analog multimeter , also: analogue multimeter
analog meter , also: analogue meter

Analog multimeters use a microammeter with a moving pointer to display readings.

A similar error occurs when reading the position of a pointer against a scale in an instrument such as an analog multimeter.

Analog multimeters continuously read the test value.

Standard analog multimeters measure with typically 3% accuracy, though instruments of higher accuracy are made.

Many analog multimeters feature a switch position marked "transit" to protect the meter movement during transportation.

An un-amplified analog multimeter combines a meter movement, range resistors and switches.

The sensitivity of an analog multimeter is given in units of ohms per volt.

Analog multimeters are common; a quality analog instrument will cost about the same as a DMM.

Most analog multimeters of the moving-pointer type are unbuffered, and draw current from the circuit under test to deflect the meter pointer.

Analog multimeters have the precision and reading accuracy limitations described above, and so are not built to provide the same accuracy as digital instruments.

Digital multimeters are now far more common but analog multimeters are still preferable in some cases, for example when monitoring a rapidly varying value.

If there are slight changes in readings, the needle of an analog multimeter will track them while digital multimeters may miss them or be difficult to read.

Build up a set of basic test equipment: Analog Multimeter, Digital Multimeter, Audio Signal Generator.

Red +/-2% Brown +/-1% Analog Multimeter The multimeter measures alternating and direct currents, voltages and resistance all on several ranges.

In the usual circuit found in analog multimeters, the meter deflection is inversely proportional to the resistance; so full-scale is 0 ohms, and high resistance corresponds to smaller deflections.

The meter movement in a moving pointer analog multimeter is practically always a moving-coil galvanometer of the d'Arsonval type, using either jeweled pivots or taut bands to support the moving coil.

The American Radio Relay League states in their Handbook for Radio Communications that analog multimeters that have no amplification circuitry are less susceptible to radio frequency interference.

To avoid the loading of the measured circuit by the current drawn by the meter movement, some analog multimeters use an amplifier inserted between the measured circuit and the meter movement.

A properly functioning capacitor should allow current to flow when voltage is applied, then the current slowly decreases to zero and this "signature" is easy to see on an analog multimeter but not on a digital multimeter.

More expensive, (and mechanically more delicate) multimeters typically have sensitivities of 20,000 ohms per volt and sometimes higher, with 50,000 ohms per volt (drawing 20 microamperes at full scale) being about the upper limit for a portable, general purpose, non-amplified analog multimeter.

A crude idea of the capacitance can be derived with an analog multimeter in a high resistance range by observing the needle when first connected; current will flow to charge the capacitor and the needle will "kick" from infinite indicated resistance to a relatively low value, and then drift up to infinity.