FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN TEKNIKAL

& VOKASIONAL

JABATAN PENDIDIKAN
KEJURUTERAAN

COURSE CODE BBP 10203

NAME OF COURSE ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY 1

TITLE MULTIMETER

EXPERIMENT NO. 01
 JABATAN PENDIDIKAN KEJURUTERAAN
FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN TEKNIKAL & VOKASIONAL

BBP10203 – ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY 1

TITLE : Analog multimeter measurement & application

OBJECTIVES : At the end of this experiment, students should be able to

i) Do the measurement by using analog multimeter
ii) Give knowledge about the usage of analog multimeter and its
functions.
iii) Practice how to read the scale and set the range of multimeter.

EQUIPMENT LIST : i) Analog Multimeter

ii) Variable DC power supply
iii) Bread board
iv) Resistors
v) Wire clips

THEORY:

Multimeters are very useful test instruments. There are two types of multimeter : Analog multimeter and
digital multimeter. Analog meters use the force within the circuit to move a pointer to a scale position.
Digital meters sense the force within the circuit and convert it to an ordinary number.

By operating a multi-position switch on the meter they can be quickly and easily set to be a voltmeter, an
ammeter or an ohmmeter. In other words, this instrument is used to measure resistance, current and
voltage in electric circuit. It is also used to test electronic component such as resistor, capacitor, inductor,
diode, transistor and etc. Besides, we can check the condition of these components whether good or not.

If we looked at the analog multimeter, this equipment is classified into 6 basic divisions:

a. Control Unit
Control unit can be set followed by measurement unit as we need. For example, if we want to
measure alternating voltage and current (AU/AC), we must set the control unit to AVC
(alternating current voltage) and so on.

b. Reading Scale
Reading scale has several curve line with certain unit such as DCV.A, AVC,  and so on. Electric
quantity is measured in this meter by the reading scale.

c. Pointer
The pointer is moving on the reading scale to show you the value of the electric quantity being
measured.

d. Terminal Meter
There are two terminal meter named positive terminal and negative terminal. Both of terminal
are joint to test lead where as the red color for positive terminal (+) and black color for
negative terminal (-).

2
 e. The Pointer-Zero Adjustment (only for analog multimeter)
It is used to set the scale of volt and current on zero. An adjustment is not required if the
pointer is set to zero.

f. The Ohms-Zero Adjustment (only for analog multimeter)

Along the bottom of the meter panel marked as Ohms Zero. This knob is used to set the full
scale deflection of the pointer whenever the function is set to Ohms. Full scale is usually zero
ohms. To set this:

I. Set function to ohms

II. Set range to R x 1
III. Touch probes together

Label of Each Indicator on the Analog Multimeter

RESISTOR SCALE
READING

DCV SCALE READING

POINTER READING

POINTER ADJUSTMENT
AT 0 Volt

OFF MULTIMETER RESISTOR SCALE

SELECTOR ADJUSTMENT TO 0Ω

ACV SELECTOR

DCV SELECTOR TRANSISTOR TESTING

RESISTOR SELECTOR

BUZZER POSITIVE TERMINAL

NEGATIVE TERMINAL (+VE) CONNECTOR
(-VE) CONNECTOR
DC mA SELECTOR

Figure: 1.1

3
Measurement Method of Analog Multimeter

Analog meters take a little power from the circuit under test to operate their pointer. They must have a
high sensitivity of at least 20k /V or they may upset the circuit under test and give an incorrect reading.

Batteries inside the meter provide power for the resistance ranges, they will last several years but you
should avoid leaving the meter set to a resistance range in case the leads touch accidentally and run the
battery flat.

Typical ranges for analog multimeters like the one illustrated in Figure: 1.1
(the voltage and current values given are the maximum reading on each range)

 DC Voltage: 0.5V, 2.5V, 10V, 50V, 250V, 1000V.

 AC Voltage: 10V, 50V, 250V, 1000V.
 DC Current: 50µA, 2.5mA, 25mA, 250mA.
A high current range is often missing from this type of meter.
 AC Current: None. (You are unlikely to need to measure this).
 Resistance: 20 , 200 , 2k , 20k , 200k .
These resistance values are in the middle of the scale for each range.

If we looked at the reading scale of multimeter, we will see many colorful curve lines. Every line is used for
certain unit such as resistance (), direct voltage and current (DCV.A), alternating voltage current (ACV)
and so on (see Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.2

4
A. Resistance Measurement

The resistance scale on an analog meter is normally at the top, it is an unusual scale because it
reads backwards and is not linear (evenly spaced). This is unfortunate, but it is due to the way
the meter works.

1. Set the meter to a suitable resistance range.

Choose a range so that the resistance you expect will be near the middle of the scale. For
example: with the scale shown below and an expected resistance of about 50k choose
the × 1k range.
2. Hold the meter probes together and adjust the control on the front of the meter which is
usually labeled "0 ADJ" until the pointer reads zero (on the RIGHT remember!).
If you can't adjust it to read zero, the battery inside the meter needs replacing.
3. Put the probes across the component.
Avoid touching more than one contact at a time or your resistance will upset the reading!

Choose scale range at x1. When the pointer shows at 20 scale reading, therefore the total of
resistance is 26 x 1 = 26.

B. DC Voltage Measurement
There are 3 ranges in this scale reading: 0 to 10, 0 to 50 and 0 to 250.
When u want to measure a voltage not more than 50V, the suitable scale
Range is 0 to 50V. For example, if the pointer shows at 20, the total of
Voltage measured is 20V.

If the voltage is around 0.1V, so suitable scale reading is 0 to 10V (10/100=0.1V). For example,
if the pointer shows at 8, the total of voltage measured is 8/100=0.08V.

C. DC Current Measurement
Scale range has been choosing is 25mA. The suitable scale reading is 0 to
250 (250/10=25mA). If pointer at 150, the total of current measured is
150/10=15mA.

5
Taking accurate readings

To take an accurate reading from an analogue scale

you must have your eye in line with the pointer.

Avoid looking at an angle from the left or right

because you will see a reading which is a little too
high or too low. Many analogue meters have a small
strip of mirror along the scale to help you. When your
eye is in the correct position the reflection of the
Correct Wrong
reflection hidden reflection visible pointer is hidden behind the pointer itself. If you can
see the reflection you are looking at an angle.
Figure: 1.3

Precautions

Multimeters are easily damaged by careless use so please take these steps:

 Always disconnect the multimeter before adjusting the range switch.

 Always check the setting of the range switch before you connect to a circuit.
 Never leave a multimeter set to a current range (except when actually taking a reading).
The greatest risk of damage is on the current ranges because the meter has a low resistance.

6
EXPERIMENT 1-2 : READINGS OF ANALOG MULTIMETER

Procedures:

1. DC Voltage Readings (unit volt)

i. Please ensure the positive prove (red) in positive (+) terminal and negative probe (black) in
negative (-) terminal.
ii. Select the selector to DCV in 250 DVC

iii. Look the black color scale and find the maximum scale. The maximum scale at Point 1 (250)
based on selector value 250 DVC
iv. Look the scale at point 2 and take the reading.
v. The reading shows at in volt DC unit.

Point
2

Point
1

2. Resistor value reading (unit Ω)

7
 i. Please ensure the positive prove (red) in positive (+) terminal and negative probe (black) in
negative (-) terminal.

ii. Before make reading the resistor measurement at the selector switch of analog multimeter,
the best practice touch two probe positive and negative and make 0Ω adjustment for resistor
measurements.

iii. Example: Select the selector to Ω range at x100

iv. Look at top of black color scale and find the number in Ω based from the right at 0Ω.

v. Look scale at point 1 and take the reading of scale.

vi. The reading shows at 10 Ω (multiply) the value at the scale (100 Ω)

vii. The final result = in Ω unit.

Point
1

3. AC volt reading (unit volt)

i. Plug the red test lead into the OUTPUT socket and the black one into the –COM.
ii. Set the range selector at the selected range position.

8
iii. Example: Select the selector in ACV range at 50

iv. Look the black color scale and find the maximum scale. The maximum scale at POINT 1 (50)
based on selector value 50 AVC
v. Look the scale at point 2 and take the reading.
vi. The reading shows at in AC volt unit.

Point
2

Point
1

9
4. DC Ampere reading (unit mA)

i. Place the red test lead into + socket and the black into the –COM for DCA range at
50 µA – 250 mA

ii. Place the red test lead into the DC 10A MAX socket and the black into –COM for DCA range at
250mA – 10A

iii. Set the range selector at a selected DCA range position.

iv. Example: Select the selector to DCmA range in 250

v. Look the black color scale and find the maximum scale. The maximum scale at POINT 1 (250)
based on selector value 250 DCV.A
vi. Look the scale at point 2 and take the reading.
vii. The reading shows at DC current at mA unit.

Point
2

Point
1

10
EXPERIMENT 2-2 : MEASUREMENT OF ANALOG MULTIMETER

Procedures:

i. Connect the circuit as show as figure 1.4 (a), (b) and (c). Choose the resistor value by yourself. Use
the equipment list provided.

Ω R

Figure 1.4 (a) : Measuring Resistance

DC
R
10 VDC

Figure 1.4 (b) : Measuring Current

DC V
R
10 VDC

Figure 1.4 (c) : Measuring Voltage

11
 ii. Use the method of analog measurement as mentioned before.
iii. List down the measurements into table 1.1
iv. Do the calculation for the V/I and list it down into table 1.1
v. Repeat the above instruction for the other 4 resistors.

Measurement Calculation Color

No. R (ohm) V (Volt) I (Ampere) V/I Code
R1
(3 types)

R2

R3

R4

R5

Table 1.1

vi. Construct the simple circuit shown below on the breadboard with one of the resistor whose
resistance you measured above. Then, set the supply voltage to 3V DC.

A C

3 VDC R V

B D

Figure 1.6

vii. Turn the multimeter dial to the appropriate (voltage) setting.

viii. Suppose that we want to measure the voltage difference VA - VB. Notice that since A is at the
positive end of the battery and B is at the negative end, we expect a measured voltage difference
of about 3.0 volts. To actually make the measurement, touch the black lead to point B and touch
the red lead to point A.
ix. Record the measured voltage: _________________ V DC.

 The important lesson here is that if you want to measure any voltage difference, V1 - V2,
the red lead touches point 1 and the black lead touches point 2. Always think "red minus
black."

12
 x. Perform and record the following measurements :

a) VC - VA ; why is this voltage difference zero?

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

b) VB - VA ; why is this voltage difference negative?

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

DISCUSSIONS:

1. Reading on the Scale

Figure: 1.6

Based at pointer on the scale of multimeter, write the reading value at the every range below:
Result:

Selector Range Reading Unit

DCV 50
DCV 2.5
DCA 0.25
Resistor X1 Ω
Resistor X1KΩ
ACV 1000

Table 1.3

13
 2. Measurement of Analog Multimeter

a. Compare the value of V/I with R.

Based on the table 1.1, is there any difference value? If yes, please explain.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

b. Analog Multimeter can check the condition of components whether good or not. Discuss
on how to check the condition of switch and fuse.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

c. The multimeter is not suitable to measure capacitor with the low capacitance value. Thus,
define the suitable equipment to measure it.

___________________________________________________________________

d. Discuss the advantages using Digital Multimeter than Analog Multimeter

CONCLUSION:

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

14