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Electronics Hobbies: Different Types of Meters

As you begin to design your own custom printed circuit boards, you’ll need to be able to measure various aspects of the current in your circuit. Handheld meters can measure everything from voltage to amps to ohms. The all important tools have been designed to assist you in everything from identifying general problem areas to taking very precise measurements within the PCB or circuit.

Find Out How To design Custom Printed Circuit Boards.

meter Readout: Analog or Digital
There are usually two ways that meters display measurements: digital or analog.

Analog displays have pointers that move over a graduated scale marked in increments for the value that you are measuring. Taking a very exact measurement is no simple task. It really is dependent on the scale's increments. To take the most precise measurement possible, the eye must line up over the needle or pointer.

Digital displays provide more accurate measurements because of their ability to display the exact measurement taken. If given a choice between analog and digital, a digital meter will usually best meet your needs. They are easy to read, may be connected in reverse, and rarely affect the circuit under test.

Types of Meters

Designing a PCB requires you to measure the performance of your circuit. Keep reading to learn more about some of the meters and measurements.

Voltmeter
A voltmeter is used to measure the difference between two points in an electrical circuit or voltage. Since analog meters draw more current, a digital voltmeter will show a much more accurate reading.

Ammeter
Ammeters will show how much current is in a circuit by displaying the measurement in amperes. If your design calls for millampere and microampere measurements, ammeters can measure those as well.

Galvanometer
If you have a small circuit, it may require a measurement of a single milliampere or less. For those circuits, you will use a special ammeter known as a galvanometer.

Ohmmeter
An ohmmeter is used to measure electrical resistance in circuit and displays in ohms.

Use These Meters When Designing a PCB

Multimeter
Most electronics hobbyists will only need a multimeter as a test instrument. Doing the job of 3 different meters, the multimeter can precisely measure ohms, volts, and amperes. A handful of multimeters will even measure frequency and capacitance.
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