LAB 1 : MULTIMETER DENE 1113

1.0 TITLE: MULTIMETER

2.0 OBJECTIVE
1. Study the basic function of analog and digital multimeter and recognize the
part of multimeter and how to get the reading from the multimeter panel.
2. Principles of measuring voltage, current and resistance by using
multimeter (Multisim simulation software)
3. Build and analyze a simple electrical circuit in Multisim simulation
software.

3.0 THEORY
Analog multimeter is a simple, inexpensive and easy to use. It is an analog
device and performs ohmmeter, ammeter, and voltmeter functions. The meter
uses a d'Arsonval movement (a moving coil inside a magnetic field), which
draws current from the circuit under test.

Digital multimeter (DMM) is operated by CMOS LSI multiprocessor chip.

Advantages of DMM are easy to read, high degree accuracy, extremely high
input impedance, consistent reading, automatic display of polarity, automatic
range reading, battery operated and storage capabilities. A disadvantage of
DDM is that it is not sensitive to slowly varying analog signal. Therefore it is
not suitable for tuning receiver circuit because digital meter requires delay
time to update the display and cannot easily be used to find null points or
peak.

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The following are the ways and precautions when using the analog/digital
multimeter:

Measure Resistance
To measure resistance, select the ohms mode, remove the resistor to be
measured from your circuit, and place the ohmmeter leads across the resistor
leads.

Notes:
• The Ohmmeter works by placing a small voltage across the circuit
element. The current that flows through the element in response to that
voltage determines the ohmmeter reading.

• The resistance of a resistor cannot be measured while it is in a circuit

because there might be many other current paths available, or the
battery may force current backwards through the ohmmeter.

Measure Current in series

The current can be measured through a particular loop of the circuit by

connecting the ammeter in series with the other elements in the circuit loop.
This means that the circuit must physically modify in the following way:

1. Create a gap in the segment where want to measure the current

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2. Reconnect the gap using ammeter as a jumper wire

Notes:
• Must be VERY careful to make sure that the multimeter is configured
correctly before placing it in parallel across a circuit element. Ammeters
have very LOW internal resistance and can be damaged when placed in
parallel across circuit elements.

• Because the ammeter is placed in series with the other circuit elements,
the circuit must be physically altered in order to measure current with an
ammeter.

Measure Voltage in parallel

Notes:
• Notice that some of the current flowing in the circuit actually flows
through the voltmeter. This current must be very small in relation to the
total circuit current I. Thus, the internal resistance of a voltmeter is very
high.
• A voltmeter measures a voltage change, which may be positive or
negative. All voltmeters are designed to give a positive reading
whenever the red probe is placed on the side of the circuit element that
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LAB 1 : MULTIMETER DENE 1113

is closest to the positive pole of the battery. Red to positive.

• Because the voltmeter is placed in parallel with the circuit element, so

the circuit do not need physically altered in order to measure voltage.

4.0 EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS (MULTISIM SIMULATION

SOFTWARE)
1. Analog / digital Multimeter
2. Power Supply Unit
3. Breadboard
4. Hand tools - wire cutter, long nose or wire stripper
5. Jumper wire
6. Resistor 1 kΩ, 1.5 kΩ, 2.2 kΩ, 5.6 kΩ.

5.0 PROCEDURE
Part A: Resistance measurement (No measurement in online version)
1. Read the color code of resistors that given to you. Record the value of
the resistor.
2. Calculate the values of resistors and fill in the Table 1.
3. By using analog multimeter, measure the resistors and record the value
by completing Table 1. Make sure that the mode selector is turned to
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ohmmeter.

Part B: Measure Current and Voltage in the Circuit

1. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 1 with (R1 = 1kΩ & R2 =
1.5kΩ).
2. Set the DC voltage at 5V.
3. Measure the voltage power supply and voltage across at each resistor
R1 and R2.
4. Record the reading in Table 2.
5. Set the DC voltage at 10V and 12V; once again follow the above
instructions no. 3 and no. 4.

R1 V
5V
R2 V

Figure 1

6. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 2 with (R3 = 1kΩ & R4 =

1.5kΩ). Set back the input DC voltage to 5 V.
7. Measure the current flowing through IR3 and IR4 and record the reading
in the Table 2.
8. Set the DC voltage at 10V and 12V; once again follow the above
instructions no. 7.

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IR3

R3

5V
IR4

R4

Figure 2

9. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 3 with (R5 = 2.2kΩ & R6 =

5.6kΩ).
10. Set the DC voltage at 5V.
11. Measure the voltage across at each resistor R5 and R6.
12. Record the reading in Table 3.
13. Set the DC voltage at 10V and 12V; once again follow the above
instructions no. 11 and no. 12.

VR5 VR6
V V
10V R5 R6

Figure 3

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14. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 4 with (R7 = 2.2kΩ & R8 =
5.6kΩ). Set back the input DC voltage to 5 V.
15. Measure the current flowing through IR7 and IR8 and record the reading
in the Table 3.
16. Set the DC voltage at 10V and 12V; once again follow the above
instructions no. 15.

IR8
IR7

10V

R7 R8

Figure 4

6.0 QUESTIONS

1. Referring to the voltage measurement in figure 3, explain why the

voltmeter needs to be connected in parallel with resistor?
2. Referring to the current measurement in figure 4, explain why the
ammeter needs to be connected in series with resistor?
3. What will happen if the ammeter is placed in parallel with the resistor
during the measurement?
4. Why the resistance of a resistor cannot be measured while it is in a
circuit?
5. What is different between analog and digital multimeter? Which of them
can give high accuracy and easy to read? Why?

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ANSWER:

Table 1 (No measurement in online version)

Resistor color code Resistor Range of Resistor Measured

Value value value,
Band Band Band Band (Ω) Max Min (Ω)
1 2 3 4 Value(Ω) Value(Ω)

Table 2

Voltage Voltage Current Current

DC Voltage across at R1 across at R2 flowing flowing
VR1 (V) VR2 (V) through through
IR3 (A) IR4 (A)

Table 3

Supply Voltage Voltage Current Current

voltage across at R5 across at R6 flowing flowing
VR5 (V) VR6 (V) through through
IR7 (A) IR8 (A)

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Short Report Content:

Cover
Title
Objective
Equipment
Results
Answer for questions
Discussion
Conclusion

Submission:

End of lab session

-Submit the lab report in given period

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