Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [multimeter]

A multifunction measuring instrument used for measuring AC and DC voltage [V] and current [A] as well as resistance [Ω]. Many digital multimeters can also measure frequency [Hz], duty cycle [%], capacitance [F], temperature [°C], and/or other electrical or physical properties. Most are handheld; more expensive bench models are also available for applications requiring high precision.

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How should I use a multimeter to determine which AA batteries to keep and which to toss?

I have a bag of about 50 non-rechargeable AA batteries (1.5 V) that I have collected over the years. I bought a multimeter recently and would like to know the best way to test these batteries to determine which ones I should keep and which I should…
LeopardSkinPillBoxHat
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Why don't typical digital multimeters measure inductance?

Even with predominantly digital circuits, I am using inductors much more often than I used to, generally because of all the buck or boost converters (a recent board I was involved in has 12 different voltage rails -- six of them needed just by the…
tcrosley
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If I am measuring 2.3 V on a 1.5 V AA battery from Duracell, is my multimeter broken?

I recently measured a brand new Duracell AA battery which is labeled as 1.5 V. The reading was 2.3 V. Is this ever normal for a fully charged battery, or is my multimeter broken?
merlin2011
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Multimeter exploded during ACV measurment - What did I do wrong?

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab A DT-830B meter. I bought a new transformer, and I was trying to measure the output voltage. I plugged the probes on 'VΩmA' (not 10 A) and COM. and set it to 750(not 100% sure if i put it…
user100933
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What does the multimeter dial do internally?

Everyone who has ever handled a multimeter is familiar with these dials. The position of the dial indicates the maximum range of the quantity that can be measured. But why are we required to adjust the maximum range ourselves? What happens…
S. Rotos
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Capacitor Gaining Voltage Over Time?

I recently bought two 3300uf 100v capacitors and have connected them in parallel. I charge them up to 100v and discharge them. I then hook up a multimeter and notice the voltage going up very slowly, about .01 volts every 20-40 seconds. So I…
Erik
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What does it mean when multimeter accuracy is marked as: ±0,03%+10Digit?

I have a digital multimeter and its accuracy for VDC is marked like this: ±0,03%+10Digit This multimeter has maximum display of 80000. So in the 80 V range it can show for example 79.999V. 0.03% of 80V is 0.024V - that is clear for me. But what…
ria
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What not to do with a Multimeter

So I just bought and installed a new fuse for an analog multimeter I scored for free and now it works like a charm. The new fuse is the same rating as the blown one I found inside, which is 0.5A 250V. The meter has a warning symbol consisting of…
Alex W
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How do we know that voltmeters are accurate?

Something that has always puzzled me is how we know the accuracy of voltmeters. From googling around, it seems that today's digital voltmeters use an ADC. An ADC works by comparing the voltage that is to be measured against a highly precise known…
John Allen
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What is the easiest way to connect a breadboard to a multimeter?

The test leads on my multimeter are too large to fit in the holes in my breadboard. How can I easily connect my multimeter to test voltage on my breadboard?
Anonymous Penguin
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Why are multimeter batteries awkward to replace?

I teach introductory physics labs, and inevitably when we do our labs on introductory circuits or mapping electrostatic potentials, there are one or more multimeters whose batteries die or fuses blow. This is always something of a hassle, since you…
Michael Seifert
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Do digital multimeters require calibration?

This article Understanding Digital Multimeter DMM Specifications / Specs mention A digital multimeter will only be able to meet its specifications when it is within a certain environment. Conditions such as temperature, humidity and the like will…
user275517
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Where to leave the test leads on a Fluke multimeter

I think this is somewhat of a "trade secret". Being a software engineer for embedded devices myself, I often find myself using oscilloscopes and multimeters. I have always wondered about my Fluke 87-V and all flukes before that. They have these…
Stijn
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Is it worth really buying a Fluke for hobbyist use?

Well, the question is the title: Is it worth really buying a Fluke for hobbyist use? I have a cheap meter at the moment. Is it worth spending a 3 figure sum on a nice, shiny, new Fluke? I honestly don't think so, but I'm curious what other's…
Thomas O
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Determine voltage drop over 10G resistors with cheap multimeter

I have two 10G resistors connected in series with a 3V battery. I want to determine the voltage drop across one of them, which of course is 1.5V. When I use my multimeter to check the voltage drop, it reads ~3mV, which I believe is because it has a…
John Smith
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