DJJ20053 – ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY

LAB 1:
ANALOG MULTIMETER
GROUP MEMBERS:

NAME: REG. NO.

MARKS:

A B C D E F

LECTURER NAME :
SUBMISSION DATE :
1.0 TOPIC : ANALOG MULTIMETER

2.0 OBJECTIVES : After completing this practical, students should be able to;

a) Use analog multimeter to measure resistance, DC voltage and

current with proper methods.
b) Determine values of resistors using colour codes and multimeter
readings

3.0 MATERIAL & APPARATUS :

i) Analog multimeter
ii) Probe
iii) Resistors

4.0 INTRODUCTION:

Analog multimeters are electrical test instruments which are used to measure voltage,
current, resistance, frequency and signal power.

Analog multimeters use a needle along a scale. Switched range analog multimeters are very
cheap but are difficult for beginners to read accurately, especially on resistance scales. Each
type of meter has its advantages. Used as a voltmeter, a digital meter is usually better
because its resistance is much higher, 1 M or 10 M, compared to 200 for an analog
multimeter on a similar range. On the other hand, it is easier to follow a slowly changing
voltage by watching the needle on an analogue display. Used as an ammeter, analog
multimeters have a very low resistance and is very sensitive. More expensive digital
multimeters can equal or better this performance. Most modern multimeters are digital and
traditional analog mustimeters are becoming obsolete.

5.0 THEORY:

a) Analog multimeter (Figure 1.1) is an instrument used to measure the following

parameters:

• DC voltage and AC voltage in volts (V)

• DC current in miliamperes (mA)
• Resistance in ohms (Ω)
• Audible continuity check/conductance
• High frequency output voltage (hFE)
• Decible (dB)
 • Temperature in celcius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F)
• hFE for transistor

1 10

1. Pointer
2. Zero Indicator Corrector
3. Output
9
2 4. Range selector switch knob
5. Negative measuring connector (-)
6. Positive measuring connector (+)
8 7. Range Selector
3 8. Zero ohm adjuster
9. Plat name
7
10. Plate Scale
4

Figure 1.1: Analog Multimeter Diagram

b) Resistors are electronic components that acts as current limiter. Resistors also have four
or five colour bands or codes on the body for identification (refer Figure 1.3 and Table 1.1)

BAND D: TOLERANCE

BAND A
BAND C: MULTIPLIER

BAND B

Figure 1.3- Resistor Diagram

COLOUR BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D

Black 0 0 0

Brown 1 1 1

Red 2 2 2 1%

Orange 3 3 3

Yellow 4 4 4

Green 5 5 5

Blue 6 6 6

Purple 7 7 7

Grey 8 8 8

White 9 9 9

Gold -1 5%

Silver -2 10%

No Colour -3 20%
Table 1.1: Color Codes for Resistor Bands

A B x 10C ± D
c) There are few simple steps to measure resistance using analog multimeter.

Step 1 - Become Familiar with the Analog Multimeter

The analog multimeter contains many different dials, switches and numbers that can be
confusing if you are not used to reading them. Look over your manual carefully and make
sure you understand the basics. You read the analog multimeter by looking at the position of
the needle.

Step 2 - Connect the Lead Wires

The analog multimeter gets its readings from two lead wires that are connected to its body.
One of these wires is red and is plugged into the port that reads "Ohms." The black lead wire
should be plugged into the port that reads "Com."

Step 3 - Calibrate the Meter Reading

Once the two leads are plugged into the analog multimeter, you should calibrate it so you
can take an accurate reading. Touch the two leads together and see what the needle does.
It should display some sort of reading. Correct the reading to zero. If you cannot do so,
record this number on a piece of paper for future use. ( let say the reading = X) You need
to do this every time, as this reading can change due to atmospheric conditions and
moisture.

Step 4 - Check the Circuit

Every piece of electronic equipment has specifications written on a tag. Whatever the
number is, this is the number you should read when you test the circuit. Remove all other
electrical power from the device before you test it.

Step 5 - Test the Circuit

Turn on the analog multimeter and set the selector switch to "ohms." Touch the red lead to
the positive portion of the electronic coil or device. Touch the black lead to the negative or
ground wire. The needle on the analog multimeter will jump to register a reading. When it
does, you will want to wait a few seconds for the needle to shop moving.

Step 6 - Take the Reading

After the needle stops moving, you can read the number it is pointing to. Write that number
down. (let say the reading = Y) If there was initial reading before you start measuring, make
sure you subtract the number X (step 3) from the reading. (Actual reading = Y – X)
6.0 PART 1 - READING MULTIMETER

1. Figure below shows the display of a multimeter panel. Fill in Table 1.2 by reading the
panel if the pointer is at position A, B, C and D.

READINGS
METER RANGE
A B C D
1000
250
VOLT 50
0.5
0.1
250mA
CURRENT 25mA
50µA
X1
X100
OHM
X1k
X10k

Table 1.2
7.0 PART 2 : READ OHMS WITH AN ANALOG MULTIMETER

Procedure:

1. Using a given resistor, determine the value of the resistor by identifying the colour codes
and record the value in table 1.3

2. Measure the value of the resistor using analog multimeter and record the reading.

3. Repeat step 1 and 2 with other 4 given resistors

4. Calculate error percentage for each resistor

Colourband _ value − multimeter _ reading

* Error _ percentage = x100%
Colourband _ value

Result:

Colour Bands Readings (Ω)

Multimeters Error
Colour Resistance Tolerance/Range Readings (Ω) Percentage
Value

Table 1.2

8.0 QUESTIONS

1) Why do we need resistors in electronic circuits?

2) State 4 factors that influence the resistivity of a material.

 3) Why are resistors also known as passive component?

9.0 DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION