Electrical Measuring Instruments

(Voltmeter, Ammeter, and Ohmmeter)

Batangas State University
College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts
Department of Electrical Engineering
Electrical Circuits 1
EE 301
Macatangay, Angelo B.
14-55730
EE- 3104

Abstract- The measurement of current, voltage, and

power is required to study the behavior of electrical
equipment or an electric circuit under certain load
conditions.

that device. This is necessary because objects in

parallel experience the same potential difference.
Voltmeter in Parallel

Keywords: Potential difference; Voltage; Ampere;

EMF; Resistance; DC(Direct Current); DMM(Direct
Multimeter)

I.

INTRODUCTION

In the field of electrical engineering, study

of electric circuits is so pervasive. As engineers, it is
crucial that we know how to analyze systems
containing several electric components. It is
important to note that the experimental analysis of
electric circuits requires the fabrication and
measurement of several parameters (e.g., voltage,
current, resistance). For this research, the students
were introduced to some of the basic and electrical
measuring instruments, the voltmeter, the ammeter
and the ohmmeter.
II.

THE VOLTMETER

A voltmeter is an instrument that measures

the difference in electrical potential between two
points in an electric circuit. An analog voltmeter
moves a pointer across a scale in proportion to the
circuit's voltage; a digital voltmeter provides a
numerical display. Any measurement that can be
converted to voltage can be displayed on a meter that
is properly calibrated; such measurements include
pressure, temperature, and flow.
In order for a voltmeter to measure a
device's voltage, it must be connected in parallel to

(a) To measure the potential difference in

this series circuit, the voltmeter (V) is placed in
parallel with the voltage source or either of the
resistors. Note that terminal voltage is measured
between points a and b. It is not possible to connect
the voltmeter directly across the EMF without
including its internal resistance, r.
(b) A digital voltmeter in use
III.

THE AMMETER

An ammeter measures the electric current in

a circuit. The name is derived from the name for the
SI unit for electric current, amperes (A).
In order for an ammeter to measure a
device's current, it must be connected in series to that

device . This is necessary because objects in series

experience the same current. They must not be
connected to a voltage source -- ammeters are
designed to work under a minimal burden, (which
refers to the voltage drop across the ammeter,
typically a small fraction of a volt).

diodes. This meter has multi selectors to select the

desired function, and it automatically ranges to select
most measurements. Mega Ohmmeter is used to
measure large resistance values. Milli Ohmmeter is
used to measure low resistance at high accuracy
confirming the value of any electrical circuit.
An Ohmmeter consists of a DC ammeter
and few added characteristics:
A DC source of potential (generally a 3V
battery)
One or more resistors (one of which is
variable)

V.

Ammeter in Series
An ammeter (A) is placed in series to
measure current. All of the current in this circuit
flows through the meter. The ammeter would have
the same reading if located between points d and e or
between points f and a, as it does in the position
shown. (Note that the script capital E stands for EMF,
and r stands for the internal resistance of the source
of potential difference.
IV.

CHARACTERISTICS
OF METERS

The table below summarizes the important

characteristics of meters and how to connect them so
that the meter has a minimal effect on the circuit. The
resistor in the table could be any circuit element
with resistance, such as an actual resistor, a light
bulb, a motor, a diode, etc. The DMM can be used as
an ammeter, voltmeter, or ohmmeter. It is important
to understand that Ammeters have very small
resistance, and Voltmeters have very large resistance.
Ohmmeters basically are voltmeters that use a known
voltage from a battery inside the meter, and therefore
should not be used when other voltages are present.

THE OHMMETER

Ohmmeter is a device used to measure

electrical resistance of a circuit element. Electrical
resistance is a measure of how much an object
opposes allowing an electrical current to pass through
it. Ohmmeters come with different levels of
sensitivity. Some Ohmmeters are designed to
measure low-resistance materials, and some are used
for measuring high-resistance materials.
Micro Ohmmeter, Mega Ohmmeter and
Milli- Ohmmeters are used to measure resistance in
different applications of electrical testing. A Micro
Ohmmeter is used to measure extremely low
resistances with high accuracy at particular test
currents and is used for bonding contact applications.
Micro Ohmmeter fluke is a small portable device,
which is used to measure voltage, current and test

VI.

METHODOLOGY

All the data stated in this paper are gathered

by researching. The information included in the paper

was gathered from internet. The internet is widely

known for almost everything that makes it the most
used medium of researcher in their study.
VI.
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATION
The paper has presented the different type of
electrical measuring equipment. While testing,
repairing or troubleshooting electrical or electronic
equipment, you use different meters and different
types of test equipment to test proper circuit currents,
resistances, voltages and to decide whether the wiring
is faulty. Without knowing the operation of one of

those instruments, it is not possible to connect it to a

circuit to test the component. There are also many
other devices that have not stated in this research
paper that has their very own application in the real
world.

REFERENCES
[1]https://www.boundless.com/physics/textb
ooks/boundless-physics-textbook/circuits-and-directcurrents-20/voltmeters-and-ammeters153/voltmeters-and-ammeters-542-11287/
[2] https://www.edgefx.in/ohmmeter-circuitand-types-of-ohmmeters/