Digital multimeters - basics

of structure and operation

By Kimsanov Rakhimjon
Content
• What is a Digital Multimeter?
• Features of Digital Multimeter
• Block diagram of Digital multimeter
• Operation of Digital multimeter
• Working Principle of Digital Multimeter
• Digital Multimeter as Voltmeter, Ammeter and Digital Ohmmeter
• What do symbols on Digital Multimeter mean?
• DMM Parts and functions
• Digital Multimeter Accuracy
• DMM Safety Precaution
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 rather giving an analog output.

• Digital multimeters are widely accepted worldwide as

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
• As we know, Digital multimeters gave output in numeric form due to ADC registers present
inside these multimeters. One that is most widely used in digital multimeters, DMMs is
known as the successive approximation register or SAR. For better accuracy, these SAR
ADCs may have resolution levels of 12 bits.
• Generally, a Digital multimeter has resolution levels of 16 bits with speeds of 100k samples
per second. These levels of speed are more than adequate for most DMM applications, that’s
why we are using these registers depending upon the requirement.
 Operation of Digital multimeter

• As shown above, sample acquisition is done with the help of the sample and hold circuit. Inside
the sample and hold circuit the capacitor is present which gets charge to match the input analog
voltage known as the acquisition process.
• When the capacitor is released from the acquisition circuit then the voltage is considered to be
sampled. After this, the noise generally comes which will adversely affect the accuracy of the
digital multimeter. To overcome this, we buffered and averaged the samples to achieve high
accuracy and resolution.
 Working Principle of Digital Multimeter

• As shown in the block diagram, in a typical Digital multimeter the input signal i.e. ac or dc
voltage, current, resistance, temperature, or any other parameter is converted to dc voltage
within the range of the ADC. The analog to digital converter then converts the pre-scaled dc
voltage into its equivalent digital numbers which will be displayed on the display unit.
• In the case of some handheld multimeter, some or all of these blocks may be implemented in
a VLSI circuit while the A/D converter and display driver can be in the same IC.
 Digital Multimeter as Voltmeter, Ammeter and Digital
Ohmmeter
• 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 digital
multimeters is the Analog to digital converter because without
this we are not able to convert the analog output into digital
form.
• Digital Ammeter (DAM): A 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.
• Digital ohm meter (DOM): A digital ohmmeter is used to
measure electrical resistance which obstructs the path to the
flow of current.
What do symbols on Digital Multimeter mean?
Symbol Measurement Function Description
~ AC voltage Measures Ac voltage value in the circuit
DC voltage Measures Dc voltage value in the circuit
Hz Hertz Measures Frequency
Ω Ohm Measures resistance value in the circuit
Diode A Device used to control the direction of flow of current
µF MicroFarad Unit of capacitor
Capacitor A Device used to store electrical charge
Continuity Audible indication of continuity for low resistance
A Ampere Measures Value of Current in circuit
CE European Union Directive It indicates the guarantee of an instrument
Refers to the instruction before use and indicates that its misuse
Caution
results in equipment failure
REL REL Measures relative or offset reading
Min/Max Minimum and Maximum Shows minimum and maximum recorded readings
 DMM Parts and functions
• Display: The LCD screen present on the upper portion of the
multimeter basically displays four or more digits and also shows a
negative value if necessary. A few of today’s multimeters have
illuminated the display for better viewing in low light situations.
• Selection Dial: It allows the user to set the multimeter to read
different electrical parameters such as milliamps (mA) of current,
voltage, resistance, capacitance, etc. You can easily turn the dial
anywhere for specific parameter measurements.
• 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
colors i.e. one is of red color and the other is of black color. Different Red lead
Ports in multimeter are: Connected to voltage,
(a) COM: It stands for common and is almost connected to the resistance, or ampere port.
ground or considered as a -ve connection of a circuit. We generally Considered as a +ve
insert the black color probe into the COM port. connection of a circuit
(b) mAVΩ: This port allows the measurement of current (up to 200 Black lead
mA), voltage and resistance; and is considered as a +ve connection Connected to the common
of a circuit. We generally insert the red color probe into the mAVΩ or ground port
port.
 Digital Multimeter Accuracy
• DMM Accuracy = ±(ppm of reading + ppm of range)
• DMM Accuracy = (% Reading) + (% Range)
• DMM Accuracy = (% Reading) + Offset
Note: Here ppm refers to parts per million.
Factors affecting the accuracy of Multimeter are:
• Temperature: To a large extent, the temperature can affect the accuracy of Digital
multimeters. Today many multimeters have an inbuilt temperature feature which eliminates
the need for any external device. You can express them as ±(ppm of reading + ppm of
range)/°C.
• Resolution: Resolution is directly proportional to accuracy. If you want accuracy you have
to take care of resolution also. The resolution of a Digital multimeter is expressed in terms
of the number of digits displayed. Typically this will be a number consisting of an integer
and a half i.e.3 ½ digits etc. By convention, a half digit can display either a zero or 1.
 DMM Safety Precaution
Before operating multimeters, we have to follow some safety precautions. Here I’m going to explain
to you some safety information about 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 the 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.
Thank you for your kind attention