Agliones, Carl Te, Allan BS ME3

Albar, Aldrin Viola, Jessmar 6/25/14

Maravilla, Judge


Experiment 1: Analog Multimeter and Digital Multimeter

I. Digital Multimeter. Digital Multimeter, which is the newer type of the two multimeters, is
completely electronic in operation, and no mechanical components are involved in the
measurements. The whole operation of the device is based on electronic components. In
contrast to the operation of the analog multimeter, digital multimeter uses voltage to detect
the input signal. All the other measurements such as current and resistance are derived from
the voltage across the test leads. Digital multimeters display a numerical value as the output
which has a higher accuracy than the analog multimeters. Also, advanced digital multimeters
offer automatic ranging features so that the user do not have to select the range of the
measurement manually. Additionally, this becomes a safety feature too. Since no moving
parts are inside, the digital multimeters are unaffected by shocks such as the impact with a
solid surface.

II. Analog Multimeter. Analog Mutimeter is the older type of the two multimeters. Its operation
is based on a spring loaded moving coil mechanism positioned inside a magnet. When a
current flows through the coil, interaction between the induced magnetic field in the coil and
the fixed magnet create a force to move the coil. The needle connected to the coil moves
proportional to the force produced, where the force is proportional to the current flowing
through the coil. The moving needle points to the numbers marked on a dial, indicating the
amount of current passing through the coil. To measure voltage and resistance, the internal
circuit is attached to additional circuits such that current through the coil represent the voltage
or the resistance. This additional circuitry also gives multimeter the ability to operate on
different value ranges. For example, with a multimeter it is possible to measure 20mV and
200V, but the scale has to be set accordingly.

III. Contrast Between Digital and Analog Multimeter. Despite the fact that the two multimeters
are very useful, it is inevitable to contrast the two of which is better to use. Each of them has
its own advantages and disadvantages as well. The following are some contrast between the
two multimeters:

Analog multimeters give the output as a reading on a scale against a pointer, while digital
Multimeter output is in numerical form displayed on a LCD.
Analog multimeters give a continuous output and carry a greater uncertainty in the
measurement (about 3%), while digital multimeter measurements have a far less
uncertainty (about 0.5% or less). Digital multimeters are more accurate than analog
multimeters.

Digital multimeters have a better range of measurements than analog multimeters.
Digital multimeters offer additional features such as capacitance, temperature, frequency,
sound level measurements and detection of semiconductor device pins (transistor / diode).
Analog multimeters have to be calibrated manually, while most digital multimeters are
calibrated automatically before every measurement.
Analog multimeters have to be set for the specific range of measurement manually, while
some must digital multimeters have auto ranging feature.
Analog multimeters require practice to take good measurements, while digital multimeters
can be operated even by an untrained person.
Analog multimeters are less costly while digital multimeters are expensive.

Agliones, Carl Te, Allan BS ME3
Albar, Aldrin Viola, Jessmar 6/25/14
Maravilla, Judge
Ref: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-analog-and-vs-digital-multimeter/