INSTRUMENTATION AND PROCESS CONTROL

Digital Multimeter
By: Manvik Joshi
• A digital multimeter is a test tool used to measure two or more electrical
values—principally voltage (volts), current (amps) and resistance (ohms).
It is a standard diagnostic tool for technicians in the electrical/electronic
industries.
• Digital multimeters long ago replaced needle-based analog meters due to
their ability to measure with greater accuracy, reliability and increased
impedance. Fluke introduced its first digital multimeter in 1977.
• Digital multimeters combine the testing capabilities of single-task meters
—the voltmeter (for measuring volts), ammeter (amps) and ohmmeter
(ohms). Often, they include several additional specialized features or
advanced options.
• Technicians with specific needs, therefore, can seek out a model targeted
to meet their needs.
The face of a digital multimeter typically
includes four components:

• Display: Where measurement readouts can be viewed.

• Buttons: For selecting various functions; the options vary by model.
• Dial (or rotary switch): For selecting primary measurement values
(volts, amps, ohms).
• Input jacks: Where test leads are inserted.
• Test leads are flexible, insulated wires (red for positive, black for
negative) that plug into the DMM. They serve as the conductor from
the item being tested to the multimeter. The probe tips on each lead
are used for testing circuits.
• The terms counts and digits are used to describe a digital
multimeter's resolution—how fine a measurement a meter can make.
By knowing a multimeter's resolution, a technician can determine if it
is possible to see a small change in a measured signal.
• Example: If a multimeter offers a resolution of 1 mV on the 4 V range,
it is possible to see a change of 1 mV (1/1000th of a volt) while
reading 1V.
Broadly speaking, multimeters fall into one
of a handful of categories:
• General purpose (aka Testers)
• Standard
• Advanced
• Compact
• Wireless

Digital multimeters are typically grouped by their number of counts (up

to 20,000) they display.
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE
MULTIMETERS
• Craftsman 34-82141 Digital Multimeter.
• Fluke 117 Electricians True RMS Multimeter.
• Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter.
• Etekcity Digital Voltage Tester Meter.
• Extech EX330 Autoranging Mini Multimeter.
• Klein Tools 69149 Electrical Test Kit.
• Crenova MS8233D Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter.
THANK YOU!