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Multimeter
Purpose of the Experiment
To understand the basic structures of a galvanometer, ammeter, and voltmeter, and familiarize
students with the operation of a multimeter.
Experimental Principle
“Artisans must first sharpen their tools to perform well at work.” Several tools are required for exploring the
world of electricity. A multimeter is one of these tools.
A multimeter, also known as a Volt-Ohm meter (VOM) or multitester, is an instrument that combines the
functions of a galvanometer, ammeter, voltmeter, and ohmmeter. The functions provided by multimeters allow
them to be employed in various fields. Before using any multimeter application, you must familiarize yourself
with the basic device structure and functions, and before you can adeptly operate a multimeter, you must
understand the principle of the device.
Based on the principle of the D’Arsonval galvanometer, the main function of a multimeter is measuring a
circuit’s voltage, current, and resistance.
1. The Principle of a Galvanometer
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a D’Arsonval
galvanometer
Figure 2. Operational principle of a
D’Arsonval galvanometer
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a D’Arsonval galvanometer with a permanent magnet and moving coil. Fig. 2
shows the operational principle of a D’Arsonval galvanometer. The moving coil, carrying a current I, produces
a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, thereby exerting clockwise
torque L1 .The magnitude of the torque is directly proportional to I.
(1)
where k1 is the proportionality constant. Torque L1 rotates the coil, and its relationship with torque L2,
which is produced by spring torsion, attains equilibrium and can be expressed as
(2)
where θ is the angular displacement of the coil, and k2 the spring’s torsion coefficient.
Equating Formulae (1) and (2), we obtain
; therefore,
Let
(3)
The current magnitude can be determined by the angle.
2. The Principle of an Ammeter
Fig. 3 shows a DC ammeter consisting of a galvanometer connected in parallel to a low-value resistor.
Figure 3.
Ig: current passing through the
galvanometer
Is: current passing through Rs
Rg: internal resistance of the
galvanometer
I: input current
and
(4)
(5)
Modifying Rs determines the measurement range of the ammeter.
3. The Principle of a Voltmeter
Fig. 4 shows a DC voltmeter consisting of a galvanometer connected in series to a high-value resistor.
Let Vg be the highest voltage measured by the galvanometer, and V be the highest voltage to be
measured.
(6)
Figure 4.
(7)
(8)
4. The Principle of an Ohmmeter
Figure 5.
Fig. 5 shows an ohmmeter comprising a galvanometer, resistors, and a power source. High Rx (e.g., air) leads to
a small current that barely moves the indicator. For a small Rx (e.g., short circuit), Rl can be adjusted to
maximize the indicator reading. According to Ohm’s law,
(9)
and
(10)
Thus, we have
(11)
therefore,
(12)
where Rx is the test resistor, and Ig is the current passing through the galvanometer. The scale is nonlinear
because, according to Formula (12), the relationship between Ig and Rx is nonlinear.
Laboratory Instruments
Breadboard, analog multimeter, digital multimeter, power supply, resistors
Notes
1. For resistance measurements, do not apply external power because it may damage the multimeter.
2. Choose the appropriate measurement range or position, and start from the range or position with the highest
multiple.
3. To avoid damaging digital multimeters, first use an analog multimeter to measure currents. Digital
multimeters can only be used for current measurement after the assistant confirms that the multimeter is
properly connected in series to the circuit.
4. After measurement using the analog multimeter, ensure the measurement range is switched to OFF instead of
a resistance range.
Experimental Procedure
A. Analog Multimeter
1. Consult the appendix and record the resistance readings of 5 resistors.
2. Calibrate the analog multimeter.
a. Zero calibration: move the zero position adjuster to align the indicator with the line on the far left.
b. Range or position selector: select the appropriate measurement ranges or positions based on the
circumstances, and switch to OFF after measurement.
c. Connection of test leads: connect the red and black test leads to the (+) and (-) terminals, respectively.
3. Use the multimeter to measure the resistance value. (Note: Perform the zero calibration procedure
before every resistance measurement.)
4. Compare the resistance values obtained from Steps 1 and 3.
5. Use the multimeter to determine whether a short circuit or an open circuit occur in the breadboard.
Complete the circuit distribution on the breadboard.
6. Install the resistors used in Step 1 on the breadboard following the circuit shown in Fig. (6).
Figure 6.
7. Use the multimeter to measure the values of RAC, RBD, RCD, and RAD, and verify whether the measured
values correspond to the results of the series and parallel circuit formulae.
8. Connect terminals A and D to the positive and negative terminals of the power supply, respectively.
9. Use the multimeter to measure VAB, VBC, VCE, VED, VCD, and VAD.
10. Interpret the values obtained from Step 9.
11. Use the multimeter to measure the current passing through
.
12. Verify Ohm’s law using the results obtained from Steps 7, 9, 10.
13. Measurement of AC voltages
a. Select an appropriate ACV position (1000 V).
b. Insert the test leads into the electrical sockets on the experiment table. Record the
AC voltage readings.
B. Digital Multimeter
Repeat Steps A3 to A13 using a digital multimeter.
Questions for Reflection
1. Connect the test leads to reversed terminals. How does the measurement of voltage and current differ?
2. What types of measurement can the analog multimeter perform without batteries?
3. Consider an unknown resistor R (
), and attempt to solve the following questions using a
voltmeter (
), ammeter (
), and a voltage source
(
):
a. Draw two circuits that use both a voltmeter and ammeter to measure R.
b. Discuss or infer the difference or error between the R measurements of the
two circuits.
c. If R is a low-value resistor, which of the two circuits in 3a can provide a
more accurate measurement? Explain why.
4. Why is the measured voltage a constant when a multimeter is used to measure the AC voltage from the socket,
which should be a sine wave at a frequency of 60 Hz.
5. Assume you only have access to a DC ammeter with a full-scale reading of 100 mA, how would you measure
a DC voltage of 1000 V using the ammeter and several additional resistors?
Appendix
A. Resistor value color codes
Color codes denote numbers for resistors. These codes are defined below.
Color
1st band
2nd band
3rd band
1st digit
2nd digit
Multiplier
4th band
Tolerance
0
0
100
--
Brown 1
1
101
1%
2
2
102
2%
Orange 3
3
103
--
Yellow 4
4
104
--
Green
5
5
105
0.5%※
Blue
6
6
106
--
Violet 7
7
107
--
Gray
8
8
108
--
White
9
9
109
--
Gold
--
--
10-1
5%
Silver
--
--
10-2
10%
None
--
--
--
20%
Black
Red
※Used on specific occasions
【Example 1】Determine the resistance value of the resistor shown in Fig.
(1).
Figure (1).
R = (24×101) (Ohms) = 240 (Ohms) +/-10%
【Example 2】Determine the resistance value of the resistor shown in Fig. (2).
R = (909×102) (Ohms) = 9.09×104 (Ohms) +/-1%
Figure (2).
B. Surface-mount resister readings:
102 => 10×102=100(Ω)