Multimeter, Test Meter Basics

Multimeter Tutorial Includes:
Test meter basics     Analogue multimeter     How does an analogue multimeter work     DMM digital multimeter     How a DMM works     DMM accuracy & resolution     DMM CAT ratings     How to buy best digital multimeter     Cheap vs expensive DMM     How to use a multimeter     Voltage measurement     Current measurements     Resistance measurements     Diode & transistor test     Fault finding transistor circuits     Analogue vs Digital multimeter    

The test meter or multimeter is one of the most flexible items of test equipment.

Test meters or multimeters are used everywhere from home workshops to high technology laboratories and by people who range from electronics enthusiasts to students, and service engineers to high technology development engineers.

Anyone who needs to look at electrical or electronic circuits and systems may need to use a test meter or as they are often called: multimeters in view of the fact that they are able to make a multitude of electronic and electrical measurements.

The multimeter can be used for measuring a variety of basic electrical quantities. Traditionally they were used to measure current, voltage and resistance, but modern digital test meters are able to measure many more quantities.

Multimeter / test meter history

The test meter or multimeter can trace its origins back to the invention of the galvanometer around 1820.

Initially all test meters were analogue as digital technology was still many years into the future.

Galvanometers were large instruments that gave a deflection when a current passed through its coil. Typically to measure voltage and resistance a Wheatstone bridge configuration was used where the bridge balanced when resistors or voltages matched.

The Wheatstone bridge was not suited to many applications as it was large and slow to use. As a result, specific voltage test meters and current test meters started to appear.

The development of what we know today as the multimeter is attributed to a British Post Office engineer named Donald Macadie. Rather than having to carry a number of separate instruments with him to service and fault find telecommunications circuits, he wanted a single instrument. Accordingly he developed a test meter that could measure current, voltage and resistance. As it measured Amps, Volts and Ohms he called it an AVO meter.

This AVO test meter consisted of a single moving coil meter with a set of switches and precision resistors that enabled it to provide a variety of measurements and ranges.

A company called the Automatic Coil Winder and Electrical Equipment Company was formed to manufacture the new test meter.

Although Donald MacAdie was a shareholder of ACWEECO, he continued to work for the Post Office until his retirement in 1933.

The AVO meter was manufactured for many years, with successive versions introducing better accuracy and more capability. However the basic format remained the same until it ceased production as digital types took over.

Multimeter types

Multimeters, or test meters come in different types. They fall into two main categories.

    Analogue multimeters:

The analogue multimeter was the first form of test meter to be introduced. As the name implies it uses analogue techniques to measure and display the readings. Although digital technology has in many ways overtaken these analogue meters, they can still be bought and they are widely used in a number of areas.

Analogue multimeters are less widely used these days although some people still prefer to use them.

    Digital multimeters, DMMs :

The digital multimeter, or DMM is now the most widely used form of multimeter. Using digital technology, it can make very accurate measurements and many of these test instruments can make a host of measurements beyond the basic amps volts and ohms of the analogue test meters.

Digital multimeters are the most widely used for of multimeter offering the advantages of many measurement types, low cost and accuracy.

Multimeter measurements

It is possible to make a variety of measurements using multimeters / test meters.

• Voltage measurements:   Voltage measurements using a test meter are very straightforward to make. Simply set the meter and place the probes across the points to be measured.
  Read more about . . . . how to measure voltage with a multimeter.
  
  
• Current measurements:   Current measurements require a little more preparation – the meter needs to be inserted into the circuit so that current flows through the test meter.
  Read more about . . . . how to measure current with a multimeter.
  
  
• Resistance measurements:   To make a resistance measurement with a test meter, the item to be measured should be taken out of the circuit, and the multimeter used to measure the resistance. For analogue meters some settings are required on the meter before making the measurement.
  Read more about . . . . resistance measurements with a multimeter.
  
  

Multimeter prices

Multimeter test meters come in a variety of shapes sizes and they have differing degrees of functionality and performance. As a result the multimeter prices vary according to what is being bought.

The prices for low end multimeters can be as low as a few Dollars, Pounds or Euros. However, multimeters from well know manufacturers will be more expensive. Some can even cost a hundred dollars or more.

Multimeter prices vary considerably between the unknown manufacturers and the established well known brands. When buying a test meter it is necessary to consider its usage. Some of the low cost ones will be fine for many applications – their accuracy will be good under normal conditions. The well know brands with higher multimeter prices can be justified where guaranteed performance is required. Also when working on high voltages, reputable brands will be able to provide the required certifications needed.

As a result, when considering multimeters, prices and performance it is necessary to consider the application, the requirements and decide what is needed.

  Written by Ian Poole .
  Experienced electronics engineer and author.

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