ACE 05L: Basic Electrical & Electronics Theory

Experiment One
Multimeters
Materials: Analog and Digital multimeter, Decade resistance box or individual
resistors, regulated power supply

In almost every area of electricity and electronics multimeters are used to

measure electrical quantities as current, voltage or resistance. Two common types,

differing in their display, are ANALOG (moving pointer and numerical scale) and
DIGITAL (direct display of numbers).

There are many different models of digital and analog multimeters on the market
today, but the models shown above are typical. Both meters have a multi-position
rotary switch to select function and range. Function specifies the type of
measurement you wish to make, e.g., direct current milliamperes (DCmA), AC
voltage (ACV) or resistance (). Range indicates the maximum numerical value of
the quantity to be measured; e.g., DCV 250 says that the largest voltage for this
range is 250 volts. If the voltage you wish to measure is somewhere near 300 volts,
move to the higher DCV 1000 range.

The digital display shows directly the algebraic sign, numerical value, including the
decimal point, and the units of measurement; 3.999 milliAmperes, direct current, for
the display shown. Interpreting the analog display takes a bit of practice. Along the
scale there are sets of three numbers, e.g., 6, 30 and 150 at the same scale
position, So which do we read? Notice there are seven DCV range values: for the

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0.1, 10, and 1000 range use the top set of numbers; for the 0.5 and 50 range, use
the middle set; for the 2.5 and 250 range use the bottom set. However, it is still up
to you to determine the position of the decimal point. For example, if the
needle points to the 8 / 40/ 200 mark what is the proper value? If the range switch is
set to 2.5, use the bottom set of numerals and place the decimal point to give the
answer of 2.0 . Recall that the correct reading is never greater than the range value,
so 20.0 or 200.0 are not correct, since these are greater that the range value of 2.5.
For the same pointer position, if the range switch were set at 0.1, we use the top
numeral, 8, and place the decimal point to give an answer of 0.08, less than the
range value of 0.1 .

Differences:
While both the analog and digital meters have a similar rotating Function /
Range switch, there are also a number of differences between the two meters.
A: Input Polarity The two input terminals of the analog meter, labeled +
and -COM have their polarity clearly marked. If you interchange the input, the
needle moves backwards, with possible damage to the meter. For the digital, there
are no + or – markings shown; if the V input is less that the COM, a minus sign,
“-“, appears in the display area.
B: Current Input For the analog, current, voltage and resistance are all
measured using the same pair of input terminals, + and -COM. For the digital,
voltage and resistance measurements use the V and COM terminals. For
currents less than 400 milliamperes use the mAA and COM terminals (if you
enter more than 400 milliamperes here, you’ll blow the fuse inside and will have to
pay big money!) The 10A and COM pair are used for currents up to 10 amperes.

C: Overloads If you accidentally place too large an input for a given range, the
analog needle moves off the right end of the scale with possible damage. The
digital displays the letters OL, for overload.
D: AC-DC functions For the analog, to change the function from alternating
voltage to direct, you must rotate the Function / Range switch to a new area; for the
digital you move the slide switch between the AC and DC positions.
E: Different functions Unlike the digital, the analog has no AC current
function. The digital has additional functions for measuring capacitance, inductance
and frequency.
Note #1: The terminal on the analog marked OUTPUT is really an input terminal,
used for measuring alternating voltages in terms of decibels (on the small red scale
marked dB) .
Note #2: To save battery power the digital meter automatically shuts off after a certain
number of minutes of non-usage. To restore, rotate the Function / Range dial to any new
position, or slide the POWER switch off and then back to ON.

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 Procedure:
1: Voltage measurement:
Set the analog meter to DCV 10 and the
digital to DC and V 40 and connect both meters to
an adjustable power supply. The box at left shows a
picture display and a schematic diagram of the
connection. Notice that all + terminals are connected
together (parallel connection). Vary the voltage
source, in one-volt steps, so that the analog meter
reads exactly 1.0 , 2.0, 3.0,…,10.0 , and for each
value record the digital reading. Display your results
in a neat table.

2: Current measurement:
Set the analog meter to DCmA 25 and the
digital to DC and A 40m . Connect as shown in the
diagram. Notice that the same current flows through
each circuit element (series connection), and the +
terminal of the power supply is connected to the +
terminal of the meter. Vary the power source so that
the analog meter reads exactly 1.0, 2.0, 3.0,…, 10.0
milliamperes, and record the corresponding reading
of the digital meter.

3: Resistance Measurement:
Before each resistance measurement with the
analog meter, connect the input terminals together
and adjust the Zero Ohms knob, so that the needle
points to 0 on the top -scale.

The decade resistance box has six dials, marked

100K, 10K, 1K, 100, 10, and 1. These values are
multipliers, so that the contribution of each dial to the
total resistance is the dial reading times the
multiplier. The accuracy of each dial is approximately
1%. Set the dials to read, in succession, values of
862000, 33500, 2670, 334, 72, and 8 . For each
setting, measure the resistance first with the analog,
then with the digital meter and record
measurements in a neat table; select the range
value which gives the most precision. Do not
connect both meters at the same time to the decade
resistance box.

NOTE: If a decade resistance box is not available, use a set of six resistors, one each with
resistance somewhere within the ranges of the individual decade dials.

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Data Sheet: Basic Electrical & Electronics Theory

Experiment # 1
Multimeters

Name:_CLARK DAVID F. MORITCHO Date:______

Voltage measurements:
Analog Digital Analog Digital

1.00 - 6.00 5.94

2.00 - 7.00 6.97
3.00 2.94 8.00 7.98
4.00 3.95 9.00 8.86
5.00 4.94 10.00 9.85
Current Measurements:
Analog Digital Analog Digital

1.00 - 6.00 5
2.00 - 7.00 6
3.00 2 8.00 7
4.00 3 9.00 8
5.00 4 10.00 9

Resistance measurement:
Pre-set Analog Digital
862000 86200 861000
33500 33000 33400
2670 267 2675
334 300 333.5
72 65 72.3
8 10 8.2