CONSTRUCTOR UNIVERSITY

GERMANY, BREMEN

General Electrical Engineering Module 1

Fall Semester 2023

Laboratory Experiment 1
Usage of Multimeter

Author of the report: Zhaniya Yesnazarova

Names of the students in the group: Zhaniya Yesnazarova, Timeea-Andreea Radu

Date of experiment: October 5, 2023
Place of experiment: Research 1, Room 54, Teaching Lab
 Introduction to the laboratory work "Using a multimeter"
There is no doubt that a multimeter is an essential instrument the function of which is to measure
various electrical parameters (current, resistance and voltage). It provides an opportunity to
measure electrical quantities as accurate as possible and is a vital tool for troubleshooting
instruments. Being able to manage the multimeter is essential and beneficial. Therefore, in this
laboratory work we are going to familiarize ourselves with the principles of multimeter operation,
learn how to use it to measure various parameters of electrical circuits and check electronic
components.
Theory
A voltmeter is a device that measures the voltage value. It has to be connected in parallel to the
circuit under test. It is important to take into account that the current passing through the voltmeter
must be significantly less than the current in the circuit being measured. Otherwise, the measured
voltage value may be accurate but not the actual voltage due to the influence of internal resistance.(
In the instruction, the value of internal resistance is shown)

An ammeter is an electric current measuring device. It should be connected in series with the load.
You can face 2 mistakes while connecting an ammeter. First and foremost, there is a need to
consider that adding an ammeter to the circuit adds additional resistance, which can reduce the
total current in the circuit. Secondly, such a connection causes a voltage drop, which can reduce the
voltage across the load.

A multimeter is a universal device that combines several functions. It can be used to measure
voltage, current and resistance. In the laboratory, we are going to use 2 multimeters which are
ELABO and TENMA.

While measuring the values, we cannot get as accurate as the real values are, because TENMA and
ELABO multimeters have an influence on the circuit. That is why it is important to calculate absolute,
relative and methodical errors.
Absolute error shows the deflection the measured value has compared to the true value. In many
cases, it is an instrument error.
Tenma Multimeter ∆E = ±(0.05% rdg+5 dig) – ∆E in [V] Range 4V to 1000V
Elabo Multimeter ∆E = ±(0.03% f.Value + 0.01% f.Range) – ∆E in [V]
The relative error is used to compare the values of error. Its formula states: the absolute value
divided by the true value.

E%= (∆𝐸 / rdg)*100%

The methodical error - error that is induced because influence of the instrument into the circuit.
Methodical Error = ((Vmeas – Vtrue) / Vtrue) x 100

Error propagation
The error is propagated when measured values are used in calculations. In many cases the accuracy
of the result is lower than the accuracy of the single values. Therefore, we will need to know how to
calculate the error propagation.
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
∆R = ∗ ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 + ∗ ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝2+ ∗ ∆𝐼
𝑑(𝑉𝑚𝑝1) 𝑑(𝑉𝑚𝑝2) 𝑑(𝐼)
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
∆R = ∗ ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 + ∗ ∆𝐼+ ∗ ∆𝑅1
𝑑(𝑉𝑚𝑝1) 𝑑(𝐼) 𝑑(𝑅1)
 Experimental Set-up and Results
Used instruments and tools:
o Breadboard
o Elabo Multimeter
o Tenma Multimeter
o Cables
o Wires
o Resistors
o Resistor decade

Part 1A: Voltage Measurement

Set-up
The purpose of the experiment Part 1A: to see the impact of the ranges of ELABO multimeter on
the precision and accuracy of the result.
In order to do Part 1A laboratory experiment, I assemble the 1-circuit on the breadboard as it is
shown below.
1-Circuit: It is a circuit that consists of 2 Resistors (R1 = 820 Ω and R2=180 Ω) connected in series and
a voltmeter connected across R2.

(1-circuit)
 1. At the very beginning, it is crucial to set the measure mode (“V” and “DC”) and the range (it
has to start from the highest range. Therefore, I set the turn-wheel to 2000V).
2. The ELABO multimeter is used as a voltmeter to measure the voltage value.
3. The voltage value is measured and afterwards the change of the value in the 2000 V, 200 V, 20
V, 2 V, 0.2 V ranges can be noticed.

Execution & Result Part 1A

The result of voltage value measurements for the ranges from 2000 V to 0.2V:
Table 1: Reading Vout=Vth for ranges from 0.2 V to 2000V

The range(V) Voltage value(V)

2000 0.2
200 0.17
20 0.173
2 0.1707
0.2 170.98

Part 1B: Voltage Measurement Pitfall

Set-up
The purpose of the experiment Part 1B: In the experiment part 1A, methodical errors can be
neglected, but they cannot be ignored for every circuit. In this experiment, we will consider
methodical errors.
In order to do Part 1B laboratory experiment, I assemble Thévenin’s circuit which is illustrated
below:
 1. Firstly, as we can see, we reduce resistive DC circuit to a Thevenin circuit (which is an ideal
voltage source and a resistor).
2. The power is switched on and then we set the power supply 1.8V.
3. We set the 2000 V range of the voltmeter (since it always starts from highest range) and
afterwards, choose the range that gives the most precise results. In this experiment, It is 2V to
the best resolution.
4. Lastly, we measure and record the values of voltage Vout=Vth for 0 R, 10R, 100R, 1K00, 10K0,
100K, 1M00, 10M0 resistances at the resistor decade.

Execution & Result Part 1B

The measurements of Voltage( Vth) for resistances for 0 R, 10R, 100R, 1K00, 10K0,
100K, 1M00, 10M0 are depicted in the table.
Table 2 depicts the resistance at R-decade and the measured values of Voltage

Resistance(Ω) Voltage (V)

0R 1.8439
10R 1.8439
100R 1.8439
1K00 1.8437
10K0 1.842
100K 1.8257
1M00 1.6772
10M0 0.9237
 Part 2: Current Measurement and Pitfalls
Set-up
The purpose of the experiment Part 2: to demonstrate the methodical and instrumental errors of
ammeter.
In order to do Part 2 laboratory experiment, we have to wire up the following circuit:
Circuit: The resistance (R1=270 Ω) in series with TENMA and in parallel with ELABO and a power
supply (1.8V).

1. In this experiment, we use ELABO as a voltmeter and TENMA as an ammeter.

2. In order to reduce the impact of the connecting to ammeter, there is a need to connect
voltmeter in a way in which “MP1” and “MP2” are the plugs at ammeter.
3. Afterwards, we have to connect the circuit to power supply and choose the best range for
voltmeter (in our case, it is 2V).
4. Measure the voltages and current at the ammeter “A”, “ma” and “’µA”.

Execution & Result Part 2

The recordings of the voltages at MP1 and MP2 and current are demonstrated in the table below.
Table 3: the values of voltages and current for different ranges “A”, “mA” and “µA”.

Plug Switch Vmp1 (V) Vmp2(V) Current

A A 1.8781 1.8778 0.003 A
maµA ma 1.8781 1.8355 6.810 mA
maµA µA 1.8786 0.7487 2256.6 μA
 EVALUATION
Part 1A : Voltage Measurement
1. Calculating all absolute and relative errors
The necessary formulas are taken from the data sheet of the ELABO multimeter.
 To calculate the absolute error for ELABO voltage we use the 1-formula which is depicted
below.
ΔE =±(0.03% 𝑓. 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 + 0.01%𝑓. 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒) (1-formula)
An exemplary solution for the case with V = 0.2 V and Range = 2000 V:
ΔE = ± ( 0.03 ×0.2/100 + 0.01×2000/100 ) = ± 0.20006 [V]
 For calculating the relative error (Erel%), the next calculation is done with the formula shown
below

Valmeas − Valtrue ≡ ∆E ≡ Absolute Error from 1-formula

Valtrue ≡ reading from multimeter

Therefore, our formula can look like this:

∆E
E%= *100% (2-formula)
𝑟𝑑𝑔
An exemplary solution for the case with V = 0.2[V] and Range = 2000 [V]:
E%= (∆𝐸 / rdg)*100%= (0.20006/0.2)*100%= 100.03%

Table 4. The range, voltage value, calculated absolute and reltive errors.
Voltage Absolute
The range(V) value(V) error(ELABO)(V) Relative error(%)
2000 0.2 ±0.20006 100.03%
200 0.17 ±0.020051 11.79%
20 0.173 ±0.0020519 1.19%
2 0.1707 ±0.00025121 0.15%
0.2 170.98 ±0.051314 0.03%
2. Conclusion regarding the usage of the voltmeter ranges
Taking part 1A into an account, I can make a conclusion that using voltmeter ranges is very
important to achieve accurate measurements. We can see in table that, as the ranges
increases the absolute and relative errors get larger too. Therefore, it is vital to set the best
range of the voltmeter to get less errors and obtain the most accurate results.

3. The diagram of the relative error E% = f(U) for the 20 V range

Firstly, we need to make a table with values. My table is depicted below. Afterwards, I draw
the diagram of the relative error for the 20V range. In order to calculate the relative error,
firstly I have to calculate absolute error (1-formula) and then compute the relative error (2-
formula).

An exemplary solution for absolute error:

∆𝐸 = ± (0.03% f.Value + 0.01% f.Range) = 0.03*0.001/100+0.01*2/100 =± 0.0020003
An exemplary solution for relative error:
E% = (∆E / rdg) × 100% = (0.002/0.001)*100%= 200.03%

Value(V) Range Absolute error Relative error

0.001 20 0.002 200.03%
0.002 20 0.002 100.03%
0.005 20 0.002 40.03%
0.01 20 0.002 20.03%
0.02 20 0.002 10.03%
0.05 20 0.002 4.03%
1 20 0.002 0.23%
2 20 0.003 0.13%
5 20 0.004 0.07%
10 20 0.005 0.05%
13 20 0.006 0.05%
16 20 0.007 0.04%
20 20 0.008 0.04%
 Relative error
250.00%

200.00%

150.00%

100.00%

50.00%

0.00%
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100

-50.00%

The diagram of the relative error E% = f(U) for the 20 V range

 Part 1B : Voltage Measurement Pitfall
1-question:
Calculating the relative error of the measured Uth value for all Rth settings.
First and foremost, we have to calculate the absolute error of Uth, afterwards using the the
absolute error, we can find the relative error of Uth value for all Rth settings:
An absolute error: ∆𝐸 = ± (0.03% f.Value + 0.01% f.Range)
Example:
∆𝐸 = (0.03* 1.8439/100)+(0.01*2/100)= ±0.0008
A relative error: E% = (∆E / rdg) × 100%
Example:
E%=(0.0008/1.8439)*100%=0.04084%
Table 5. Voltage thevenin values, absolute and relative errors.
Resistance(Ω) Voltage Thevenin Absolute error Relative error (%)
0 1.8439 ±0.0008 0.04084%
%10 1.8439 ±0.0008 0.04084%
100 1.8439 ±0.0008 0.04084%
1000 1.8437 ±0.0008 0.04084%
10000 1.842 ±0.0008 0.04085%
100000 1.8257 ±0.0007 0.04095%
1000000 1.6772 ±0.0007 0.04192%
10000000 0.9237 ±0.0005 0.05165%
2-question:
It is noticeable that the accuracy of the displayed values is good, but some of them far away
from the real values. It means there is a methodical error. Methodical error is induced
because influence of the instrument into the circuit. Here ELABO multimeter has an internal
resistance, and this factor made the values differ significantly from real values.
Now to find the relative methodical error, we have to calculate it with the 3-formula which is
shown below:
Vmeas – Vtrue
Relative methodical error = * 100% (3-formula)
Vtrue

We take as Vtrue a value of Voltage when R=0Ω. Vtrue=1.8439 [V]

An exemplary solution of the relative methodical error when Vmeas= 1.8439[V].
1.8439− 1.8439
Relative methodical error = *100%=0%
1.8439

The table 6: Resistance at r-decade, Vth and calculated methodical error.

Relative methodical error
Resistance(Ω) Voltage Thevenin (V) (%)

0R 1.8439 0.0000%

10R 1.8439 0.0000%

100R 1.8439 0.0000%

1K 1.8437 -0.0108%

10K 1.842 -0.1030%

100K 1.8257 -0.9870%

1M 1.6772 -9.0406%

10M 0.9237 -49.9051%

3-question:
According to the data sheet, the ELABO voltmeter has an internal resistance which is 10MΩ. In
order to reduce the relative methodical error to 0, we can make the current that flows very
small and resistance as high as possible. (higher than the internal resistance)
 Part 2 : Current Measurement and Pitfalls
1-question: calculating the relative error of the measured current for all settings.
Firstly, if we want to calculate the relative error, we have to find the values of the absolute
error. Since we used the TENMA multimeter to measure the current (there is an individual
formula for each multimeter): we use formulas in Tenma 72-7732A Multimeter data sheet to
calculate absolute error.
Calculating an absolute error:
For the “A” range:
𝛥𝐸 = (0.5% rdg + 30 × 0.001 )
0.5∗0.003
Example: 𝛥𝐸 = + 30 ∗ 0.001= 0.030015
100

For the “mA” range:

𝛥𝐸= 0.15%rdg + 15*0.000001
0.15∗0.006810
Example: 𝛥𝐸= + 15 ∗ 0.000001 = 0.000025215
100

For the “µA” range:

𝛥𝐸= 0.1%rdg + 15*0.000000001
0.1∗0.0022566
𝛥𝐸= + 15 ∗ 0.000000001 =2.2716E-06
100

Calculating a relative error: to calculate the relative error, we use the same formula we have
used before.
ΔE(𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟)
E%( Relative Error) = *100%
𝑟𝑑𝑔
0.030015
E%( Relative Error) = *100% = 1000.50% for the range “A”
0.003
0.000025215
E%( Relative Error) = *100% = 0.37% for the range “mA”
0.006810
2.2716E−06
E%( Relative Error) = *100% = 0.10% for the range “µA”
0.0022566
Table 7: it shows the recorded values, the calculations of the absolute error and relative error.

Plug Switch Vmp1 (V) Vmp2(V) Current (A) Absolute error Relative error (%)
A A 1.8781 1.8778 0.003 0.030015 1000.50
maµA ma 1.8781 1.8355 0.006810 0.000025215 0.37
maµA µA 1.8786 0.7487 0.0022566 2.2716E-06 0.10
 2-question: Calculating the relative methodical error for all settings
I use the following formula to calculate the relative methodical error for all ranges:
Imeas – Itrue
Relative methodical error = * 100%
Itrue

I meas is the current value we read from TENMA. Now, we need the true value of the current, in
order to find it we use Ohm’s Law (U=I*R -> I=U/R) and the measured voltage VMP1 and the
nominal resistor value R1 = 270 Ω.
𝑉𝑚𝑝1
I (true value) =
𝑅1
1.8778
Calculation: I (true value) = = 0.006956 A
270
0.003−0.006956
An exemplary solution: Relative methodical error = ∗ 100%= -56.8713%
0.006956

The table of the relative methodical error:

Table 8: it shows the recorded values, the calculations of the absolute error, relative error and
methodical error.

Relative
Vmp1 Current Absolute error Relative methodical
Plug Switch (V) Vmp2(V) (A) error (%) error (%)
A A 1.8781 1.8778 0.003 0.030015 1000.50 -56.8713
maµA ma 1.8781 1.8355 0.006810 0.000025215 0.37 -2.0978
maµA µA 1.8786 0.7487 0.0022566 2.2716E-06 0.10 -67.5672

3-question:
1) As it is known, the range that has the smallest relative error has the best accuracy. After clearly
checking the table, we can say that it is µA.
2) Theoretically, we have to get the smallest methodical on the range “A” range. But looking at the
table, the range at which we get the smallest methodical error is mA.
3) Actually, ’A’mper range should have the smallest methodical error, but it is not true in our
calculations. Because, the current we have measured is too small according to what “A” range
can measure.
4-question:
While considering instrument and methodical instrument errors, the “mA” range is the best and
most acceptable in our case, because it has the smallest methodical error.
Taking everything into account, I can conclude that it is important to consider the range in ammeter
in order to get the small errors and the most precise results.
5-question: Calculating the resistance of the ammeter in all the ranges.
There are 2 ways to calculate the resistance:
𝑉𝑚𝑝1−𝑉𝑚𝑝2 𝑉𝑚𝑝1
First one: Ri = Second one: Ri = – R1
𝐼 𝐼
An exemplary calculation for the first equation for “A” range:
1.8781−1.8778
Ri = = 0.1 Ω
0.003

An exemplary calculation for the second equation for “A” range:

1.8781
Ri = – 270 = 356.033 Ω
0.003

The table 9: Resistances calculated by 2 formulas

Theoretical
Vmp1 Ri 1st Ri 2nd resistance
Plug Switch (V) Vmp2(V) Current formula (Ω) formula(Ω) (Ω)
A A 1.8781 1.8778 0.003 0.1 356.0333 0.05
maµA ma 1.8781 1.8355 0.006810 6.255507 5.785609 5
maµA µA 1.8786 0.7487 0.0022566 500.709 562.4914 500

6-question: As we can see the values of Ri calculated by 2 formulas differ from each other
significantly. It is because, anytime measured values are used in calculations the error is propagated.
That is why we have to calculate the error propagation to find which formula we should use.
Determine the error propagation in the µA range for both Ri formulas:
Finding the error propagation for the first equation:
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
1) ∆R = ∗ ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 + ∗ ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝2+ ∗ ∆𝐼
𝑑(𝑉𝑚𝑝1) 𝑑(𝑉𝑚𝑝2) 𝑑(𝐼)

∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝2 𝑉𝑚𝑝1−𝑉𝑚𝑝2

2) ∆R = + + *∆I
𝐼 𝐼 𝐼2

First and foremost, we must find the values of the absolute errors in Vmp1 and Vmp2:
ΔE =±(0.03% 𝑓. 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 + 0.01%𝑓. 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒)
The calculations of the absolute errors for Vmp1 and Vmp2:
0.03∗1.8786 0.01∗2
ΔVmp1 = + = 0.00076358
100 100
0.03∗0.7487 0.01∗2
ΔVmp2 = + = 0.00042461
100 100

Computing the error propagation :

0.00076358 0.00042461 0.00076358−0.00042461
∆R = + + *2.2716E-06= 0.526691139 Ω
0.0022566 0.0022566 0.00225662
∆R 0.526691139
Error propagation = *100% = *100% = 0.20%
𝑅 270

Finding the error propagation for the second equation:

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
1) ∆R = ∗ ∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 + ∗ ∆𝐼+ ∗ ∆𝑅1
𝑑(𝑉𝑚𝑝1) 𝑑(𝐼) 𝑑(𝑅1)

∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 𝑉𝑚𝑝1
2) ∆R = + *∆I + ∆𝑅1
𝐼 𝐼2

According to the data sheet, we take ∆R1 as 1%.

∆R1 = 270*1/100= 2.7 Ω
∆𝑉𝑚𝑝1 𝑉𝑚𝑝1
∆R = + *∆I + ∆𝑅1
𝐼 𝐼2
0.00076358 0.00076358
∆R = + *2.2716E-06+ 2.7=3.876401387 Ω
0.0022566 0.00225662
∆R 3.876401387
Error propagation = *100% = *100% = 1.44%
𝑅 270

Comparing the results of error propagation, we can see that it is smaller for the first formula of
calculating Resistance, so it means it is better to use. It shows that when measured values are used
in calculations the error is propagated.
 Conclusion

Taking all parts into account, I can make many conclusions. Speaking one by
one.
First and foremost, I got to know how TENMA and ELABO voltmeters work,
precisely, how to switch them on, connect, set the mode, range and
measure the values. In part 1A, the voltage value was measured for
different ranges of the voltmeter. After checking final results, I have
concluded that it is really essential to choose the best and nearest range to
the true value in order to get the most accurate measurements.
Furthermore, I got to know how to calculate the absolute and relative
errors.
Secondly, in part 1B, we calculated the methodical error, since the
resistance we measured was smaller than the internal resistance of the
ELABO voltmeter (10MΩ). I have come to the conclusion that, in order to
make the methodical error reduce to zero, we have to use the voltmeter
that has an internal resistance higher than the R-decade’s resistance.
Last but not least, as in the case of the voltmeter, it is vital to take the
range of the ammeter into account in order to get the accurate and close
values. Moreover, we got to know that anytime measured values are used
in calculations the error is propagated. Therefore, we must know how to
calculate error propagation and compare values.
 References
 Lab Manual
 the Tenma 72-7732A Multimeter data sheet
 the ELABO Multimeter data sheet
 Error Analysis Booklet