Experiment 0: Basic Measurements

Gene Laser Andrew E. Orion, Justin Gerald H. Gonzales

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute
University of the Philippines Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines
Abstract This experiment aims to use the multimeter, to
familiarize its functions and to determine its advantages and
disadvantages in measuring the different basic electric
measurements by analysing the discrepancy of the results. In this
experiment, the analogue multimeter is used in measuring voltages,
currents and resistances wherein actual and true values were
compared by calculating their respective percent error.

flowing in the resistor. Thus, making the 10k range the least
sensitive.
After these preparations, zeroing the meter and switching
to the significant resistor range, the group identified the colour
codes and measured the resistance of the resistors given by
instructor shown in Table 1.

I. INTRODUCTION
A multimeter is an electrical device used to immediately
measure the alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)
voltages, currents and resistances. It acts as an ammeter, an
ohmmeter and a voltmeter at the same time which is commonly
used to pinpoint malfunctions in electric systems.
Multimeters can be further classified into two subgroups:
analog and digital. They vary in their method of measurement
and their means of display. Analog multimeters use a moving
pointer to display readings while its digital counterpart has a
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen which gives a straight
forward decimal read out.
Despite being commonly used, multimeters still generate
errors because they create uncertainties which results to
inaccuracy. Nevertheless, the main objective of this experiment
is to practice the proper way of handling and using the device.
Also, it aims to familiarize the functions of a multimeter and to
be able to know how to read and interpret results. To make this
possible, the group compared the values obtained in the
experiment and the values obtained through calculation to the
theoretical values, and interpreted the results using theories.

TABLE I
RESISTANCE OF DIFFERENT RESISTORS

II. EXPERIMENT, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This experiment has five parts wherein it highlights the
functions of a multimeter. During the experiment, only the
analog multimeter (AMM) was used. This will make the results
and analyses limited only to the analog multimeters scope.
A. Measuring Resistances using Ohmmeter
Before measuring resistances, the scale must be zeroed
every time the resistance range is changed. In order to do this,
short the two metal leads by touching the metallic points
together and use the adjustment knob to calibrate the
multimeter to zero.
Ohmmeters measure resistances by depending on the
current that flows through the resistor. Based from the meter,
the least sensitive resistance range is the 10k range. Based from
Ohms Law, current and resistance are inversely proportional
to each other. Meaning, as the resistance range increases, the
current becomes less significant providing a very low current

Resistors

Color Code
(indicate
colors)

Resistance
based on Color
Code ()

Resistance
based on
AMM ()

Ra

Orange, White,
Brown, Gold

390

380

Rb

Orange, White,
Brown, Gold

56000

56000

Rc

Orange, White,
Brown, Gold

910000

900,000

Based from Table 1, all the resistances measured using the

AMM were only up to two significant figures. This is due to
uncertainties in estimations, when you increase the significant
figures of the resistances the third significant digit would be
very hard to guess making it very prone to errors. Also, the
calibration of the ohmmeter is ideally designed for two
significant figures only going beyond that deducing its value
would be very difficult to do. As much as possible, the values
measured were to the nearest degrees.
B. Measuring Voltage and Current
During this part of the experiment, the group used two DC
power supplies. Before measuring voltages, set the function on
the front of the AMM to DC voltage (VDC) and the range was
switched to the highest scale to prevent any damage to the
AMM. Turn on the power supply and turn the output voltage
all the way up for the maximum voltage and all the way down
for the minimum voltage.
After setting it up, make sure to observe proper polarity.
Touch the AMM leads to the output jacks of the DC supply. If
the needle moves to the left instead of to the right, switch the
lead positions. Select a scale that places the needle as high as
possible in the scale, without pegging the needle. Then, start
measuring.

TABLE II
POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGES

Power
Supply

Minimum Voltage
(mV)

Maximum Voltage
(V)

PS1

0.0029

30.9

PS2

0.0009

32.4

Based from the results, the ideal minimum and maximum

voltages were not met because first of all, the materials used
were not ideal. Also the voltmeter, even though it has a very
high resistance there will always be small amounts of current
that will flow through the meter. This will cause potential
differences in the terminals. Furthermore, ideal maximum
voltage wasnt able to be achieved since most, if not all
voltmeters have limits to their range.
C. Determining Resistances Using Voltage and Current
Measurements
In order to measure resistance using voltage and current
measurements, the group generated a circuit containing two
resistors R1 and R2 with values 1k and 5.1k , respectively.
They are both connected in series with the 10 V power supply.
To start measuring the voltage across R2, the voltmeter was
connected parallel to R2. Then, the AMMs function switch was
set to read VDC and the scale switch to the range appropriate for
measuring 10 V. Then, turn on the power supply and remember
to take note of the voltage polarity before measuring anything.

Fig.2. Circuit representation of measuring voltage through R2.

This time the AMM was connected in series with R2 to

measure the current through it because objects in series
experience the same current. Meaning, connecting it in series
will make the current to be measured to flow directly through
the device. Connecting ammeters in parallel can seriously
damage the device. This device has a very low resistance
minimizing the potential drop. Mistakenly connected in
parallel with a circuit can result to extreme high currents and
might destroy the ammeter.
After obtaining the voltage across and current through R2,
the power dissipated by it can now be calculated using the
formula, P=IV, wherein P stands for power, I for current and V
for voltage. The solution and the calculated value is shown
below:
= = (8.30 ) (1.65 ) = 0.012395
D. Computing Resistance and Error
In this section, the actual resistance of the resistors will be
computed via Ohms law. The three resistors used in part A
would be used as test subjects. A circuit similar to that used in
part C would be utilized, wherein each resistor used in part A
would be used as R2. The voltage and current of each resistor
were recorded and using this data, new resistance values were
calculated using Ohms law. The data is tabulated in Table III
with solutions shown below:
=

3.09
= 412
7.5

9.80
= 49
0.2

10.0
= 909
11

Fig.1. Circuit representation of measuring voltage across R2.

The AMM was connected parallel to R2 in order to measure

the right voltage. To determine the electric potential difference
between two points the voltmeter should be connected in
parallel with the circuit element. Also, elements connected in
parallel experience same potential difference. Furthermore,
connecting it in series will always make the readings display
zero since the electric potential difference between two points
at the same line is zero.
After measuring the voltage across R2, the AMM was set to
measure DC current. After doing all necessary scaling and first
hand preparations, the AMM was reconnected to the circuit to
measure the current through R2 as shown in Fig. 2.

TABLE III
VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND RESISTANCE VIA OHMS LAW

Resistors

VR2 (V)

IR2 (A)

Resistance of R2 ()
computed using Ohms Law

Ra

3.09

7.5 m

412.0

Rb

9.80

0.2 m

49.0 k

Rc

10.0

11.0 u

909.1 k

Error calculations would then be performed to determine

the percent error of the computations. The resistors color code

would be the true value of the resistor and the resistance value
measured by the ohmmeter was assumed as the actual value.
The solutions are shown below:
: % = |
: % = |
: % = |

390 380
| 100% = 2.56 %
390

56 56
| 100% = 0.00 %
56

910 900
| 100% = 1.10 %
910

Several factors, known or unknown could have contributed

to the percentage error shown. According to Emery [2],
possible sources of errors would be, using the instrument
wrongly, built-in errors in the machines and external
conditions affecting the system. A simple example of using an
instrument wrongly would be instances of parallax, wherein
the scale of a measuring instrument is read from an angle not
directly in front of it.
Machine errors would include deterioration of the
equipment/s used. Some equipment such as the resistor or the
voltmeter might have been damaged unknowingly. Although
some cases would have little effect, they would still contribute
to a percent error of the experiment. Moreover, external factors
such as temperature and others could also have little or
significant contribution to the percentage error of the setup.
Error calculations were repeated using the computed
resistance using Ohms law in Part D was now used as the
actual value. The solutions are shown below.
: %

: % = |

56 49
| 100% = 12.50 %
56

910 909
| 100% = 0.11 %
910

Table IV shows all percent errors calculated. The

calculations above, show that percentage error has increased in
Ra and Rb, while Rc had a decrease in percentage error. This
may be due to the increase of number of measurements as
voltage and current measurements accuracy couldve affected
the results. Also, previous factors stated could also play a role
in the errors. This shows that the multimeter is not ideal as it
tends have inconsistencies.
TABLE IV
ERROR CALCULATIONS

Resist
ors

Resistanc
e ()
Color
Code

Resistan
ce ()
Ohmmet
er

Ra

390

380

eAM
M

(%)
2.56

56000

56000

0.00

49000

12.5

Rc

910

900000

1.10

909000

0.11

E. Power Ratings
To obtain the power ratings, a circuit of similar design to
that used in part C was used. The two resistors used for R1 and
R2 had values of 100 and 50 respectively. Each resistors
voltage, current, and power were computed. The computations
are shown below:
100
20
1 = 10 (
)=
= 6.67
150
3
50
1020
2 = 10 (
)=
= 3.33
150
3
6.67
1
1 = 2 = (
)=
= 0.067
150
15
20 1
4
1 = ( ) ( ) = = 0.44
3 15
9
10 1
2
2 = ( ) ( ) = = 0.22
3 15
9
Adding both powers dissipated by the resistor, we get a
power dissipation of 0.66 W. Given the current in the circuit,
we can solve for the power delivered by the voltage source:
= (10)(0.067) = 0.67

390 412
=|
| 100% = 5.64 %
390

: % = |

Rb

Resistanc
e ()
Ohms
Law

eOL
(%)

412

5.64

Adding both the power delivered and dissipated, we get a

zero net power in the circuit. Another set-up was used of the
same circuit design however R1 now had a value of 100 k.
Again power ratings of this circuit were calculated and the
computations are:
1000
20
1 = 10 (
)=
= 9.52
1050
21
50
10
2 = 10 (
)=
= 0.48
1050
21
9.52
1
1 = 2 = (
)=
= 0.0095
1000
105
200 40
40
1 = (
)(
)=
= 0.091
21 441
441
10
1
2
2 = ( ) (
)=
= 0.00454
21 105
441
= (10)(0.0095) = 0.095

After replacing R1 and computing again for the power

ratings, it is again concluded that sum of the power dissipated
by both R1 and R2 (0.091 + 0.00454 = 0.095 W) is equal to the
power delivered by the voltage source which is also 0.095W.
From the two solutions, it can be concluded that the circuit
is intact and there is no leakage within it. Also, the first set-up
in this part used a smaller resistance value compared to the
other, resulting to a larger current and larger power within the
circuit.
III. CONCLUSION
In this experiment, basic measurements of voltage,
current and resistance was done using an analog multimeter.
The experiment involved set-ups that showcase the capability
of the multimeter to measure values in a circuit without the
need of computing. This test also shows its limitations of the
device as shown that the analog multimeter is prone to errors
when measuring values. This concludes that, multimeters are
helpful tools in measuring values in circuit elements however,
proper usage must be followed in order to avoid errors and to
get accurate and precise results when measuring.
REFERENCES
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

6.

Aplusphysics. Electrical Meters. [Online]. Available:http://www.aplusph

ysics.com/courses/honors/circuits/meters.html
Boundless. Voltmeters and Ammeters. [Online]. Available: https://www.
boundless.com/physics/textbooks/boundless-physics-textbook/circuits-an
d-direct-currents-20/voltmeters-and-ammeters-153/voltmeters-and-amme
ters-542-11287/
J.W. Nilsson and S. A. Riedel, Electric Circuits, 9th ed., One Lake Street,
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2011.
R. Emery. Measurement and Errors. [Online]. Available: http://
http://webs.mn.catholic.edu.au/physics/emery/measurement.htm#Exp
Boundless. Voltmeters and Ammeters. [Online]. Available:
https://www.boundless.com/physics/textbooks/boundless-physics-textbo
ok/circuits-and-direct-currents-20/voltmeters-and-ammeters-153/voltmet
ers-and-ammeters-542-11287/
Wisegeek. What is a multimeter?. [Online]. Available:http://www.wisege
ek.org/what-is-a-multimeter.htm