What is a Digital Multimeter?

A Digital multimeter or DMM is a test equipment used for resistance, voltage, current measurement and other
electrical parameters as per requirement and displaying the results in the mathematical digits form on an LCD
or LED readout. It is a type of multimeter which functions digitally. Digital multimeters are widely accepted
worldwide as they have better accuracy levels and ranging from simple 3 ½ to 4 ½ digit handheld DMM to very
special system DMM.

Features of Digital Multimeter

Digital multimeter is most advanced instruments that make use of modern Integrated circuits for making
electrical measurements. Some of its features which make it famous in the eyes of professional technicians
are:

1. It is light in weight.
2. Capable of giving more accurate readings.
3. It measures lots of physical quantities like voltage, current, resistance, frequency etc.
4. It is less costly.
5. It measures different electrical parameters at high frequencies with the help of special probes.

Block diagram of Digital multimeter

In digital multimeter, we can incorporate many types of meters like ohmmeter, ammeter, a voltmeter for the
measurement of electrical parameters. Its block diagram is shown below in the figure. Let us have a look at its
working and specification one by one.

(i) Digital voltmeter (DVM):

Digital voltmeter is the basic instrument used for measurement of voltage through the use of Analog to Digital
converter. The basic principle behind the digital multimeters is the Analog to digital converter because without
this we are not able to convert the analog output into digital form. There are several ADC available in the
market, but we mainly use Flash type ADC due to its simplicity and fastest speed. Let’s have a look at its basic
operation.
(a) Flash AD converter: It comprises of comparators, encoder, and digital display. Comparators are driven by
resistor divider network, the encoder converts its inputs to corresponding outputs which drive the digital
display.

As shown above, three resistors of value R drives the comparators C1, C2, C3. Let the input voltage Vi = 1v,
+V= 4V and comparators i.e. C1 , C2, C3 voltages equal to 1V, 2V and 3V respectively. If the output of the C1
= +1 and C2=C3= 0, then we fed 001 as the input to the encoder which further converts it into 0001. This
binary output drives the seven segment display to read 1V on it. With the help of this method, we read the
voltages of magnitude 1V, 2V, 3V and we also add more comparators for more accurate readings as per our
requirement.
(ii) Digital Ammeter (DAM):
Digital ammeter uses a shunt resistor to produce a calibrated voltage proportional to the current flowing. As
shown in the diagram, to read the current we must first convert the current to be measured into a voltage by
using a known resistance RK. The voltage so developed is calibrated to read the input current.

(iii) Digital ohm meter (DOM):

A digital ohmmeter is used to measure electrical resistance which obstructs the path to the flow of current.
As shown in the diagram, resistance network comprising a known resistance RK and unknown resistance Ru
used to develop a voltage across the unknown resistance. The voltage is given by:

V = VB Ru / RK + Ru

where VB = Voltage of the built-in battery

After calibrating voltage, the meter can be calibrated in terms of ohms.

Working Principle of Digital Multimeter

Digital Multimeter symbols:

Some common Digital multimeter symbols and its description are given in the table below. These symbols are
often found on the multimeter & its schematics are designed to symbolize components and reference values of
Some common Digital multimeter symbols and its description are given in the table below. These symbols are
often found on the multimeter & its schematics are designed to symbolize components and reference values of
electrical parameters

Symbol Measurement function Description

~ AC voltage Measures amount of Ac voltage

DC voltage Measures amount of Dc voltage

Hz Hertz Measures Frequency

Measurement of resistance to the flow of

Ω ohms electron

Device used to control direction of flow of

Diode current

µF Microfarad Unit of capacitor

Capacitor Device used to store electrical charge

Audible indication of continuity for low

Continuity resistance

A Ampere Measures amount of electron flow

Ground Used for grounding the device

European union
CE directive It indicates the guarantee of instrument

Refers to the instruction before use and

indicates that its misuse results in equipment
Caution failure

REL Measures relative or offset reading

Measures relative or It shows highest and lowest recorded

Min/max offset reading readings

DMM Parts and functions

A Digital Multimeter is divided into three parts:
 (i) Display: The LCD screen present on the upper portion of the multimeter basically displays four or more
digits and also shows negative value if necessary. A few or today’s multimeters have illuminated the display
for better viewing in low light situations.
(ii) Selection Dial: It allows the user to set the multimeter to read different electrical parameter such as
milliamps (mA) of current, voltage, resistance, capacitance etc. You can easily turn the dial anywhere for
specific parameter measurement.
(iii) Ports: Two ports are available on the front of every multimeter except in some four ports are available for
measuring current in mA or A. We plugged two probes into these ports which are of different colour i.e. one is
of red colour and other is of black color.Ports are:
(a) COM: It stands for common and is almost connected to ground or considered as a -ve connection of a
circuit. We generally insert the black color probe into COM port.
(b) mAVΩ: This port allows the measurement of current (up to 200 mA), voltage and resistance or considered
as a +ve connection of a circuit. We generally insert the red color probe into mAVΩ port.
DMM leads:

In the box of a digital multimeter, we got leads of different colors. Here we are going to explain these leads in
detail. DMM leads are subdivided into four parts:
(i) Red lead
1. Connected to voltage, resistance or ampere port.
2. Considered as a +ve connection of a circuit
(ii) Black lead
1. Connected to the common or ground port
2. Considered as a -ve connection of a circuit
(iii) Probes:
These are the handles used to hold the tip on the tested connection. There are different types of probes
available, they are:
• Banana to Alligator Clips: These are great cables for connecting to large wires or pins on a
breadboard. Good for performing longer term tests where you don’t have to hold the probes in place while you
manipulate a circuit.
• Banana to IC Hook: IC hooks work well on smaller ICs and legs of ICs.
• Banana to Tweezers: Tweezers are handy if you need to test SMD components.
• Banana to Test Probes: If you ever break a probe, they are cheap to replace.
(iv) Tip:
These are present at the end of the probes and basically, provide a connection point.
DMM Safety Precaution:
Before operating multimeters, we have to follow some safety precautions. Here we are going to explain you
some safety information of DMM.
1. If the DMM test leads are damaged then never use the meter.
2. Always ensures that the test leads and dial are in right position for the desired measurement.
3. When a test lead is plugged into the 10 A or 300mA input jack then never touch the probes to a voltage
source.
4. When power is applied never measure resistance in a circuit.
5. While making measurements always keep your fingers behind the finger guards on the test probes.
6. To avoid damage or injury, never use the meter on circuits that exceed 4800 watts.
7. Replace the battery as soon as possible to avoid false readings which could lead to possible electric
shock or personal injury.
8. Be careful when working with voltages above 60 V DC or 30 V AC RMS. Such voltages pose a shock
hazard.