Electrical Units of

Measurement
Voltage, current and resistance
cannot be seen, but can be
measured.
Some of the numerical values can
be very small, it is easier to use
electrical shorthand.
It’s is quicker to jot down 8M
instead of 8,000,000 ohms
resistance.
Circuit symbols
Any electrical schematic, or
drawing can be compared with a
diagram in which symbols are
instead of pictures for the various
components.
The symbols are used in an effort
to make the diagrams easier to
draw and understand.
Battery Symbol
Resistance Symbol
Ground Symbol
Electrical Units of
Measurement
Measurement Devices
A Voltmeter is used to measure
voltage potential…
 Always: placed across the device.
 Never: placed in series with device.
 Units: Volts (V) and Millivolts (mV).
An ammeter is used to measure
current flow…
 Always: placed in series with the
device. (May require a shunt).
 Never: placed across the device.
 Units: Amps (A) and Milliamps (mA)
An ohmmeter is to measure
resistance…
 Always: placed across the device. (May
require device to be disconnected to isolate
from parallel loads.)
 Never: test while power is applied to
circuit. (The ohmmeter supplies its own
power.)
 Units:
 Ohms ( ) 1.0
 Kil-ohms (K ) 1,000
 Megohms (M ) 1,000,000
Multimeter
Sometimes called a V.O.M.
Measures voltage, current, and
resistance.
Uses a range select-switch to
choose function and sensitivity.
Read out is an analog-type swing
needle.
Digital Multimeter
Sometimes called a D.M.M.,
D.V.O.M.
Measures voltage, current, and
resistance with a high degree of
accuracy.
Uses a range select-switch to
choose function and sensitivity.
Read out is digital-type liquid
crystal display (LED) or light-
emitting-diode (LED) display.
What’s the Big Deal About
Digital Multimeters
Meters are meters… or are they?
 When working with circuits which
have a very small flow the meter used
can have a significant effect on the
current in the circuit.
 If delicate components are involved,
circuits can be damaged and
measurement effectiveness can be
questionable.
 The internal resistance of the meter
should be considered as a parallel
resistor added to the circuit.
 The higher the internal resistance of
the meter, the less current it will
drew.
 If the meter is an inexpensive analog
meter with a low internal resistance,
it can actually draw more current
than the circuit being measured can
handle.
Old analog meter (1950-
1960)
Typical internal resistance 1000 per
volt.
 In a 9-volt circuit the meter would
present a 9000 parallel resistance to
the circuit.
 9 volt x 1000 = 9000
Good Quality Analog Meter
Typical internal resistance 20,000
per volt
 In a 9-volt circuit the meter would
present a 180,000 parallel resistance
to the circuit.
 9 volts x 20,000 = 180,000
 If the circuits being measured have
larger branch resistance, accurate
measurements are not impossible.
High Quality Digital
Multimeter
Typical internal resistance
10,000,000 per volt.
 In a 9-volt circuit the meter would
present a 90,000,000 parallel
resistance to the circuit.
 9 volts x 10,000,000 = 90,000,000
 This resistance is so high, its like not
even having the meter there.
 Sampling current dose not affect the
circuit.