Multimeter
Instructions
Voltmeter
A
voltmeter
is
used
to
measure
the
voltage
drop
across
a
circuit
element
or
set
of
circuit
elements.
For
our
purposes,
we
will
just
consider
measuring
the
voltage
across
a
single
light
bulb.
The
most
important
thing
to
remember
is
that
Figure
1:
Measuring
the
voltage
the
voltmeter
should
be
connected
in
across
a
resistor.
parallel
with
the
light
bulb.
That
means
you
can
always
connect
the
voltmeter
last.
You
do
not
have
to
disconnect
any
circuit
elements
in
order
to
properly
add
a
voltmeter
to
a
circuit.
A
voltmeter
is
designed
to
have
a
very
high
resistance
so
that
it
does
not
affect
the
rest
of
the
circuit.
In
a
circuit
diagram,
a
voltmeter
is
represented
by
a
circle
with
a
“V”
inside
Figure
2:
A
multimeter
being
used
to
measure
as
shown
in
Figure
1.
a
DC
voltage.
To
use
the
multimeter
as
a
voltmeter,
put
leads
into
the
“COM”
jack
and
the
“V”
jack.
(“COM”
is
short
for
“common”.
Any
time
that
you
use
a
multimeter,
you
should
have
a
lead
in
the
“COM”
input
jack.)
Then
turn
the
knob
until
it
points
to
“VDC”
or
“VAC”
(Figure
2).
You
will
usually
be
measuring
a
DC
voltage.
Ammeter
An
ammeter
is
used
to
measure
the
current
through
a
circuit
element.
(Once
again,
we
will
consider
a
light
bulb.)
The
most
important
thing
to
remember
is
that
an
ammeter
must
be
connected
in
series
with
the
light
bulb.
This
means
that
you
must
break
the
circuit
in
order
to
add
an
ammeter.
That
is,
you
must
disconnect
a
lead
or
two
in
order
to
use
an
Figure
3:
Measuring
the
current
through
a
resistor.
ammeter
in
a
circuit.
If
you
add
an
ammeter
without
disconnecting
anything,
you
have
added
it
incorrectly.
Ammeters
are
designed
to
have
very
low
resistance.
That
means
that
connecting
an
ammeter
in
parallel
with
a
circuit
element
will
cause
a
short
circuit,
possibly
blowing
a
fuse
in
the
ammeter.
You
must
be
very
careful
with
Figure
4:
A
multimeter
ammeters.
Always
feel
free
to
ask
your
TA
for
help
if
you
are
unsure
about
the
being
used
to
measure
use
of
an
ammeter.
a
current.
Always
use
the
10A
setting
in
this
course.
In
a
circuit
diagram,
an
ammeter
is
represented
by
a
circle
with
an
“A”
in
it
as
shown
in
Figure
3.
To
use
the
multimeter
as
an
ammeter,
put
leads
into
the
“COM”
and
the
“10A”
jack.
Then
turn
the
knob
until
it
points
to
the
“10A”
setting
(Figure
4).
This
setting
can
measure
currents
up
to
10
A,
which
is
much
larger
than
any
current
you
will
encounter
in
this
class.
In
theory,
these
multimeters
can
also
be
used
to
measure
smaller
currents
more
accurately
using
the
μA
or
mA
setting.
However,
the
fuse
for
these
settings
has
almost
certainly
been
blown.
As
mentioned
previously,
it
is
easy
to
blow
a
fuse
if
you
are
not
an
ammeter
expert.
Rather
than
continually
replacing
the
fuse
for
these
setting,
we
ask
that
all
students
use
the
10A
setting
to
measure
all
currents.
Never
use
the
low-‐current
setting
in
this
course.
Ohmmeter
An
ohmmeter
is
used
to
measure
the
resistance
between
two
points.
Often
an
ohmmeter
is
used
to
find
whether
or
not
a
good
electrical
connection
exists
between
two
points.
To
use
the
multimeter
as
an
ohmmeter,
put
leads
into
the
“COM”
jack
and
the
“Ω”
jack.
Then
turn
the
dial
to
the
“Ω”
setting.
If
the
multimeter
reads
“OL”
then
there
is
no
electrical
connection
between
the
two
input
jacks.
This
might
indicate
that
a
resistor
has
Figure
5:
No
electrical
connection
between
the
input
jacks
(left)
and
a
very
good
electrical
connection
between
the
input
burned
up
or
that
a
fuse
has
blown
among
jacks
(right).
other
things.
If
there
is
a
good
electrical
connection
between
the
input
jacks,
the
multimeter
will
quantify
the
resistance
for
you
(Figure
5).
Notice
that
two
test
leads
create
a
path
with
a
very
low
resistance,
much
less
than
1
ohm.
The
ohmmeter
is
extremely
useful
as
a
troubleshooting
device.
If
you
think
a
test
lead
may
be
bad,
plug
one
end
into
each
input
jack
and
check
the
resistance.
If
you
think
a
light
bulb
is
burnt
out,
check
its
resistance.
AC
vs.
DC
Many
multimeters
can
measure
both
AC
and
DC
quantities.
The
DC
voltmeter/ammeter
is
often
a
separate
setting
from
the
AC
voltmeter/ammeter.
For
the
Extech
multimeters
that
we
use
in
lab,
the
“Mode”
button
switches
between
AC
and
DC
current
measurements.
In
the
Circuits
lab,
we
will
only
measure
DC
quantities.
In
the
Speakers
lab,
we
will
measure
AC
quantities.
In
the
other
labs,
it’s
up
to
you
to
decide!