Electrical Instrument and Measurements

Galvanometer
A galvanometer is a type of sensitive ammeter: an instrument for
detecting electric current. It is an analog electromechanical actuator that
produces a rotary deflection of some type of pointer in response to electric
current through its coil in a magnetic field.

Ammeter
An ammeter is a measuring instrument used to measure the electric
current in acircuit. Electric currents are measured in amperes (A), hence
the name. Instruments used to measure smaller currents, in the
milliampere or microampere range, are designated
as milliammeters or microammeters. Early ammeters were laboratory
instruments which relied on the Earth's magnetic field for operation. By the
late 19th century, improved instruments were designed which could be
mounted in any position and allowed accurate measurements in electric
power systems.
Voltmeter
A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring electrical
potential difference between two points in an electric circuit. Analog
voltmeters move a pointer across a scale in proportion to the voltage of the
circuit; digital voltmeters give a numerical display of voltage by use of
an analog to digital converter.
A digital voltmeter (DVM) measures an unknown input voltage by
converting the voltage to a digital value and then displays the voltage in
numeric form. DVMs are usually designed around a special type of analog-
to-digital converter called anintegrating converter.

Ohmmeter
An ohmmeter is an electrical instrument that measures electrical
resistance, the opposition to an electric current. Micro-ohmmeters
(microhmmeter or microohmmeter) make low resistance measurements.
Megaohmmeters (aka megaohmmeter or in the case of a trademarked
device Megger) measure large values of resistance. The unit of
measurement for resistance is ohms (Ω).
Multimeter
A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter or
Volt-Ohm-milliammeter ), is an electronic measuring instrument that
combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter
would include basic features such as the ability to
measure voltage, current, and resistance. Analog multimeters use
a microammeter whose pointer moves over a scale calibrated for all the
different measurements that can be made. Digital multimeters (DMM,
DVOM) display the measured value in numerals, and may also display a
bar of a length proportional to the quantity being measured. Digital
multimeters are now far more common but analog multimeters are still
preferable in some cases, for example when monitoring a rapidly varying
value

Wattmeter
The wattmeter is an instrument for measuring the electric power (or the
supply rate of electrical energy) in watts of any given circuit.
Electromagnetic wattmeters are used for measurement of utility
frequency and audio frequency power; other types are required for radio
frequency measurements
Current transformer
A current transformer (CT) is used for measurement of alternating
electric currents. Current transformers, together with voltage (or potential)
transformers (VT or PT), are known as instrument transformers. When
current in a circuit is too high to apply directly to measuring instruments, a
current transformer produces a reduced current accurately proportional to
the current in the circuit, which can be conveniently connected to
measuring and recording instruments. A current transformer isolates the
measuring instruments from what may be very high voltage in the
monitored circuit. Current transformers are commonly used in metering
and protective relays in the electrical power industry

Instrument transformer
Instrument transformers are high accuracy class electrical devices used
to isolate or transform voltage or current levels. The most common usage
of instrument transformers is to operate instruments or metering from high
voltage or high current circuits, safely isolating secondary control circuitry
from the high voltages or currents. The primary winding of the transformer
is connected to the high voltage or high current circuit, and the meter or
relay is connected to the secondary circuit.
Instrument transformers may also be used as an isolation transformer so
that secondary quantities may be used in phase shifting without affecting
other primary connected device

Clamp meter
A clamp meter measures the vector sum of the currents flowing in all the
conductors passing through the probe, which depends on
the phase relationship of the currents. Only one conductor is normally
passed through the probe. In particular if the clamp is closed around a two-
conductor cable carrying power to equipment, the same current flows
down one conductor and up the other; the meter correctly reads a net
current of zero. As electrical cables for equipment have both insulated
conductors (and possibly an earth wire) bonded together, clamp meters
are often used with what is essentially a short extension cord with the two
conductors separated, so that the clamp can be placed around only one
conductor of this extension
Megohmmeter
Megohmmeter (sometimes referred to as a megger) is a special type
of ohmmeterused to measure the electrical resistance of insulators.
Insulating components, for example cable jackets, must be tested for their
insulation strength at the time of commissioning and as part of
maintenance of high voltage electrical equipment and installations. For this
purpose megohmmeters, which can provide high DC voltages (typically in
ranges from 500V to 2kV) at specified current capacity, are used.
Acceptable insulator resistance values are typically 1 to 10 megohms,
depending on the standards referenced.

Electricity meter
An electricity meter, electric meter, or energy meter is a device that
measures the amount of electric energy consumed by
a residence, business, or an electrically powered device.
Electric utilities use electric meters installed at customers premises to
measure electric energy delivered to their customers for billing purposes.
They are typically calibrated in billing units, the most common one being
the kilowatt hour [kWh]. They are usually read once each billing period.
When energy savings during certain periods are desired, some meters
may measure demand, the maximum use of power in some interval. "Time
of day" metering allows electric rates to be changed during a day, to record
usage during peak high-cost periods and off-peak, lower-cost, periods.
Also, in some areas meters have relays for demand response load
shedding during peak load periods
Test light
A test light, test lamp, voltage tester, or mains tester is a simple piece
ofelectronic test equipment used to determine the presence or absence of
an electricvoltage in a piece of equipment under test.
Common Electrical Tools
1. Fish Tape
A fish tape is used to pull stranded or solid wire through metal or PVC
conduit. Cable lube is available to assist you in pulling the wires through the
pipe.

2. Tape Measure
A tape measure is use to measure heights for switches and outlets. You will
also need it to center lighting fixture boxes.

4. Hammer
A hammer is used to secure boxes equipped with nail-on brackets to studs in
a home. You’ll also need it to drive Romex straps when adding new Romex
wiring in a home
5. Channel Lock Pliers
Channel lock pliers are used to take knockouts out of the boxes, tighten
down Romex connectors in the boxes, and adjust expansion-type ceiling-fan
boxes.

6. Wire Strippers
Wire strippers are used to cut the insulation off of the wire. They are
equipped with different sized cutting teeth for various sized wires. They also
have a cutoff portion in order to cut the wire.

7. Non-contact Voltage Detector

A voltage detector is used for a quick safety check to see if there is voltage
or current flow present. Some of these devices are automatic and some must
be turned on via a switch. Simply place the end of the tracer beside a wire,
breaker or cord to see if it’s energized.
8. Side Cutter Diagonal Pliers
These cutting pliers, sometimes called side snips, are used to cut wire. They
are specially designed with a cutting edge that goes down to the tip of the
pliers. The advantage being that you can get into tight areas to trim wires.
There are some that are equipped with live wire detection capabilities.

9. Linesman Pliers
These pliers are the do-it-all pliers. They cut, twist wires together, and grip
wires for pulling. They have a squared off end that is great for twisting wires
together, a center cutting blade for cutting wire, and a grip area between the
handles to pull wire.

10. Torpedo Level

A level is used to make sure your work is level and plumb. A great
installation starts with straight switch and outlet covers.
11. Phillips Screwdriver
A Phillips screwdriver has four blades used to install Phillips-head screws.
The tip looks like a plus sign.
12. Straight-Blade Screwdriver
This screwdriver is used for straight slot screws. You will likely need more
than one size for your project. If you have to choose just one, pick a
medium blade. It will suit most projects.

13. Wire Crimpers

This tool strips the wire and also crimps lugs onto the wire.