FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN TEKNIKAL DAN

VOKASIONAL
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
86400 PARIT RAJA

AKTIVITI/ KERTAS KERJA /WORK SHEET

ACTIVITY
NAMA PROGRAM DAN
NAMA KURSUS/ BBP10703 – FUNDAMENTAL OF ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM’S CODE &
NAME
NO. DAN TAJUK UNIT 1.0 BASIC MEASUREMENT BY USING MULTIMETER
KOMPETENSI /
COMPETENCY UNIT NO. 1. Analog multimeter measurement & application
AND TITLE

NO. DAN PENYATAAN

AKTIVITI KERJA / WORK
ACTIVITIES NO. AND LAB 1: INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMETER
STATEMENT

(i) Do the measurement by using analog multimeter.

OBJEKTIF/ (ii) Give knowledge about the usage of analog multimeter and its functions.
OBJECTIVES
(iii) Practice how to read the scale and set the range of multimeter.

NAMA DAN NO MATRIK/

NAME AND MATRIX NUMBER

ITEM MARKS

/5
1. Attendance
/5
2. Participation
UNTUK KEGUNAAN
PENGAJAR SAHAJA/ / 15
3. Results/Calculation/Graph
FOR INSTRUCTORS ONLY
4. Discussion / 10

/5
5. Conclusion
TOTAL MARKS / 40
TITLE : Analog multimeter measurement & application

OBJECTIVES : At the end of this experiment, students should be able to:

i. Do the measurement by using analog multimeter.
ii. Give knowledge about the usage of analog multimeter and its
functions.
iii. Practice how to read the scale and set the range of multimeter.

EQUIPMENT LIST : Analog Multimeter

Digital Multimeter
Bread board
Wire clips

THEORY:

Multimeters are very useful test instruments. There are two types of multimeter: Analog multimeter
and digital multimeter. Analog meters use the force within the circuit to move a pointer to a scale
position. Digital meters sense the force within the circuit and convert it to an ordinary number.

By operating a multi-position switch on the meter, they can be quickly and easily set to be a
voltmeter, an ammeter or an ohmmeter. In other words, this instrument is used to measure
resistance, current and voltage in electric circuit. It is also used to test electronic component such as
resistor, capacitor, inductor, diode, transistor and etc. Besides, we can check the condition of these
components whether good or not.

If we looked at the analog multimeter, this equipment is classified into 6 basic divisions:

1. Control Unit
Control unit can be set followed by measurement unit as we need. For example, if we want to
measure alternating voltage and current (AU/AC), we must set the control unit to AVC
(alternating current voltage) and so on.

2. Reading Scale
Reading scale has several curve line with certain unit such as DCV.A, AVC, and so on.
Electric quantity is measured in this meter by the reading scale.

3. Pointer
The pointer is moving on the reading scale to show you the value of the electric quantity
being measured.

4. Terminal Meter
There are two terminal meter named positive terminal and negative terminal. Both of terminal
are joint to test lead whereas the red color for positive terminal (+) and black color for negative
terminal (-).

5. The Pointer-Zero Adjustment (only for analog multimeter)

It is used to set the scale of volt and current on zero. An adjustment is not required if the
pointer is set to zero.

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 6. The Ohms-Zero Adjustment (only for analog multimeter)
Along the bottom of the meter panel marked as Ohms Zero. This knob is used to set the
fullscale deflection of the pointer whenever the function is set to Ohms. Full scale is usually
zero ohms. To set this:

i. Set function to ohms

ii. Set range to R x 1
iii. Touch probes together

Label of Each Indicator on the Analog Multimeter

RESISTOR SCALE
READING

DCV SCALE READING

POINTER READING

POINTER ADJUSTMENT
AT 0 Volt

OFF MULTIMETER RESISTOR SCALE

SELECTOR ADJUSTMENT TO 0Ω

ACV SELECTOR

DCV SELECTOR TRANSISTOR TESTING

RESISTOR SELECTOR

NEGATIVE TERMINAL
(-VE) CONNECTOR BUZZER
POSITIVE TERMINAL
(+VE) CONNECTOR
DC mA SELECTOR

Figure 1

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Measurement Method of Analog Multimeter

Analog meters take a little power from the circuit under test to operate their pointer. They must
have a high sensitivity of at least 20k /V or they may upset the circuit under test and give an
incorrect reading.

Batteries inside the meter provide power for the resistance ranges, they will last several years but
you should avoid leaving the meter set to a resistance range in case the leads touch accidentally
and run the battery flat.

Typical ranges for analog multimeter like the one illustrated in Figure 1.
(the voltage and current values given are the maximum reading on each
range)

• DC Voltage: 0.5 V, 2.5 V, 10 V, 50 V, 250 V, 1000 V.

• AC Voltage: 10 V, 50 V, 250 V, 1000 V.
• DC Current: 50 µA, 2.5 mA, 25 mA, 250 mA.
A high current range is often missing from this type of meter.
• AC Current: None. (You are unlikely to need to measure this).
• Resistance: 20 Ω, 200 Ω, 2 kΩ, 20 kΩ, 200 kΩ.
These resistance values are in the middle of the scale for each range.

If we looked at the reading scale of multimeter, we will see many colorful curve lines. Every line
is used for certain unit such as resistance ( ), direct voltage and current (DCV.A), alternating
voltage current (ACV) and so on (see Figure 2).

Figure 2

4
 A. Resistance Measurement

The resistance scale on an analog meter is normally at the top, it is an unusual scale
because it reads backwards and is not linear (evenly spaced). This is unfortunate,
but it is due to the way the meter works.

1. Set the meter to a suitable resistance range.

Choose a range so that the resistance you expect will be near the middle of the
scale. For example: with the scale shown below and an expected resistance of
about 50k choose the × 1k range.
2. Hold the meter probes together and adjust the control on the front of the
meter which is usually labeled "0 ADJ" until the pointer reads zero (on the
RIGHT remember!).
If you can't adjust it to read zero, the battery inside the meter needs replacing.

3. Put the probes across the component.

Avoid touching more than one contact at a time or your resistance will upset the
reading!

Choose scale range at x1. When the pointer shows at 20 scale reading, therefore the
total of resistance is 26 x 1 = 26.

B. DC Voltage Measurement
There are 3 ranges in this scale reading: 0 to 10, 0 to 50 and 0 to 250.
When u want to measure a voltage not more than 50V, the suitable scale range is 0 to
50V. For example, if the pointer shows at 20, the total of
Voltage measured is 20V.

If the voltage is around 0.1V, so suitable scale reading is 0 to 10V (10/100=0.1V). For
example, if the pointer shows at 8, the total of voltage measured is 8/100=0.08V.

C. DC Current Measurement
Scale range has been choosing is 25mA. The suitable scale reading is 0 to
250 (250/10=25mA). If pointer at 150, the total of current measured is
150/10=15mA.

Taking accurate readings

To take an accurate reading from an analogue scale

you must have your eye in line with the pointer.

Avoid looking at an angle from the left or right

because you will see a reading which is a little too
high or too low. Many analogue meters have a small
strip of mirror along the scale to help you. When your
Correct Wrong
eye is in the correct position the reflection of the
reflection hidden reflection visible
pointer is hidden behind the pointer itself. If you can
Figure 3 see the reflection you are looking at an angle.
5
Precautions

Multimeters are easily damaged by careless use so please take these steps:

• Always disconnect the multimeter before adjusting the range switch.

• Always check the setting of the range switch before you connect to a circuit.
• Never leave a multimeter set to a current range (except when actually taking a reading).
The greatest risk of damage is on the current ranges because the meter has a low resistance.

EXPERIMENT 1: READINGS OF ANALOG MULTIMETER

Procedures:

1. DC Voltage Readings (unit volt)

i. Please ensure the positive prove (red) in positive (+) terminal and negative probe
(black) in negative (-) terminal.
ii. Select the selector to DCV in 250 DVC (Figure 4)

Figure 4

iii. Look the black color scale and find the maximum scale. The
maximum scale at Point 1 (250) based on selector value 250
DVC.
iv. Look the scale at point 2 and take the reading in Figure 5.

v. The reading shows at ___ in volt DC unit.

6
 Point
2

Point
1

Figure 5

2. Resistor value reading (unit Ω)

i. Please ensure the positive prove (red) in positive (+) terminal and negative probe
(black) in negative (-) terminal.

ii. Before make reading the resistor measurement at the selector switch of analog
multimeter, the best practice touch two probe positive and negative and make 0 Ω
adjustment for resistor measurements.

iii. Example: Select the selector to Ω range at x100 (Figure 6).

Figure 6

iv. Look at top of black color scale and find the number in Ω based from the right at 0 Ω.

iv. Look scale at point 1 and take the reading of scale in Figure 7.

vi. The reading shows at 10 Ω (multiply) the value at the scale (100 Ω).

vii. The final result = in Ω unit.

7
 Point
1

Figure 7

3. AC volt reading (unit volt)

i. Plug the red test lead into the OUTPUT socket and the black one into the –COM.

ii. Set the range selector at the selected range position.

iii. Example: Select the selector in ACV range at 50 (Figure 8).

Figure 8

iv. Look the black color scale and find the maximum scale. The maximum scale at POINT
1 (50) based on selector value 50 AVC.

v. Look the scale at point 2 and take the reading in Figure 9.

vi. The reading shows at in AC volt unit.

8
 Point
2

Point
1

Figure 9

4. DC Ampere reading (unit mA)

i. Place the red test lead into + socket and the black into the –COM for DCA range at
50 µA – 250 mA.

ii. Place the red test lead into the DC 10A MAX socket and the black into –COM for DCA
range at 250mA – 10A.

iii. Set the range selector at a selected DCA range position.

iv. Example: Select the selector to DCmA range in 250 (Figure 10).

Figure 10

9
 v. Look the black color scale and find the maximum scale. The maximum scale at POINT
1 (250) based on selector value 250 DCV.A

vii. Look the scale at point 2 and take the reading in Figure 11.

viii. The reading shows at DC current at mA unit.

Point
2

Point
1

Figure 11

10
EXERCISES:

1. Reading on the Scale in Figure 12.

Figure 12

Based at pointer on the scale of multimeter, write the reading value at the every range
below:

Selector Range Reading Unit

DCV 50
DCV 2.5
DCA 0.25
Resistor X1 Ω
Resistor X1KΩ
ACV 1000

Table 1

DISCUSSIONS:

1. Analog Multimeter can check the condition of components whether good or not. Discuss on
how to check the condition of switch and fuse.

2. Discuss the advantages using Digital Multimeter than Analog Multimeter.

11