Analog Multimeter
Analog Multimeter is a simple device as compared to Digital Multimeter which is used the

1 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

basic electrical quantities such as AC and DC resistance , voltage and currents etc.

Analog Multimeter (AMM) is also known as AVO Meter (Ampere, Voltage and Ohms).
Inside AMM, there is a permanent magnet moving coli (Galvanometer) which is connected
to the pivot of a pointer (needle as a pointer analog scale). Trimmers (as a combination of
resistors) are used to measure the current in it. The deflection of the pointer indicates the
measuring quantities values printed on the screen.

Related Post: Difference Between a Battery and a Capacitor

Digital Multimeter
Digital Multimeter (DMM) is a complex combination of Analog to Digital Converter (ADC),
Digital Display (LCD), Comparators, Encoders and logic controllers etc.

DMM has some advantages over AMM as it has some special features to measure
additional electrical quantities. It is used to calculate electric current, voltage, resistance,
capacitance, inductance, impedance etc.

One of the most feature of Digital Multimeter over Analog Multimeter is that it can be used to
test and check different electronics components and devices if they are good or need to be
replaced with new one.

For example, you can check a capacitor with DMM, Test different types of Transistors, test a
diode, check a relay, perform a continuity test, finding the value of burnt resistors etc. It is
also more accurate and easy to use as compare to AMM. That’s why Digital Multimeter is
more suitable than a basic Analog Multimeter.

Related Post: Difference Between Relay and Circuit Breaker

Main Differences between Analog & Digital Multimeter

There are key differences between an Analog Multimeter and Digital Multimeter which
are shown in the below table as comparison.

Characteristics Analog Multimeter Digital Multimeter

Generic Symbol

2 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Digital Multimeter is a
device used to measure
multiple electrical
quantities such as
An Analog Multimeter is a device
Current, Voltage,
used to measure limited electrical
Definition Resistance, Capacitance,
quantities such as Current,
Diode values, Transistors
Voltage and Resistance etc.
etc. It can also be used to
check different electronic
devices such as capacitor,
transistor and diodes etc.

Digital Multimeter is a
Analog Multimeter is permanent combination of complex
magnet moving coil electronics parts such as
Galvanometer. A Galvanometer digital display as LCD,
Construction
is a combination of resistors and Analog to Digital
trimmers are used to measure Converter (ADC),
the current. Comparator, Encoder,
Logic components etc.

Digital Multimeter (DMM

Analog Multimeter (AMM or AVO
Meter) measures voltage
Working Principle Meter) primarily measures the
using Analog to Digital
current using a Galvanometer.
Converter (ADC).

To measure the basic

electrical quantities as
To Measure the Current in
well as test various
Functions amperes (A), Voltage in Volts (V)
electronic components
and Resistance in Ohms (c).
such as diode, transistor
and capacitors etc.

Mostly, DMM meter can

measures basic and
advance electrical
Normally, AVO meter measures quantities such as current,
the basic electric qualities such resistance, voltage,
Measuring Abilities
as current, voltage and capacitance, inductance
resistance. etc. It can be also used to
check of a diode and
transistor etc are OK or
faulty.

Digital Multimeter shows

Analog Multimeter shows the
reading on a digital
Reading values on a printed value scale
display (LCD) in the form
against moving pointer.
of numeric values.

Digital Multimeters
Analogue Multimeters should be
Calibration provide automatic
calibrated manually.
calibration.

Analog Multimeters are less

accurate due to wrong pointer
Digital Multimeters are
readings and parallax errors
most accurate as
Accuracy (viewing the pointer of an analog
compared to analog
multimeter from another angle
multimeters.
and misinterpret the
measurement).

3 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Inferior resolution and

Superior resolution and accuracy
Resolution accuracy (±3% in
(±5% or more).
common).

In Analog Multimeters, range has

Modern Digital
to be set manually for different
Range multimeters have the auto
measuring quantities by rotating
ranging features.
the knob.

Each range is the

As a multiplying factor, Ohms
Ω Range maximum which is up to
range up to R x 10,000 ohms.
20MΩ (mega Ohms).

Highest frequencies
The frequency measuring rage ranges can be measured
Frequency Range for Analog Multimeters are up to by Digital Multimeter as
2kHZ. compared to Analog
multimeters.

Input resistance of digital Input resistance is not

multimeter is constant for all the constant in analog
Input Resistance
ranges to be measured. multimeters. i.e. it
(10-22MΩ). changes with range.

Digital Meters has ability

to accept multiple input
Analog Multimeters accept only
Input Signals signals and user can
one input signal per operation.
chose the desired one by
adjustable display.

Zero Ohm adjustment

No zero ohm adjustment is
Zero Ω Adjustment changes with each range
needed in a digital multimeter.
in Analog Multimeter.

Digital Multimeter
Analog Multimeter pointer
indicates a negative (-)
Reverse Polarity attempts to deflect to the left in
quantity when the polarity
case of reverse polarity.
is reversed.

Not required in case of current Power Source is required

and voltage measurement. to use the Digital
Power Supply
Power supply only required in Multimeter for
case of resistance measurement. measurement.

Size Comparatively bigger. Small as a handy tool.

DMM are costly as

AVO meters are less costly due compared to AMM as they
Cost to limited quantity measuring have more parameters
features. measuring abilities and
features.

Analog Multimeters are used to Digital Multimeters are

measure: used to test and measure:

Applications

4 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Current
Voltage
Resistance
Inductance
impedance
Capacitance
Diode Testing
Transistor Testing
Capacitor Testing
and even more
features.

Current
Voltage
Resistance etc.

Related Posts:

Difference between Fuse and Circuit Breaker

Difference between Contactor and Starter
Difference Between MCB, MCCB, ELCB & RCB, RCD or RCCB Circuit Breakers
Difference between Star and Delta Connections – Comparison Of Y/Δ
Difference between Circuit Breaker and Isolator / Disconnector
Difference between Electron Current and Conventional Current
Difference Between DOL Starter and Soft Starter

Reliable pH Control

Learn the Theory of pH Measurement,

Download the Free pH Theory Guide.

METTLER TOLEDO

 Tags AMM Analog Multimeter AVO meter Digital Multimeter DMM multimeter

SHOW ALL COMMENTS

5 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Buy online—ships within 3 days

Motion control components tailored for OEMs

Teknic

Basic Concepts Capacitors Comparisons EE Questions / Answers

EE-Tools, Instruments, Devices, Components & Measurements

Difference Between Capacitor and

Supercapacitor
 Electrical Technology  7  3 minutes read

Device Cuts
Electricity Bill
This Device Can Save
You Up To 90% In Your
Voltex Next Electricity Bill

Difference Between Capacitor and Supercapacitor / Ultra-Capacitor

Both Supercapacitor and conventional capacitors stores charge in the form of electrostatic
field. They are passive components while supercapacitive a type of polar capacitors.
While the function of normal capacitor and ultra-capacitor is same to store charge, there
are some difference between them which we will discuss as follow.

Related Post:Difference Between Conductor and Superconductor

Capacitor
A Capacitor is a two-terminal passive electronic component that stores charge in the form
of electric field between its metal plates. it is made up of two metal plates (electrodes as
anode and cathode) separated by an insulator known as the dielectric.

When source voltage is applied across the two terminal of a capacitor, the current want to

6 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Related Post: Difference Between a Battery and a Capacitor

Supercapacitor
Supercapacitor is also known as Super Cap, Double Layer Capacitor or Ultra-
capacitor. The electrodes of supercapacitor is coated with active carbon as electrode
material. A separator is used between Anode and Cathode in Supercapacitor, whereas a
dielectric materials are used in conventional capacitor.

The supercapacitors store charge either using electrostatic double-layer

capacitance (EDLC) or electrochemical pseudocapacitance or both known as hybrid
capacitance.

Supercapacitors are made of metal foil (electrodes), each layered with activated carbon.
These foils sandwich the separator in between. The separator is an ion-permeable
membrane such as graphene (used in modern supercapacitor) which provides the
insulation and exchange of ions of the electrolyte between the electrodes.

 Good to Know:

Supercapacitors are considered between Capacitors and Batteries. The

main reason is that Supercapacitor charges very fast like a capacitor and its
capacity is high and discharge rate is slow like a Battery.

7 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Related Post: Difference Between Relay and Circuit Breaker

Main Differences between Capacitors and Supercapacitors

There are key differences between a capacitor and ultra-capacitor which are shown in the
below table as comparison.

Characteristics Capacitor Supercapacitor

Supercapacitoir is a type of
Capacitor is a two metallic
polar capacitor and
terminals (Electrodes) device
electrolytic solution is used
with dielectric medium in
Construction instead of dielectric. The
between. Electric energy is
activated carbon is used on
stored in the electrostatic
electrodes to enlarge the
field in it.
area.

A Supercapacitor lays in
between Capacitor and
A Capacitor stores potential battery. Also known as
energy in the form of electric Super Cap, Double Layer
Definition field (electrostatically) and Capacitor or Ultra-capacitor.
release to the circuit as Supercapacitor has very
electrical energy. high capacitance and low
voltage rating as compared
to a normal Capacitor.

Supercapacitor stores
Capacitor store energy in the energy between the ions of
Working
form of electric field. the electrolyte & electrode
in a double layer of charge.

8 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

dielectric medium.
electrodes.

Supercapacitors can deliver

charge much faster than a
Charging and discharging of battery and store charge
conventional capacitor is more than an electrolytic
Charge / Discharge Time normal as compared to capacitor per volume unit.
supercapacitor i.e. That is why it is
10-3-10-6 seconds. considered between a
battery and an electrolytic
capacitor.

Charge / Discharge
> 0.95 0.85 – 0.98
Efficiency

Operating Temperature -20 to 65 °C (-4 to 149°F) -40 to 65 °C (-40 – 149°F)

Energy <0.1 Wh/kg 1-10 Wh/kg

Energy Density Low Very High

Specific Power Upto 100,000 Wh/kg Upto 10,000 Wh/kg

Cost Low High

It avoids excessive
drawing of power Long Life Cycle
Less Battery drain due High Energy Storage
to a capacitor Fast Charging and
Advantages
High Integration Density Discharging Time
Real and Reactive High Load Currents
Power Control

Cordless electric
screwdriver, which can
be charged in a few
Smoothing power minutes.
supply’s output.
LED flashlights in
Power factor correction digital cameras.
Frequency filters, high For stabilizing power
pass, low pass filters. supply in laptops and
Coupling & Decoupling handheld devices etc.
Applications

9 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

Difference between Circuit Breaker and Isolator / Disconnector

Dc-Dc Conve�ers for

Solar

5 - 40 W modules with input voltage

ratios up to 10:1.

CUI Inc

 Tags Capacitor Supercapacitor Ultra-capacitor

SHOW ALL COMMENTS

10 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/08/difference-between-analog-digita...

11 of 11 6/17/21, 16:02