Multimeter

 Instructions  
 
Voltmeter  

A   voltmeter   is   used   to   measure   the  

voltage   drop   across   a   circuit   element   or  
set  of  circuit  elements.  For  our  purposes,  
we   will   just   consider   measuring   the  
voltage   across   a   single   light   bulb.   The  
most  important  thing  to  remember  is  that  
Figure  1:  Measuring  the  voltage  
the   voltmeter   should   be   connected   in   across  a  resistor.  
parallel   with   the   light   bulb.   That   means  
you   can   always   connect   the   voltmeter   last.   You   do   not   have   to   disconnect  
any   circuit   elements   in   order   to   properly   add   a   voltmeter   to   a   circuit.   A  
voltmeter   is   designed   to   have   a   very   high   resistance   so   that   it   does   not  
affect  the  rest  of  the  circuit.    

In  a  circuit  diagram,  a  voltmeter  is  represented  by  a  circle  with  a  “V”  inside   Figure  2:  A  multimeter  
being  used  to  measure  
as  shown  in  Figure  1.   a  DC  voltage.  

To  use  the  multimeter  as  a  voltmeter,  put  leads  into  the  “COM”  jack  and  the  “V”  jack.  (“COM”  is  
short  for  “common”.  Any  time  that  you  use  a  multimeter,  you  should  have  a  lead  in  the  “COM”  
input   jack.)   Then   turn   the   knob   until   it   points   to   “VDC”   or   “VAC”   (Figure   2).   You   will   usually   be  
measuring  a  DC  voltage.    

Ammeter  

An  ammeter  is  used  to  measure  the  current  through  

a   circuit   element.   (Once   again,   we   will   consider   a  
light  bulb.)  The  most  important  thing  to  remember  
is   that   an   ammeter   must   be   connected   in   series  
with  the  light  bulb.  This  means  that  you  must  break  
the  circuit  in  order  to  add  an  ammeter.  That  is,  you  
must   disconnect   a   lead   or   two   in   order   to   use   an   Figure  3:  Measuring  the  
current  through  a  resistor.  
ammeter   in   a   circuit.   If   you   add   an   ammeter  
without  disconnecting  anything,  you  have  added  it  incorrectly.  

Ammeters   are   designed   to   have   very   low   resistance.   That   means   that  
connecting   an   ammeter   in   parallel   with   a   circuit   element   will   cause   a   short  
circuit,   possibly   blowing   a   fuse   in   the   ammeter.   You   must   be   very   careful   with  
Figure  4:  A  multimeter  
ammeters.  Always  feel  free  to  ask  your  TA  for  help  if  you  are  unsure  about  the   being  used  to  measure  
use  of  an  ammeter.   a  current.  Always  use  
the  10A  setting  in  this  
course.  
In  a  circuit  diagram,  an  ammeter  is  represented  by  a  circle  with  an  “A”  in  it  as  shown  in  Figure  3.    

To  use  the  multimeter  as  an  ammeter,  put  leads  into  the  “COM”  and  the  “10A”  jack.  Then  turn  
the  knob  until  it  points  to  the  “10A”  setting  (Figure  4).  This  setting  can  measure  currents  up  to  
10  A,  which  is  much  larger  than  any  current  you  will  encounter  in  this  class.  

In   theory,   these   multimeters   can   also   be   used   to   measure   smaller   currents   more   accurately  
using   the   μA   or   mA   setting.   However,   the   fuse   for   these   settings   has   almost   certainly   been  
blown.   As   mentioned   previously,   it   is   easy   to   blow   a   fuse   if   you   are   not   an   ammeter   expert.  
Rather   than   continually   replacing   the   fuse   for   these   setting,   we   ask   that   all   students   use   the  
10A  setting  to  measure  all  currents.  Never  use  the  low-­‐current  setting  in  this  course.    

Ohmmeter  

An   ohmmeter   is   used   to   measure   the  

resistance   between   two   points.   Often   an  
ohmmeter   is   used   to   find   whether   or   not   a  
good   electrical   connection   exists   between   two  
points.  

To   use   the   multimeter   as   an   ohmmeter,   put  

leads   into   the   “COM”   jack   and   the   “Ω”   jack.  
Then   turn   the   dial   to   the   “Ω”   setting.   If   the  
multimeter   reads   “OL”   then   there   is   no  
electrical   connection   between   the   two   input  
jacks.   This   might   indicate   that   a   resistor   has   Figure  5:  No  electrical  connection  between  the  input  jacks  
(left)  and  a  very  good  electrical  connection  between  the  input  
burned   up   or   that   a   fuse   has   blown   among   jacks  (right).  
other   things.   If   there   is   a   good   electrical  
connection  between  the  input  jacks,  the  multimeter  will  quantify  the  resistance  for  you  (Figure  
5).  Notice  that  two  test  leads  create  a  path  with  a  very  low  resistance,  much  less  than  1  ohm.    

The  ohmmeter  is  extremely  useful  as  a  troubleshooting  device.  If  you  think  a  test  lead  may  be  
bad,  plug  one  end  into  each  input  jack  and  check  the  resistance.  If  you  think  a  light  bulb  is  burnt  
out,  check  its  resistance.  

AC  vs.  DC  

Many   multimeters   can   measure   both   AC   and   DC   quantities.   The   DC   voltmeter/ammeter   is   often  
a  separate  setting  from  the  AC  voltmeter/ammeter.  For  the  Extech  multimeters  that  we  use  in  
lab,   the   “Mode”   button   switches   between   AC   and   DC   current   measurements.   In   the   Circuits   lab,  
we  will  only  measure  DC  quantities.  In  the  Speakers  lab,  we  will  measure  AC  quantities.  In  the  
other  labs,  it’s  up  to  you  to  decide!