Information Sheet 1.1.

Analog Multimeter Parts and Functions

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson students should be able to

1. Determine the parts and function of an analog multimeter /multitester.

2. Read resistance, voltage and current from resistors, motor and power source.

3. Apply safety measures in using the multimeter/multitester.

In this module, you will learn the basics of using an analog multi-tester or multi-meter.

We are using a SANWA-360TRF Model as our preference. If you already have a multi-tester

different from this one, don’t worry any model is fine.

Figure 1 Parts of Multitester

Function of each parts of a Multi-Tester

Pointer- is a movable part of the multitester which reflects or indicates the reading
Scale (meter scale) - is used to identify the amount of voltage, current, and resistance of the
circuit.
Zero position adjuster- is design for calibrating the needle of the tester if it is not located in
the infinity sign and not ranging the zero value.
Range selector knob – is the selector or indicator of the function of the multimeter.
Test pins – it is the conductor of the test prod usually made of stainless or copper
Test probes – is compose of two test prod, positive (color red), and negative test prod (color
black).
This will guide you into a simple way of learning on how to measure:

a) DC Voltage — A voltage in the battery (dry cell or wet cell) or from a rectified power supply.
It is measured using a DCV (Dc voltmeter).

b) AC Voltage — A voltage in the mains-outlet (220 Vac) or from unrectified power supply. It
is measured using an ACV (Ac voltmeter).

c) Resistance — Resistance of a resistor, semiconductor and a wire or coil of wire. It is

measured using an Ω (Ohmmeter).

d) Current — A small current flowing in the circuit. It is measured using DCA (Dc ammeter).

In this image you will see the corresponding names of its parts to get familiar with as shown
in figure 1.

You may have noticed in this image (in the range selector area), It is subdivided primarily

into four main sections.

1) ACV — is an AC voltmeter (enclosed with a red/yellow bracket) on upper-right side. It has 4

range of selections.

Here you can select:

1. Alternating
Current Voltage
(ACV) block

2. Direct
4. Resistance
current voltage
Block
(DCV) block
in OHMS
3. Direct
current millle
ampere Figure 2

a. 10 — select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 10 volts ac.

b. 50 — select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 5o volts ac but more than 10

volts ac.

c. 250 — select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 250 volts ac but more than 50

volts ac.

d. 750 — select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 750 volts ac but more than

250 volts ac.

2) DCV — is a DC voltmeter (enclosed with a white bracket) on upper-left side. It has 6 range of

selections.
Here you can select:

a. 0.1 — Select this range if the voltage to be measure is less than 0.1 volts dc. You may have

noticed how this range intersects with DCA (Dc ammeter section). Therefore it can be also used

as a dc ammeter but only within this range.

b. 0.25 — Select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 0.25 volts dc but more than

0.1 volts dc.

c. 2.5 — Select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 2.5 volts dc but more than

0.25 volts dc.

d. 10 — Select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 10 volts dc but more than 2.5

volts dc.

e. 50 — Select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 50 volts dc but more than 10

volts dc.

f. 250 — Select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 250 volts dc but more than

50 volts dc.

g. 1000 — Select this range if the voltage to be measured is less than 1000 volts dc but more

than 250 volts dc.

3) DCA — is a DC ammeter (enclosed with a white bracket) on lower-left side. It has 4 range of

selections.

Here you can select:

a. 50μ — Select this range if the current to be measured is less than 50 microampere.

b. 2.5m — Select this range if the current to be measured is less than 2.5 milliampere but more

than 50 microampere.

c. 25m — Select this range if the current to be measured is less than 25 milliampere but more
than 2.5 milliampere.

d. 0.25 — Select this range if the current to be measured is less than 250 milliampere but more
than 25 milliampere.

4) Ω — is an ohmmeter (enclosed with a white bracket) on lower-right side. It has 4 range of

selections.

Here you can select:

a. x1 — Select this range if the resistance to be measured is very low, ranging from 0 ohms
(short circuit) to 1kΩ.
b. x10 — Select this range if the resistance to be measured is ranging from 10Ω to 10kΩ.
c. x100 — Select this range if the resistance to be measured is ranging from 100Ω to 100kΩ.
d. x1k — Select this range if the resistance to be measured is ranging from 1kΩ to 1MΩ.
There are several practice that you need to know while making it as a habit when
using a multi-tester.
1. Before using a multi-tester, make sure the pointer points to infinity position. It should look
exactly like the image above.

By default, it should point exactly to infinity scale since it was properly set by the manufacturer.
If not, slowly turn the “zero position adjuster” until it points exactly to infinity position.

2. Before using an ohmmeter (it doesn’t matter what range you have used), always short the test
pins (red and black) to test if the pointer points to zero resistance. If not, turn the “zero ohm
adjuster knob” until it points to zero.

3. Be careful in using an ohmmeter — make sure you are doing resistance measurement and not
voltage measurement. Ohmmeter’s internal circuit is powered by a 3v battery. Accidental
voltage measurement will amplify the current inside the circuit and can cause severe damage.

4. Before doing voltage measurement, be sure to identify whether it is an AC (alternating

current) or DC (Direct Current) voltages.

5. Before doing voltage measurements, make sure you have selected the correct range so that
the voltage to be measured is lower than the range being selected.
 Self-Check 1.1.1

Direction: Fill in the blank. Write your answer on a separate sheet and compare your answer to

the answer key.

_________1. A voltage in the mains-outlet (220 VAC) or from unrectified power supply. It is

measured using an ACV (2.________).

_________3. A voltage in the battery (dry cell or wet cell) or from a rectified power supply. It

is measured using a DCV (4.___________).

_________5.A small current flowing in the circuit. It is measured using DCA (Dc ammeter).

_________ 6.Resistance of a resistor, semiconductor and a wire or coil of wire. It is measured

using an (7.___________).

Enumeration:
In the figure 2, what are the range in the ACV Block?

17, 18, 19 20.

In the figure 1, what are the range in the Resistance block?

21, 22, 23, 24.

In figure 1, what are the range to be selected when you are checking a direct current voltage (DCV?)

(24-29)
15

10 14

11

9 8

16
13
12

Information Sheet 1.1.2

How to read the meter scale of the multi tester

Measuring resistance on electronic components whether doing it individually or in-circuit, is

not simple unless you had learned how to read resistance scale using an ohmmeter of an analog

multitester. It’s not as hard as you think maybe by looking the overwhelming numbers and values.
Once you understand it, you will realize how simple it is.
As you can see in the image below in figure 3., resistance scale is located in the top most

part of a meter panel. You may have noticed a descending order of number. From left (∞) to

right (0). In practice, reading values always starts from zero. Therefore we will read resistance

values from right to left which is zero (0) to infinity (∞) .

Note: Reading resistance values is an exact opposite of reading “voltage” and “current” since

ACV (Ac voltmeter) and DCV (Dc voltmeter) scale is in ascending order. You may have noticed

how their values starts from left (0, 0, 0) to right (10, 50, 250).

Since we will read resistance values from right to left, see to it that the gaps between numbers are

not equally divided. Please don’t get so confused why it is not equal. In fact, it’s not a big deal.

After all what we need to learn is the value of each scale between each numbers. Those small

vertical lines that divide on each number is a scale. Each scale has a value with respect to each

nearest number.

Figure 3

 To fully understand it, we will make a list of numbers from zero (0) to infinity (∞) with its

individual scale and value.

 See the red lines below the resistance scale and compare it to the list below.

0–1 — is divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.2 ohm. Therefore 0.2 ohm multiplied by

5 scales is equal to 1 ohm.

1–2 — also divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.2 ohm. Therefore 0.2 ohm multiplied

by 5 scales is equal to 1 ohm. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 2 ohms.

2–5 — is divided by 6 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.5 ohm. Therefore 0.5 ohm multiplied by
6 scales is equal to 3 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 5 ohms.
5–10 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.5 ohm. Therefore 0.5 ohm multiplied

by 10 scales is equal to 5 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 10 ohms.

10–20 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of 1 ohm. Therefore 1 ohm multiplied by

10 scales is equal to 10 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 20 ohms.

20–30 — is divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 2 ohms. Therefore 2 ohms multiplied

by 5 scales is equal to 10 ohms.

Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 30 ohms.

30–50 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of 2 ohms. Therefore 2 ohms multiplied

by 10 scales is equal to 20 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 50 ohms.

50–100 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of 5 ohms. Therefore 5 ohms multiplied

by 10 scales is equal to 50 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 100 ohms.

100–200 — is divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 20 ohms. Therefore 20 ohms

multiplied by 5 scales is equal to 100 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 200

ohms.

200–500 — is divided by 4 scales. Each scale has a value of 75 ohms. Therefore 75 ohms

multiplied by 4 scales is equal to 300 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 500

ohms.

500–1k — is not divided by a scale. Therefore from 500, you will get the value of 1 kilo-ohms

(1K) by adding 500 ohms. So, it is very obvious that the gap between 500 ohms and 1k is 500

ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 1 kilo-ohms (1K).

1k-2k — is not divided by a scale. Therefore from 1K, you will get the value of 2k by adding 1K.

So, the gap is obviously 1 kilo-ohms (1K). Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 2

kilo-ohms (2K).

Note: K stands for Kilo which means Thousand.

Any value that goes beyond 2K or 2 kilo-ohms value has a very high resistance and exceed the x1

multiplier range of an ohmmeter.

Please note that the highest resistance scale is only limited to 2k or 2 kilo-ohm resistance. If you

need to measure resistance which is higher than 2 kilo-ohms, set the ohmmeter range to a

higher multiplier range and so on.

Learning to read resistance values is easy. Just by knowing the value of each scale individually

could fulfill it. But there’s more to learn if you dig deeper.

Here are the questions that arises on your thoughts:

What is a multiplier?

These are the 4 range of an ohmmeter, as you can see in the image below figure 2. An
ohmmeter is divided by four main settings.

a) x1 — select this range so that any value in the resistance scale is multiplied by 1.
b) x10 — select this range so that any value in the resistance scale is multiplied by 10.

c) x100 — select this range so that any value in the resistance scale is multiplied by 100.

d) x1k — select this range so that any value in the resistance scale is multiplied by 1k or 1

thousand.

Does each range is has its own sensitivity?

 x1 — has the lowest sensitivity

 x1k — has the highest sensitivity

What range should be used in resistance measurement?

 x1 — Select this range if you are measuring resistance below 2 kilo-ohms.

 x10 — Select this range if you are measuring resistance below 20 kilo-ohms.

 x100 — Select this range if you are measuring resistance below 200 kilo-ohms.

 x1k — Select this range if you are measuring resistance below 2 mega-ohms.

Learning resistance measurement is simple but you need to practice. Familiarize the value of

each scale and memorize it. Put it in practice, measure the resistance of an actual electronic

components such as resistors, transistors and diodes.

Example:1 , Assuming the arrow is the needle pointer of the tester. Measure the value of the
resistance where the arrow pointing.
 If setting of the selector range is at x1, the value of the resistance is = 3
Ω(ohms)

Example 2: Measure the resistance where the arrow is pointing.

 If setting of the selector range is at x1, the value of the resistance is = 16 Ω(ohms)
 If setting of the selector range is at x10, the value of the resistance is = 160Ω (ohms). 16
x 10=160 Ωohms.
 If setting of the selector range is at x100, the value of the resistance is = 1600 Ω
(ohms).,16 x 10=1600Ω(ohms).
 If setting of the selector range is at x1k, the value of the resistance is = 160 Ω (ohms). 16
x 1000=16000 Ω(ohms).

Activity 1: Read and answer the resistance reading where the black arrow is pointing in the given figure with a
corresponding setting of multimeter/multitester.

1. Range setting (X1) ____________ Ω_

2. Range setting (X10) ____________ Ω

3. Range setting (1K) _____________ Ω

4. Range setting (1K) _____________ Ω

 5. Range setting (x1) __________ Ω

6. Range setting (x10)_________ Ω

7. Range setting (X100)________ Ω

8. Range setting (1k)__________ Ω

. 9. Range setting (x1)__________ Ω

10. Range setting (x10)_________ Ω

11. Range setting (X100)________ Ω

12. Range setting (1k)__________ Ω

 13. Range setting (x1) __________ Ω

14. Range setting (x10) _________ Ω

15. Range setting (X100) ________ Ω

16. Range setting (1k) __________ Ω

Information Sheet 1.1.3

Measuring voltage in Alternating Current voltage (ACV).
How to read meter scale in acv

In the figure below shows the meter scale of the ACV.

In this figure the arrow is pointing the meter scale of the ACV and DCV.

If your setting on the range selector is 250v., Each graduation of the will be 5v. Each .

Example : 1.setting 250 V.

 In this figure the arrow points as your needle pointer, It deflects /pointing between 200V. And 250 V.

If the setting is 250V. Each graduation is 5v. , So this is 220 V.

Using the figurer above. If the setting of the range selector knob to 50 acv. It deflects between 40v. And 50 V. It
has a 44v.

Since a setting of 50acv each graduation is 1V.

Using the figure above. If the setting of the range selector knob to 10 acv. It deflects between 8v and
10v. so, it has the reading of 8.8v. Since a setting of 10 acv. Each graduation is 0.2 volts.

Example #2:

Setting in ACV block Voltage( V)

250 185 V
50 37 V
10 7.4 V.
Self-Check 1.1.3: Read and answer the voltage reading where the black arrow is pointing in the given figure with
a corresponding setting of multimeter/multitester.

Setting in ACV block Voltage( V)

250 1) ?
50 2). ?
10 3). ?

Setting in ACV block Voltage( V)

250 4). ?
50 5) ?
10 6) ?
 Information Sheet 1.1.4
Measuring voltage in Direct Current voltage (DCV).
How to read meter scale in DCV

In the figure below shows the meter scale of the DCV. As you notice it has the same meter scale to ACV. It will
only differ on the setting on the block. The arrow shows the meter scale of the DCV.

Figure 1.1.3 A

Example #:1

Figure: 1.1.3B

If the expected voltage output to be check is 2.2volt, then the setting in the DCV block is 2.5v.

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

2.5 1.3 V.
Therefore, each graduation in the scale is 0.05v.

If the expected voltage output to be check is 9V.Then the setting in the DCV Block will be 10 V. In figure 1.1.3B,
then,

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

10 5.2 V.
Therefore, each graduation in the scale is 0.2V.

If the expected voltage output to be check is 40V.Then the setting in the DCV Block will be 50 V. In figure 1.1.3B,
then,

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

50 26 V.
Therefore, each graduation in the scale is 1V.

If the expected voltage output to be check is 230V.Then the setting in the DCV Block will be 250 V. In figure
1.1.3B, then,

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

250 130 V.
Therefore, each graduation in the scale is 5V.
If the expected voltage output to be check is 800V.Then the setting in the DCV Block will be 1000 V. In figure
1.1.3B, then,

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

1000 520 V.
Therefore, each graduation in the scale is 20V.

Self-Check 1.1.4. Read and answer the voltage reading where the black arrow is pointing in the given figure
with a corresponding setting of multimeter/multitester.

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

2.5 7)? V
10 8) ? V
50 9)? V
1000 10)? V

Setting in DCV block Voltage( V)

2.5 11) ? V
10 12) ? V
50 13) ? V
1000 14) ? V