Analog Multi-meters Vs Digital Multi-meters

Rana T Rehman ENG 352-005 12-15-2008

Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................1 Principle...........................................................................................................................................2 Multi-meters History........................................................................................................................2 Analog Vs Digital Comparison........................................................................................................3 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6 References........................................................................................................................................6 Annotated Bibliography...................................................................................................................7

Abstract
This article is a comparison of Analog Multi-meter and Digital Multi-meters. Multi-meter is an electrical measuring instrument. We can measure current, voltage and resistor from these multi-meters. There are two kind of multi-meter. First of all an Analog Multi-meter invented. When it invented, it was very huge metal Box. It also got effected easily from its surrounding magnetic fields. It has so many errors as it affected so quick from its surroundings. When technology changed from magnetic coil indicator in to Liquid Crystal Display, the life style changed completely. And this is the time when people think to change big and heavy multi-meter in to small and compact multi-meter. So, we can get the values in digits and errorless.

Introduction
Multi-meters are the meters use in electrical measurements. These Multi-meters are very useful device in electrical engineering. It works on the basic law of Electrical Engineering. The law used on this meter measurement is a simple Ohms Law. From this Law Total voltage across the two points in a circuit is equal to the product of current and resistor inside the circuit [1] They are also a multi-tester and sometime known as volt/ohm meter or VOM. It is one of the basic and very important electric measuring instruments that do several functions in one unit. The features of a multi-meter or VOM are to measure Voltage, Current and Resistance.

Principle
The basic principle of VOM is simply Ohms Law. The Ohms Law stated that Voltage is equal to the product of Resistance in the circuit and current flowing in the circuit. V=IxR V = Voltage I = Current R = Resistor As we are discussing here the Multi-meter or VOM, that measures Voltage, Current and Resistor in circuit, I am going to describe these three in Ohms Law. I - Current is what flows on a wire or conductor like water flowing down a river. Current flows from negative to positive on the surface of a conductor. Current is measured in (A) amperes or amps. V - Voltage is the difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit. It's the push or pressure behind current flow through a circuit, and is measured in (V) volts. R - Resistance determines how much current will flow through a component. Resistors are used to control voltage and current levels. A very high resistance allows a small amount of current to flow. A very low resistance allows a large amount of current to flow. Resistance is measured in Ohms.

Multi-meters History
There are two categories of multi-meters, analog multi-meters and digital multimeters, also abbreviated as DMM or DVOM. A multi-meter can be a hand-held device useful for basic measurements of Voltage, Current and Resistor. In electrical engineering, 2

these three measurements are extremely important because we can find all faults from these three measuring in big complicated circuits in industries. This fault finding in industrial field work can also measure to a very high accuracy. They can also use VOM to troubleshoot electrical problems in industrial and household devices such as batteries, motor, appliances, power supplies, and wiring systems.

Figure 1 Analog Multi-Meter [1]

Analog Vs Digital Comparison

There are many types of multi-meters available with different features and prices. Cheap multi-meters can cost less than US$10, while the top of the line multi-meters can cost more than US$5000.The resolution of a multi-meter is often specified in "digits" of resolution. For example, the term 5 digits refer to the number of digits displayed on the readout of a multi-meter. Half digit can display either a zero or a one, while a threequarters digit can display a numeral higher than a one but not nine. Commonly, a three-quarters digit refers to a maximum value of 3 or 5. The fractional digit is always the most significant digit in the displayed value. A 5 digit multi-meter would have five full digits that display values from 0 to 9 and one half digit that could only display 0 or 1. Such a meter could show positive or negative values from 3

0 to 199,999. A 3 digit meter can display a quantity from 0 to 3,999 or 5,999, depending on the manufacturer.

Figure 2 Analog Multi-Meter [2] Digital display can easily be extended in precision; the extra digits are of no value if not accompanied by care in the design and calibration of the analog portions of the multi-meter. Meaningful high-resolution measurements require a good understanding of the instrument specifications, good control of the measurement conditions, and traceability of the calibration of the instrument. Specifying "display counts" is another way to specify the resolution. Display counts give the largest number, or the largest number plus one (so the count number looks nicer) the multi-meter' display can show, ignoring a decimal separator. For example, a 5 digit multi-meter can also be specified as a 199999 display count or 200000 display count multi-meter.

Figure 3 Digital Multi-Meter In the display count is just called the count in multi-meter specifications. In some designs the underlying analog-to-digital converter mechanism may have more or less digits of precision than displayed. A Resolution of analog multi-meters is limited by the width of the scale pointer, vibration of the pointer, the accuracy of printing of scales, zero calibration, number of ranges, and errors due to non-horizontal use of the mechanical display. Accuracy of readings obtained is also often compromised by miscounting division markings, errors in mental arithmetic, parallax observation errors, and less than perfect eyesight. They have mirrored scales and larger meter movements are used to improve resolution; two and a half to three digits equivalent resolution is usual. Resistance measurements, in particular, are of low precision due to the typical resistance measurement circuit which compresses the scale heavily at the higher resistance values.

Conclusion
Multi-meters are still in use but Digital Multi-meter is easy to use and there are less chances of error there. But Analog Multi-Meter is still effective, and used in some places. But Analog meters are going to absolute because Digital VOM are becoming more popular of there small size, less weight, error less and cheap price.

Figure 3 Fluke Digital Multi-Meter

References
1. Analog Multimeters Handhelds Instruments, Electro-Meters, 5 December 2008. <http://www.electro-meters.com/Triplett/T_M/AMMs/310_series.htm>. 2. Analog VOM Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter, Simpson 260 Series, 5 December 2008. <http://www.simpson260.com/260-6/simpson_260-6.htm>. 3."Fluke 289 True-rms Industrial Logging Multimeter with Trend Capture", Find Little Problems Before They Become Big Ones, 5 December 2008. <http://us.fluke.com/usen/products/Fluke+289.htm?trck=289>.

Annotated Bibliography
Analog Multimeters Handhelds Instruments, Electro-Meters, <http://www.electrometers.com/Triplett/T_M/AMMs/310_series.htm>, Accessed Dec 05, 2008. This is an article that is exactly what I was looking for it will supply me with data that I need for old Analog Multi-meter. This is a very useful website but there is no listed author and it is in company website, the company that make one of multi-meter I am describing in my research that has a lot of information. I am sure the information provided on this site is good and authentic because this product belongs to same company. Also, since it is from a company website, it has a greater chance of being true than if it were in an advertisement But I dont know why they didnt mention author name. May be there is more then one author or whole group of people that belong to a companys department. It has right information as I needed for this research and thats a lot of information, but Im not sure I will use all of it. However, some of the illustrations are good. Analog VOM Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter, Simpson 260 Series , <http://www.simpson260.com/260-6/simpson_260-6.htm>, Accessed Dec 05, 2008 This is a website that will supply me with data that I need for Simpson 260 Analog Multimeter. The company that makes one of multi-meter I am differentiating in my research that has a lot of information. I am sure the information provided on this site is good and true because this product belongs to same company. May be there is more then one author/engineer or whole group of that companys department thats why they didnt include author name in this website. It has right information as I needed for this research and thats a lot of information, but Im not sure I will use all of it. However, some of the illustrations are good. It also has images that I can use in the proposal. Ebay Website, < http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Model-310-C-Triplett-Analog-VOM-Multimeter3022_W0QQitemZ250200081519QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting>, Accessed Dec. 5, 2008. This is a store-type website that I am going to use in my proposal because it has some pictures that is required in my topic to explain briefly. It also has images that I can use in the proposal. I will also use the price listed in my proposal. Ebay Website, < http://cgi.ebay.com/SIMPSON-260-SERIES-6-VOM-METER-VOLT-OHMMILLIAMMETER_W0QQitemZ260327253849QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081205? IMSfp=TL0812051210001r15345>, Accessed Dec 5, 2008 This is a commercial store-type website that I am going to use in my proposal because it has some pictures that is required in my topic. It also has images that I can use in the proposal. I will also use the price listed in my proposal.

"Fluke 289 True-rms Industrial Logging Multimeter with Trend Capture", Find Little Problems Before They Become Big Ones, <http://us.fluke.com/usen/products/Fluke+289.htm?trck=289>, Accessed Dec 5, 2008. This is the website of the one of the leading company in measuring instrument industries in Electrical Engineering. They provide the best instrument with latest technology in our modern world where every calculation and observation makes a difference of millions of dollars in big contracts. The information I received from this website is absolutely correct as they are the inventors of digital measuring instrument industries. I got all information I needed from this company website as they are so much concerned to demonstrate there product in well organized manner. I had all information about description, pictures, specifications, working environment, and interfacing option with its price, all in same website. The Application Guide, Ohms Law, <http://www.the12volt.com/ohm/ohmslaw.asp>, Accessed Dec 6, 2008. This site has most of the definition used in my article. As I am studying electrical engineering and I am in senior year. I have these definitions in my head. So, I can see my self that these definitions are right and very well defined. Thats the reason I use this site as a reference to my work to you.