Experiment No. 5: Multimeter Measurement

Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila 1740, PHILIPPINES
www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph • +63(02) 871-06-39
EXPERIMENT NO. 5
MULTIMETER MEASUREMENT
I. OBJECTIVES
1. To get familiar with basic electronic instrument and equipment handling and
usage procedure for analog and digital multimeter.
2. To use multimeter to measure the voltage of a transformer, voltage of a batter,
resistance of a resistor and current flowing in a branch of resistor.
II. INTRODUCTION
A multimeter is an electronic device that is used to make various electrical
measurements, such as AC and DC voltage, AC and DC current, and resistance. It
is called a multimeter because it combines the functions of a voltmeter, ammeter,
and ohmmeter. Multimeter may also have other functions, such as diode test,
continuity test, transistor test, TTL logic test and frequency test.
A multimeter has three parts: display, selection knob and ports. The display
usually has four digits and the ability to display a negative sign. A few multimeters
have illuminated displays for better viewing in low light situations. The selection
knob allows the user to set the multimeter to read different things such as milliamps
(mA) of current, voltage (V) and resistance (Ω). Two probes are plugged into two of
the ports on the front of the unit. COM stands for common and is almost always
connected to Ground or ‘-’ of a circuit. The COM probe is conventionally black but
there is no difference between the red probe and black probe other than color. 10A
is the special port used when measuring large currents (greater than 200mA). mAVΩ
is the port that the red probe is conventionally plugged in to. This port allows the
measurement of current (up to 200mA), voltage (V), and resistance (Ω). The probes
have a banana type connector on the end that plugs into the multimeter. Any probe
with a banana plug will work with this meter.
Figure 5.1 Sample multimeter
SAEFTY MEASURES
1. Be sure the test leads and rotary switch are in the correct position for the
desired measurement.
2. Never use the meter if the meter or the test leads look damaged.
3. Never measure resistance in a circuit when power is applied.
4. Never touch the probes to a voltage source when a test lead is plugged into
the 10 A or 300 mA input jack.
5. To avoid damage or injury, never use the meter on circuits that exceed 4800
watts.
6. Never apply more than the rated voltage between any input jack and earth
ground.
7. Be careful when working with voltages above 60 V DC or 30 V AC rms. Such
voltages pose a shock hazard.
8. Keep your fingers behind the finger guards on the test probes when making
measurements.
9. To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock or
personal injury, replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator appears.
INPUT JACKS
The black lead is always plugged into the common terminal. The red lead is
plugged into the 10 A jack when measuring currents greater than 300 mA, the 300
mA jack when measuring currents less than 300 mA, and the remaining jack (V-
ohms-diode) for all other measurements.
Figure 5.2 Probe ports of a multimeter
RANGE FIXING
The meter defaults to auto range when first turned on. You can choose a manual
range in V AC, V DC, A AC, and A DC by pressing the button in the middle of the
rotary dial. To return to auto range, press the button for one second.
Figure 5.3 Range fixing

DC/AC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

1. Connect the positive (red) test lead to the ‘V/mA’ jack socket and the negative
(black) lead to the ‘COM’ jack socket.
2. Set the selector switch to the desired mV D.C./D.C. V/A.C. V range.
3. Connect the test leads to the circuit to be measured.
4. Turn on the power to the circuit to be measured, the voltage value should
appear on the digital display along with the voltage polarity (if reversed only).
CURRENT MEASUREMENT
1. Connect the positive(red) test lead to the ‘V/mA’ jack socket and the
negative(black) lead to the ‘COM’ jack socket (for measurements up to
200mA). For measurements between 200mA and 10A connect the red test
lead to the ‘10mA’ socket.
2. Set the selector switch to the desired uA/mA/A range.
3. Open the circuit to be measured and connect the test leads in SERIES with
the load in which current is to be measured.
4. To avoid blowing an input fuse, use the 10A jack until you are sure that the
current is less than 300 mA. Turn off power to the circuit. Break the circuit.
(For circuits of more than 10 amps, use a current clamp.) Put the meter in
series with the circuit and turn power on.
RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT
2. Set the selector switch to the desired ‘OHM Ω’.
3. If the resistance to be measured ia part of a circuit, turn off the power and
discharge all capacitors before measurement.
4. Connect the test leads to the circuit to be measured.
5. The resistance value should now appear on the digital display.
6. If the resistance to be measured is part of a circuit, turn off the power and
CONTINUITY TEST
This mode is used to check if two points are electrically connected. It is
often used to verify connectors. If continuity exists (resistance less than 210
ohms), the beeper sounds continuously.
2. Set the selector switch to the buzz position.
3. Connect the test leads to two points of the circuit to be tested. If the
resistance is Ohms the buzzer will sound.
4. If the resistance to be measured is part of a circuit, turn off the power and
DIODE TEST
2. Set the selector switch to the position.
3. Connect the test leads to be measured.
4. Turn on the power to the circuit to be measured and the voltage value should
appear on the digital display.
GENERAL OPERATION
Connection of Probes:
All multimeters come with two probes. They are to be connected to the
terminals on the meter itself. The Black probe is to be connected to the COM
terminal. Red probe is to be connected to terminal marked with:
 ‘V-’ for voltage measurement,
 ‘mA’ or ‘20A’ for current measurement (there are two terminals, one for 2A
range and the other for 20A range)
 ‘V-’ for resistance measurement.
Setting of function:
The multimeter uses different circuits internally to measure different things.
Therefore, you must select the correct function before using it.
Setting of Range:
You can change the sensitivity of the meter by selecting different range for
measurement. Set the range to the first range that is higher than the maximum
value you expect to measure. This will give a more accurate reading. If you do
not know what to expect, use the highest range first. After a reading is obtained,
set the range to the appropriate one to get a better reading.
When the value measured exceeds the existing range, the display will flash.
When this happens, set the multimeter to a higher range until some values are
displayed.
III. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

1 multimeter or VOM
4 pcs 1.5-volt battery of any sizes
1 750 mA power transformer with 0, 110, 220 V in the primary winding and 12, 9, 6,
3, 0 V in the secondary winding
5 pcs carbon resistor (assorted in value)
1N914 diode or equivalent

1000 µF electrolytic capacitor
Breadboard
IV. SAFETY GUIDELINES

Observe the following precautions.
1. For current measurement, the maximum input current is 2A (if the RED mA and
BLACK COM terminals are used) or 20A (if the RED 20A and BLACK COM
terminals are used). Excessive current will blow the fuse on the 2A range, which
must be replaced. The 20A range, however, is not protected by the fuse.
2. For voltage measurement (use the RED V- and BLACK COM terminals), the
maximum input voltage on:
a. all DC ranges is 1200V DC or peak AC
b. the 20V, 200V and 1000V AC ranges is 1000V rms continuous
c. the 2V and 200mV AC ranges is 1000V rms for not more than 15 seconds.
3. To avoid electrical shock and/or instrument damage, do not connect the COM
input terminals to any source of more than 500 volts DC or peak AC above earth
ground.
V. PROCEDURES
A. RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT
To use the VOM to measure the resistance of a circuit, the following steps
should be followed.
1. Adjust the VOM to the needed resistance range (Rx1, Rx10, etc.)
2. If it is in circuit testing, remove the supply voltage. If you want to measure the
resistance of the resistor, simply connect the test probe to resistor terminals.
XMM1
R1
10um 1um
Figure 5.4 Resistance measurement
3. Read the results in the uppermost scale of the meter (ohm scale).
4. Record the results in Table 5.1.
B. VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT
1. AC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT USING THE TRANSFORMER
a. Examine the power transformer assigned to you. Determine the primary
and secondary winding. Connect the ac plug on the primary winding of the
transformer (0 and 220 volt of transformer).
b. Adjust the VOM to the highest ACV range. Plug the primary winding to
220-volt outlet. Measure the parameters needed and record the results in
Table 5.2.
XMM1 XMM1
V1 T1
V1 T1
120Vrms
120Vrms 10:1
10:1 60Hz
60Hz 0°
0°
Figure 5.5 Transformer ac voltage measurements
Note: Always use the highest voltage range, if it does not deflect, start
decreasing the voltage range value.
2. DC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT USING THE BATTERY

a. Set the voltage range to the highest range of DCV
b. Measure the DC voltage of each battery. Read the results in the DCV
scale. Record the results in Table 3.
XMM1
V1
1.5V
Figure 5.6 Battery DC voltage measurement
c. Connect the batteries in series. Measure the total voltage across points
AB. Record the results in Table 5.3.
XMM1
V1 V2 V3 V4
1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V
Figure 5.7 Series batteries DC voltage measurement
d. Connect 4 batteries in parallel. Measure the voltage across points CD.

Record the results in Table 5.3.
XMM1
V1 V2 V3 V4
1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V
Figure 5.8 Parallel batteries DC voltage measurement

e. Connect the batteries in series-parallel. Measure the voltage as shown in

the figure. Record the results in Table 5.3.
V1 V2
XMM1
1.5V 1.5V
V3 V4
1.5V 1.5V
Figure 5.9 Series-parallel batteries

DC voltage measurement
3. CIRCUIT MEASUREMENT USING HALF-WAVE POWER SUPPLY

a. Connect the circuit as shown below.
Figure 5.10 Circuit measurement using

half-wave power supply
b. Set the VOM to 50 VAC then measure the voltage at point GH. Record the
result in Table 5.4.
c. Set the VOM to 10 VDC then measure the voltage at point IJ. Record the
d. Set the VOM to 50 VDC then measure the voltage at point KL. Record the
e. Set the VOM to 50 VDC then measure the voltage at point MN. Record
the result in Table 5.4.
C. CURRENT MEASUREMENT
a. Connect the DC circuit shown below.
R1 1kΩ
V1 R2 R4
1kΩ 1kΩ
1.5V
R3 1kΩ
Figure 5.11 Series-parallel resistor current measurement

b. Set the ammeter range based according to the specifications in Table 5.5.
Record the results.
VI. DATA TABLE
Table 5.1 Resistance value of resistors
NO RESISTOR COLOR RESISTOR CODED MEASURED
. CODES VALUE VALUE
1 Brown, green, orange, 5.6 x103 Ω 55 x103 Ω
gold
2 Violet, green, yellow, gold 20 x103 Ω 19.92 x103 Ω
3 Brown, grey, orange, gold 39 x103 Ω 38.7 x103 Ω
4 Brown, red, yellow, gold 9.1 x104 Ω 9.18 x103Ω
5 Brown, black, orange, 20 x103 Ω 19.92 x103
gold
Table 5.2 Measured ac voltage

MEASURED MEASURED
NO. TERMINALS NO. TERMINALS
VOLTAGE VOLTAGE
1 0 and 110 volts 4 12 and 6 volts 6V
2 0 and 220 volts 221.2 V 5 9 and 6 volts 2.9 V
3 110 and 220 volts 6 12 and 3 volts 9.1 V

7 12 and 0 volts 12.3 V
8 9 and 0 volts 9.2 V
Table 5.3 Measured DC voltage

NO BATTERY CONNECTION MEASURED VOLTAGE
.
1.) 1.557 V 2.) 1.601 V
1 Individual battery
3.) 1.892 V 4.) 1.6 V
2 Batteries in series connection 6.28 V
3 Batteries in parallel connection 1.573 V
Batteries in series-parallel 4.63 V
4
connection
Table 5.4 Circuit measurement

NO
PROBE POINTS MEASURED VOLTAGE
.
1 Voltage at point GH 12.6 V
2 Voltage at point IJ 17.24 V
3 Voltage at point KL 17.23 V
4 Voltage at point MN 17.3 V
Table 5.5 Measured DC current

NO 250 mA 25 mA 2.5 mA
BRANCH 25 A Range
. Range Range Range
1 Along the 0.1µA
battery
2 Along R1 0.1µA
3 Along R2 0.1µA
4 Along R3 0.1µA
5 Along R4 0.1µA
VII. OBSERVATION
Our experiment is about using the multimeter in different situations and determining
the voltage of a transformer and a battery and its resistance in order for us to familiarize
the principles of basic electronic components and equipment handling. The multimeter
used were a digital and an analog multimeter. It is essential to proceed with the
experiment with caution as this experiment has some hazards that may harm the
individuals conducting the experiment.
VIII. QUESTIONS
1. Which parameter can be easily measured by VOM? Why?
-The parameter that can be easily measured by VOM is the measurement of
resistors, because you can just plug it on the breadboard individually and
measure it using the VOM. The measurement of individual battery is can be
also easily measured by VOM, because it was simple and easy to do using the
digital multimeter.
IX. ANALYSIS OF DATA

The first table shows that the resistance was determined by reading the color values
and using the multimeter. The values obtained were close to each other. For the
second table, we did not measured the voltages including 110 volts since we did not
have an 110V supply. By observing the data, as the voltages on the terminals
decrease, the corresponding voltage also decreases. The 3rd table represents the
measured voltage for the batteries in different connections. Batteries in parallel have
lower voltage value than those in series. On the circuit measurement, or the fourth
table, we measured the voltages by following the probe points at each trial. And on
the last table, Measured DC Current, we measured the current based on the given
ranges along different branches at every trial getting a value of .1 mA in the 25 A
range.
X. CONCLUSION
After our experiment, I have learned that a multimeter is an electronic device that is
used to make various electrical measurements, such in a AC and DC voltage, AC and
DC current, and resistance. It has three parts: display, selection knob and ports. It is
called a multimeter because it combines the functions of a voltmeter, ammeter, and
ohmmeter.The meter starts in the autorange when first turned on. The multimeter uses
different circuits internally to measure different things. Therefore, you must select the
correct function before using it. You can change the sensitivity of the meter by selecting
different range for measurement.
I have also learned how to determine the voltage of the batteries and its resistance in
different situations.

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Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila 1740, PHILIPPINES

www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph • +63(02) 871-06-39

Figure 5.1 Sample multimeter

Figure 5.2 Probe ports of a multimeter

Figure 5.3 Range fixing

DC/AC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT

III. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

1N914 diode or equivalent

IV. SAFETY GUIDELINES

Figure 5.4 Resistance measurement

Figure 5.5 Transformer ac voltage measurements

2. DC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT USING THE BATTERY

Figure 5.6 Battery DC voltage measurement

1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V

Figure 5.7 Series batteries DC voltage measurement

d. Connect 4 batteries in parallel. Measure the voltage across points CD.

Figure 5.8 Parallel batteries DC voltage measurement

e. Connect the batteries in series-parallel. Measure the voltage as shown in

Figure 5.9 Series-parallel batteries

3. CIRCUIT MEASUREMENT USING HALF-WAVE POWER SUPPLY

Figure 5.10 Circuit measurement using

Figure 5.11 Series-parallel resistor current measurement

Table 5.2 Measured ac voltage

1 0 and 110 volts 4 12 and 6 volts 6V

2 0 and 220 volts 221.2 V 5 9 and 6 volts 2.9 V

3 110 and 220 volts 6 12 and 3 volts 9.1 V

7 12 and 0 volts 12.3 V

8 9 and 0 volts 9.2 V

Table 5.3 Measured DC voltage

Table 5.4 Circuit measurement

Table 5.5 Measured DC current

IX. ANALYSIS OF DATA

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