What is Multimeter: Definition and 85 Discussions

A multimeter is a measuring instrument that can measure multiple electrical properties. A typical multimeter can measure voltage, resistance, and current, in which case it is also known as a volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM).
Analog multimeters use a microammeter with a moving pointer to display readings. Digital multimeters (DMM, DVOM) have numeric displays and have made analog multimeters obsolete as they are cheaper, more precise, and more physically robust than analog multimeters.
Multimeters vary in size, features, and price. They can be portable handheld devices or highly-precise bench instruments. Cheap multimeters can cost under US$10, while laboratory-grade models with certified calibration can cost over US$5,000.

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  1. S

    Solving a Multimeter Problem with 10k Internal Resistance

    Hello, I'm trying to learn some electronics by myself but it's quite difficult, now I'm studying the multimeters and a problem says What will a 20000Ω/V meter read on its 1 volt scale, when attached to a 1 volt source with an internal resistance of 10k? Can you set up this problem for me...
  2. C

    Power supply and Multimeter questions

    When measuring voltage or current, why are we suppose to crank up the power supply? For example, when we are measuring voltage we are supposed to make sure sure the current is set high enough so it won't limit the voltage, and vice versa for measuring current. I thought if you crank up voltage...
  3. L

    How Can I Check RPMs With Multimeter

    I have a Fluke model 112 multimeter. Is there any way I can measure gasoline engine speed by using the Hertz measuring capability of the meter. If I cannot, why not?
  4. D

    Best way to hold an object for measurement using multimeter?

    What is the best way to hold it against multimeter sharp probes? The component is quite small and i want to avoid inaccurate result due to my hands holding it / placing it on the bench top
  5. T

    Multimeter leads as stimulators?

    I have a strange biomedical engineering question... So I have a Grass square pulse stimulator (similar to the link here http://www.grasstechnologies.com/products/stimulators/stims48.html) which will be run through an isolation unit (the SIU5...
  6. M

    How does digital multimeter work?

    Homework Statement If I had two DMM's, how would I use one of them to measure the current that another DMM uses to measure the resistance of a circuit element. How would I use a DMM to measure the resistance of a shunt resistor that another DMM uses to measure current in a circuit?Homework...
  7. H

    Decent multimeter for first time user?

    I'm a second year Electrical Engineering student and I figured it's about time I purchase my own digital multimeter and build some stuff :) So I'm just wondering which type would be best suitable for someone in my position? Keep in mind that my budget is somewhere around the $20 mark, plus...
  8. B

    Best Multimeter for Home Projects: Advice Needed

    Now I am on the edge today because I somehow busted my grandfather's multimeter. When he died, his son- my uncle, took it and I borrowed it for my home projects, to measure voltage drops etc. Today I went outside to test how much voltage can my solar cell produce, in that process of measuring...
  9. M

    Which Multimeter Should I Choose for My Agricultural Engineering Degree?

    Hello all. I'd like to purchase a multimeter very soon. I'm pursuing an Agricultural Engineering degree with a focus on electrical/electronics. I also have interest in designing amplifiers and guitar effects pedal. Although I'd prefer to find a nice model for around $100, I always prefer a...
  10. M

    Discover the Power of Multimeter Battery Testing with DT-182

    So I have this small multimeter - DT-182. There are some settings for checking batteries. On the 1.5V battery setting in little parentheses below there is written 40mA. So a fairly full battery displays around 35 something on the screen. What is this "something" and how exactly does this test...
  11. T

    What multimeter features should I consider for my circuitry projects?

    Hello Everyone, I'm an Engineering student who has had the opportunity to work on some Mechatronics. Ever since, I've been interested in working on some circuitry for my own projects. Unfortunately, I don't have much knowledge about brands and prices, but I am looking for something that has...
  12. J

    Incorrect amps showing on multimeter?

    Okay so here's what I am dealing with. I created a circuit with 3 volts and used a 330 ohm resistor and a simple red LED, and using my multimeter I tested for the current. Now using ohms law: 3/330 = 9 mA... now what I see over the multimeter is 3 mA. I must have calculated something wrong...
  13. D

    How to check AC current Through multimeter

    Hai Guys... I want to check the AC current by using digtal multimeter.Please give me instruction.
  14. X

    New at using a multimeter, why isn't this working?

    I am attempting to measure the voltage from my wall outlet. I know all the proper precautions when using the multimeter for measuring voltage from a wall outlet, problem is, when I put the leads into the sockets, my multi meter is reading zero. I have it set to 200V AC (I am in the US so this...
  15. P

    Understanding VOM Multimeter & Full-Scale

    Homework Statement In my textbook, it says "the standard VOM " (volt-ohm-milliameter) multimeter uses a meter movement that measures current (typically 50 microamperes full-scale). I am just having trouble understanding what this means, I looked up full-scale and found that it was the...
  16. R

    Multimeter and can tell which 2 pins to use to vary the resistance

    Dear experts, I am a novice of engineering. So, pardon my basic question about potentiometers. I have a 3 pin pot. I used my multimeter and can tell which 2 pins to use to vary the resistance. To me, i see that i only need 2 pins out of the 3. I looked at the internet and it shows that...
  17. J

    How to calculate resistance and voltage using a multimeter

    Homework Statement This is just something I want to know, so it doesn't really have a problem statement. But I'm doing a lab tomorrow that uses voltage dividers. So it's two resistors R1 and R2 in series with a power supply. The power supplies Vin (the input voltage). A voltmeter is...
  18. F

    Why did the multimeter leads arc?

    I was about to go out to the car to check how many amps were being drawn from a parasitic component in the circuit. Battery has been dieing if I leave it connected for a few days. The 12VDC test light connected from the positive battery post to the positive cable(after pulling cable off) shows...
  19. N

    Would a digital multimeter contain an A/D system?

    In the lab for my physics course we're using a Vernier "A/D system" to collect/transmit data from the experiment sensor to the computer for analysis. It's my first time using one, and we weren't told anything about it. In this sense does A/D mean "analog to digital" converter? Would a digital...
  20. K

    Voltage reading using a multimeter

    what is the voltage reading using a multimeter in the multisim workbench software? is it average or peak voltage?
  21. X

    Multimeter measures resistance when there’s no battery attached?

    How does the multimeter measures resistance when there’s no battery attached?
  22. C

    How Do I Interpret Multimeter Units Correctly?

    I am trying to make sure that the data I read off my multimeter has the right units. I have a multimeter that is a similar model to this one: http://www.tequipment.net/BK2703B.html You can enlarge the image to see the settings. When I measure AC current, my result says "2.95" when the...
  23. A

    How can multimeter measure temperature?

    The multimeter in our lab has temperature measurement function. I am wondering how it works. Can it measure temperature of insulating materials or it just work for metal?
  24. O

    Internal resistance of a digital multimeter

    Homework Statement Provided that the input resistance of the DMM is much larger than the resistance values in the circuit to which it is connected, the DMM will not draw a significant current. Estimate the input resistance of the DMM by connecting the 10 M resistor supplied in series with...
  25. T

    General-purpose digital multimeter?

    Help me out, fellow EE's. Anyone know of a decent, general-purpose digital multimeter? I'm asking your opinion, because I'm sure a lot of you have your personal favorite. Thanks!
  26. B

    Multimeter Resistance and Error Compensation

    Hi I have this lab about exploring rectifier diode and zener diode. I have this question I have problem to answer. "You measured the current through the diode (rectifier diode) and voltage across the diode using the multimeter in the lab. Use a point in the reverse bias region and the...
  27. 3

    Multimeter measuring full-wave rectified DC current?

    I have this question as a pre-lab for a physics electricity and magnetism lab. (I attached the question as an image.) I am having difficulty answering the second part: A full-wave rectified DC current is just the absolute value of the sinusoidal AC current...
  28. C

    Stupid Mistake: Measuring Body Resistance with a Multimeter

    Hi everybody, I have a question concerning a "stupid" thing i did today. I found a electric multimeter (if it is called so- you know, the device that measures dc current, the resistance in Ohms, dc and rms of ac voltage...), and thought to measure my body resistance. I didn't even think that...
  29. C

    What's reading for multimeter set to read dc voltage and bandwidth of 10khz

    Happened to come across this qn: Noise from receiver is measured by rms voltmeter with bandwidth 100khz, and voltmeter reads 2mV. what will be the reading for multimeter set to read dc voltage and bandwidth of 10khz? My ans is 10/100 x 2 = 0.2mV. cos smaller bandwidth reduced by a factor...
  30. T

    Uncertainty in resistance measurements with multimeter

    I am writing a report on an experiment involving measuring the resistance of one component with different multimeters, and finding the uncertainties of these measurements from the multimeters themselves. For example, with one of the multimeters I got 270.1 ohms. This multimeter have stated "0.7%...
  31. T

    I bought an multimeter (I always called them ohmmeters) at Walmart

    Is it sensitive enough to read brainwaves and how far do I have to push these probes into my head?
  32. K

    Measuring Capacitance with a Multimeter

    Hi:smile: , How are u? I want to know how is multimeter can value capacitor. also what is design for it, I mean farad unit in multimeter. Thanks I appreciate it :cool:
  33. I

    Need help picking out a multimeter

    Hello, I need to purchase a digital multimeter for robotics building. Any recommendations on a specific multimeter? Thanks EDIT:If you have no recommendations, take a look at the data sheet for the EX430 multimeter on this page...
  34. H

    Did I do damage to the multimeter?

    I accidently put the black probe in the "A" port instead of the "COM" port and mistakingly measured resistence. The resistence measured seemed to be correct, but did I do damage to the multimeter?
  35. L

    Measuring RPMs with a Digital Multimeter

    I have a Digital Multimeter (DMM) which also measures frequency. Can this be used somehow to show RPM's of a DC motor while it is running at various stable speeds? Or is there an inexpensive device which can be used to show RPM's? If I have to build a device, my thoughts are to mount a sort...
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