The Basics of

Digital Multimeters

D
Tips on choosing and using a DMM, a must-have tool for almost all engineers.
igital multimeters (DMM), once called voltme- inch (or one millimeter). A thermometer that measures only
ters, have been described as the tape measure in whole degrees isn’t much use when your normal tempera-
for engineers in the new millennium. With elec- ture is 98.6 °F. You need a thermometer with one-tenth-degree
tronics and electrical circuits included in almost resolution.
every consumer and industrial product, DMMs are a must Accuracy is the largest allowable error under specific op-
for designing, testing, and troubleshooting. Here’s a look at erating conditions. In other words, it is an indication of how
the features and capabilities of DMMs, as well as how to use close the DMM’s measurement is to the actual value of the
them safely. signal. Accuracy for DMMs is usually expressed as a percent
of the reading. An accuracy of one percent of reading means
DMM BASICS that for a displayed reading of 100 V, the actual value of the
DMMs are tools for measuring volts (V), ohms (Ω), and voltage could be anywhere between 99 V and 101 V.
amperes (A). Most DMMs have other features and character- Digital and analog displays: For high accuracy and resolu-
istics, but measuring those three variables are the foundation tion, digital display show three or more digits for each mea-
for all electrical measurements. You should also know the dif-
(V) Voltage
ferent ways DMMs display their measurements.
Resolution, for instance, refers to how fine a DMM’s mea-
surement is. By knowing the meter’s resolution, you can de-
termine if it is possible for it to see a small change in the mea-
sured signal. For example, if the DMM has a resolution of 1 (A) Current
mV on the 4 V range, it can see a change of 1 mV (1/1,000 of
a volt) while reading a 1 V signal.
You wouldn’t buy a ruler marked in one-inch (or one-cen-
timeter) segments if you had to measure down to a quarter
() Resistance

(V)
Voltage V=Ax ▲
Where:
(A) () V = Volts
Curr ent R esistance A = Current in Amps
Ω = Resistance in Ohms

Ohm’s Law explains the relationship between voltage,

current and resistance.
Put your finger over the value you want to find. Multiply
the remaining values if side-by-side; divide if one is over
the other. But it really is much easier just to use your DMM.

Voltmeters are based on Ohm’s Law that relates voltage (V), amper-
age (i), and resistance (R), V=i x R.

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surement. The analog needle display is less accurate and has value is the effective or equivalent dc value of an ac voltage.
lower effective resolution because you have to estimate val- Some basic DMMs are “average responding,” giving accu-
ues between the lines. A bar graph shows signal changes and rate rms readings if the ac voltage signal is a pure sine wave.
trends just like an analog needle, but is more durable and less Average responding meters cannot accurately measure non-
prone to damage. sinusoidal signals. Non-sinusoidal signals are accurately mea-
Analog meter specifications are determined by the error at sured using DMMs designated “true-rms” up to the DMM’s
full scale, not at the displayed reading. Typical accuracy for an specified crest factor. A crest factor is the ratio of a signal’s
analog meter is ± 2 % or ± 3 % of full scale. At one-tenth of peak-to-rms value. It’s 1.414 for a pure sine wave, but is often
full scale, these become 20 % or 30% of reading. Typical basic much higher for a rectifier current pulse, for example. As a
accuracy for a DMM is between ± (0.7 %) and ± (0.1 %) of result, average responding meters will often read much lower
reading, or better. than the actual rms value. But most meters are true rms these
Saving and sharing results: As equipment has become more days.
complex and more powerful, so have the DMMs. Wireless A DMM’s ability to measure ac voltage can be limited by
test tools can send results to each other and to smartphones, the signal’s frequency. Most DMMs accurately measure ac
where you can share data, images, and notes with colleagues. voltages with frequencies from 50 to 500 Hz, but a DMM’s ac
Wireless DMMs, other related test tools, and smartphone apps measurement bandwidth can be hundreds of kilohertz wide.
(such as Fluke Connect) let engineers make the best decisions Such a meter reads a higher value because it “sees” more of
faster than ever before, saving time and increasing your pro- complex ac signals. DMM accuracy specifications for ac volt-
ductivity. age and ac current should give a frequency range along with
the range’s accuracy.
MEASURING DC AND AC VOLTAGE How to make voltage measurements
One basic task of a DMM is measuring voltage. A typical dc Taking a voltage measurement is simple:
voltage source is a battery, such as the ones used in cars. AC 1. Select V.
voltage is usually created by a generator. The wall outlets in 2. Plug the black test probe into the COM input jack. Plug the
your home are common sources of ac voltage. Some devices red test probe into the V input jack.
convert ac to dc. For example, electronic equipment such as 3. If the DMM only has manual ranging, select the highest
TVs, stereos, VCRs, and computers you plug into an ac wall range so as not to overload the input.
outlet use devices called rectifiers to convert ac voltage into a 4. Touch the probe tips to the circuit across a load or power
dc voltage. This dc voltage is what powers electronic circuits source (in parallel to the circuit).
in these devices. 5. View the reading, being sure to note the unit of measure-
Testing for proper supply voltage is usually the first step ment.
when troubleshoot- Be careful. For dc voltage readings of the correct polarity,
ing a circuit. If there touch the black probe to the negative side or circuit ground,
is no voltage present, and the red probe to the positive side of the circuit. If this gets
or if it is too high or reversed, a DMM with autopolarity will merely display a mi-
too low, the voltage nus sign indicating negative polarity. With an analog meter,
problem should be however, you risk damaging the meter.
corrected before in-
vestigating further.
The waveforms
associated with ac
voltages are either
sinusoidal (sine
waves), or non-si-
nusoidal (sawtooth,
square, and ripple,
for example.). True-
rms DMMs display High-voltage probes, such as this one, extend a DMM’s voltage mea-
the “rms” (root surement range. Users should be aware that these probes are not
mean square) val- Voltage signals can have a variety of intended for electric utility applications in which high voltages are
ue of these voltage shapes. Here are three (top to bottom): dc, also accompanies by high energies. Instead, they are intended for
waveforms. The rms ac sine wave, and non-sinusoidal AC. low-energy applications.

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RESISTANCE, CONTINUITY, AND DIODES
MAXMINAVG
n FC

Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). Resistance values can 0

mVA
DCAC
Mk
kHz
Auto Range Manual Range 610000mV

vary greatly, from a few milliohms (mΩ) for contact resistance

to billions of ohms for insulators. Most DMMs measure down
to 0.1 Ω and some measure as high as 300 MΩ. (300,000,000
1000
ohms). Infinite resistances (open circuits) are read as “OL” on
many meter displays and means the resistance exceeds the
meter measuring capability.
Resistance measurements must be made with the circuit
power off; otherwise, the meter or circuit could be damaged.
Some DMMs provide protection in the ohms mode in case of
accidental contact with voltages. The level of protection varies
greatly among different DMMs.
For accurate, low-resistance measurements, resistance in
the test leads must be subtracted from the total resistance
measured. Typical test lead resistance falls between 0.2 Ω and
0.5 Ω. If test-lead resistance exceeds 1 Ω, they should be re- When measuring resistance in a circuit that includes a diode, DMM
placed. test voltages are kept below 0.6 V so the semiconductor junctions do
If the DMM supplies less than 0.6 V dc test voltage for mea- not conduct current.
suring resistance, it will be able to measure the values of resis-
tors that are isolated in a circuit by diodes or semiconductor
junctions. This often allows lets users test resistors on circuit
VOM VOM DMM
boards without unsoldering them.
How to measure resistances: Range R×1 R×100 Diode Test

1. Turn off power to the circuit. Junction 35 mA to 0.5 mA to 0.5 mA to 1 mA

2. Select resistance (Ω). Current 50 mA 1.5 mA

3. Plug the black test probe into the COM input jack. Plug the Germanium 8 Ω to 19 Ω 200 Ω to 300 0.225 V to
red test probe into the Ω input jack. 0.225 V
4. Connect the probe tips across the component or portion of Silicone 8 Ω to 16 Ω 450 Ω to 800 Ω 0.4 V to 0.6 V
the circuit for which you want to determine resistance.
5. View the reading, being sure to note the unit of measure- DC AND AC CURRENT
ment—ohms (Ω), kilohms (kΩ), or megohms (MΩ). Current measurements differ from other DMM measure-
Continuity is a quick go/no-go resistance test that distin- ments. Current measurements taken with a DMM using test
guishes between open and closed circuits. A DMM with a leads (not using a current clamp–more on that later) require
continuity beeper lets users do many continuity tests easily placing the meter in series with the circuit being measured.
and quickly. The meter beeps when it detects a closed circuit, This means opening the circuit and letting the DMM test leads
so there’s no need to look at the meter while testing. The re- complete the circuit. This way all circuit current flows through
sistance required to trigger the beeper varies from model to the DMM.
model of DMM. How to make current measurements
Diodes are like electronic switches and will turn on if the 1. Turn off power to the circuit.
voltage exceeds a certain level—generally about 0.6 V for a 2. Cut or unsolder the circuit, creating a place where the meter
silicon diode—and when switched on, lets current to flow in probes can be inserted.
only one direction. 3. Select A (ac) or A (dc) as desired.
Many DMMs have a diode test mode. This mode measures 4. Plug the black test probe into the COM input jack. Plug the
and displays the actual voltage drop across a junction. A sili- red test probe into the amp or milliamp input jack, depending
con junction should have a voltage drop less than 0.7 V when on the reading’s expected value.
applied in the forward direction and an open circuit in the 5. Connect the probe tips to the circuit across the break so that
reverse direction. Be cautious when using an analog volt-ohm all current will flow through the DMM (a series connection).
meter to test diode or transistor junction. These meters can 6. Turn the circuit power back on.
drive currents up to 50 mA through the junction, potentially 7. View the reading, being sure to note the unit of measure-
damaging the unit under test. ment. If the test leads are reversed for a dc measurement, a “–”
will show in the display.

3 MVIKAS.IN
 Input protection. A common mistake is to leave the test rating approved for where the measurement is to be made.
leads plugged into the current input jacks and then try to For instance, if a voltage measurement needs to be made in
measure voltage. This causes a direct short across the source an electrical panel with 480 V, then a meter rated Category
voltage through a low-value resistor (aka current shunt) in- III 600 V or 1,000 V should be used. This means the input
side the DMM. A high current flow through the DMM, and if circuitry of the meter will withstand voltage transient’s
the meter is not adequately protected, the current can damage com- monly found in this environment without harming the
both the DMM and circuit, and possibly injure the user. Fault user. Choosing a meter with this rating which also has a UL,
currents can be extremely high if industrial high-voltage (240 CSA, VDE, or TUV certification means the meter not only
V or higher) circuits are involved. meets IEC standards, but has been independently tested to
DMMs should therefore have current-input fuse protection show it meets those standards.
of high enough capacity for the circuit being measured. Me- But how can someone know if they have a genuine CAT III
ters without this fuse protection should not be used on high- or CAT II meter? It’s not always easy. It is possible for man-
energy (> 240 V ac) circuits. DMMs that use fuses should have ufacturers to self-certify their meters as CAT II or CAT III
a fuse with enough capacity to clear high-energy faults. The without independent verification. Beware of wording such as
voltage rating of the meter’s fuses should exceed the maxi- “Designed to meet specifications...” Designer’s plans are never
mum voltage a user expects to measure. a substitute for actual independent testing. The IEC develops
For example, a 20 A, 250 V fuse may not be able to clear a and proposes standards, but it is not responsible for enforcing
fault inside the meter when the meter is across a 480 V cir- the standards.
cuit. It would take a 20 A, 600 V fuse to clear the fault on that Look for the symbol and listing number of an independent
circuit. testing lab such as CE, CSA, RCM, or other recognized ap-
There are two basic types of protection circuits, those with proval agency. That symbol can only be used if the DMM suc-
automatic recovery and those without it. Some meters have cessfully completed testing to the agency’s standard, which is
circuitry that detects overloads and protects the meter until based on national/international standards. UL 61010, for ex-
the condition no longer exists. After the overload is removed, ample, is based on IEC 61010. In an imperfect world, that is
the DMM returns itself to normal operation. This is usually the closest you can come to ensuring the multimeter was actu-
used to protect the ohms function from voltage overloads. ally tested for safety.
Other meters detect overloads and protect the meter, but will Keep away from dangerous panels. Your DMM can also
not recover until the operator performs an operation on the protect you be keeping you away from hazardous situations.
meter, such as replacing a fuse. DMMs that communicate wirelessly with personal comput-
Current probe accessories. Sometimes users must mea- ers, smartphones, and other wireless test tools can be placed
sure currents that exceed the DMM’s rating, or else they find safely inside electrical panels with the power shut off. When
themselves in situations that do not let them open the circuit the panel is closed and reenergized, measurements can be
to measure the current. In these higher current applications made remotely, saved, and shared, all without putting yourself
(typically over 2 A) where high accuracy is not needed, a cur- in front of a live electrical panel.
rent probe can be useful. A current probe clamps around the Measurement categories. A critically important concept
conductor carrying the current and converts the measured to understand about electrical safety is the measurement cat-
value to a level the meter can handle. egory, mentioned briefly above. Standards define Categories 0
Current probes (which are actually current transformers) through IV, often abbreviated as CAT 0, CAT II, etc. The divi-
measure ac current only. The output of a current transformer sion of a power distribution system into categories is based
is typically 1 milliamp per amp. So a 100 amp value becomes on the fact that a dangerous high-energy transient such as a
100 milliamps, which can be safely measured by most DMMs. lightning strike will be attenuated or dampened as it travels
Probe leads are connected to the “mA” and “COM” input through the impedance (ac resistance) of the system. A higher
jacks, and the meter function switch is set to mA ac. CAT number refers to an electrical environment with higher
power available and higher energy transients. Thus a multime-
MULTIMETER SAFETY ter designed to a CAT III standard is resistant to much higher
Making measurements safely starts with choosing the energy transients than one designed to CAT II standards.
proper meter for the task as well as the environment in which Within a category, a higher voltage rating denotes a higher
the meter will be used. Users should read and follow the user transient withstand rating—e.g., a CAT III 1,000 V meter has
manual before use, paying particular attention to WARNING superior protection compared to a CAT III 600 V rated meter.
and CAUTION sections. The real misunderstanding occurs if someone selects a CAT II
Make sure you use a meter that meets the International 1,000 V rated meter.
Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) category and voltage Safety checklist

4 MVIKAS.IN
 ✓ Use a meter that meets accepted safety standards
for the environment in which it will be used.
✓ Use a meter with fused current inputs and be sure
to check the fuses before making current
measurements.
✓ Inspect test leads for physical damage before
making a measurement.
✓ Use the meter to check continuity of the test leads.
✓ Use only test leads that have shrouded connectors
and finger guards.
✓ Use only meters with recessed input jacks.
✓ Select the proper function and range for your
measurement.
✓ Be certain the meter is in good operating condition.
✓ Follow all equipment safety procedures.
✓ Always disconnect the “hot” (red) test lead first.
✓ Don’t work alone.
✓ Use a meter that has overload protection on the
ohms function.
✓ When measuring current without a current clamp,
turn the power off before connecting into the circuit.
✓ Be aware of high-current and high-voltage situa-
tions and use the appropriate equipment, such as high-voltage
probes and high-current clamps.
Special features
The following special features and functions may make it eas-
ier to use your DMM.
• Annunciators show at a glance what is being measured
(volts, ohms, etc.).
• One-switch operation makes it easy to select measurement
functions.
• Overload protection prevents damage to both the meter and
the circuit, while protecting the user.
• Special high-energy fuses provide extra protection for user
and meter during current measurements and overloads.
• Autoranging automatically selects proper measurement
range. Manual ranging lets you lock into a specific range for
repetitive measurements.
• Autopolarity indicates negative readings with a minus sign,
so even if you connect the test leads in reverse you won’t dam-
age the meter.
• Low battery indicator.

Digital Multimeter Price are lower than any other Digital

Multimeter and as used for examples in this article. Other
DMMs may operate differently or offer different features from
the ones shown. However, this article explains common uses
and tips for using most DMMs.

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