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Analogue multimeter

DMM digital multimeter

Basic instructions on how to use a multimeter

Multimeter tutorial and video

Making a multimeter voltage measurement

How to measure current with a multimeter

Making a multimeter resistance measurement

Simple diode and transistor test

Testing and fault finding a transistor circuit

What is a DMM Digital Multimeter?

- an overview or tutorial about what a DMM, Digital Multimeter is, and how to use it.

A digital multimeter or DMM is one of the most widely used pieces of test equipment today. DMMs are available very cheaply and these digital multimeters can provide very high degrees of accuracy when measuring the parameters within an electronics or electrical circuit. As a result, DMMs are one of the most indispensable pieces of test equipment available today.

... apart from amps, volts, and ohms, many DMMs can measure parameters including frequency, capacitance, continuity, and temperature....

Digital multimeters or DMMs can measure a variety of different parameters within an electrical circuit. The basic DMMs can measure amps, volts and ohms, as the older analogue meters did, but with the ease of incorporating further functionality into an integrated circuit, many digital multimeters are able to make a number of other measurements as well. Many of them include functions such as frequency, continuity (with a buzzer to facilitate easy measurements when looking at the circuit board), capacitance, temperature and often a number of other measurements as well.

Typical DMM controls and connections

The interfaces on the front of a digital multimeter are normally very straightforward. They consist of a number of items:

1. Display   The display on a DMM is normally easy to see and read. Most have four digits, the first of which can often only be either a 0 or 1, and there will normally be a + / - indication as well. There may also be a few other smaller indicators such as AC / DC etc dependent upon the model of DMM



2. Main connections   There will be some main connections for the probes to connect to. Although only two are needed at any one time, there may be three or four. Typically these may be:
   
   
   • Common - for use with all measurements and this will take the negative or black lead and probe
   
   
   
   • Volts, ohms, frequency - this connection is used for most measurements and will take the positive or red lead and probe.
   
   
   
   • Amps and milliamps - this connection is used for the current measurements and will again take the red lead and probe.
   
   
   
   • High current - there is often a separate connection for high current measurements. Care must be taken to use this rather than the low current connection if high levels of current are anticipated
   
   
   
   These are typical connections for a multimeter and each model of multimeter may have its own requirements and connections.



3. Main switch   There will usually be a single main rotary switch to select the type of measurement to be made and the range that is needed.



4. Additional connections   There may be additional connections for other measurements such as temperature where a thermocouple will need its own connections. Some meters are also able to measure the gain of transistors, and these will require separate connections on the meter.



5. Additional buttons and switches   There will be a few additional buttons and switches. The main one will obviously be the on/off button. Other functions including items such as peak hold may also be available

DMM operation

The operation of a DMM itself is normally very straightforward. With a knowledge of how to make voltage, current and resistance measurements (see the "Related Articles" on the left hand side of this page for further details) it is then a matter of putting the multimeter to use. If the meter is new then it will obviously be necessary to install a battery to power it. This is normally simple and straightforward and details can be found in the operating instructions for the DMM.

When using the meter it is possible to follow a number of simple steps:

1. Turn the meter on



2. Insert the probes into the correct connections - this is required because there may be a number of different connections that can be used.



3. Set switch to the correct measurement type and range for the measurement to be made. When selecting the range, ensure that the maximum range is above that anticipated. The range on the DMM can then be reduced as necessary. However by selecting a range that is too high, it prevents the meter being overloaded.



4. Optimise the range for the best reading. If possible enable all the leading digits to not read zero, and in this way the greatest number of significant digits can be read.



5. Once the reading is complete, it is a wise precaution to place the probes into the voltage measurement sockets and turn the range to maximum voltage. In this way if the meter is accidentally connected without thought for the range used, there is little chance of damage to the meter. This may not be true if it left set for a current reading, and the meter is accidentally connected across a high voltage point!

DMM overall accuracy

1. Resolution   The resolution of a DMM is often specified in the number of digits. DMMs will be specified in terms of the number of digits in the display. Typically this will be a number consisting of an integer and a half, e.g. 3 ½ digits. By convention a half digit can display either a zero or 1. This a three and a half digit meter could display up to 1999. Sometimes a three quarters digit may be used. This can display a number higher than one, but less than nine.



2. Accuracy   The accuracy of the meter is different to the display resolution. This represents the uncertainty of the reading due to inaccuracies in the DMM.