Electrical and Electronic Measurements

Lecture 6: Digital Voltmeters

Dr. Haitham El-Hussieny

Electronics and Communications Engineering
Faculty of Engineering (Shoubra)
Benha University

October 2018

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Lecture Outline:

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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Introduction:
Two types will be covered: Ramp-type and
Dual slope Integrator DVMs.
Digital voltmeters (DVM) are essentially
analog-to-digital converters with digital
displays to indicate the measured voltage.

Digital Voltmeter Basic Block Diagram

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters:
A ramp signal is generated.
the comparator compares the
input Vi with the ramp Vr .
 
1, if Vi ≥ Vr
V1 =
0, if Vi < Vr

If the comparator output V1 is

high, the counting circuit will
count the pulses from clock
generator.
If the output V1 is low, the
counting will stop.
Npulses ∝ Vi .
Ramp type DVM block
The Dr.
value of Vi will be displayed
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Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters:

Ramp type DVM block DVM waveform

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Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters:
The use of the Latch:
The latch isolates the display from the counting circuit during the t1 .
It will connect the display to the counting circuit at the rising edge of the comparator output.

Ramp type DVM block

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters:

Limitations of Ramp type DVM

The ramp type DVM requires
precise ramp voltage and
precise time periods. (Not
accurate)
The Dual-slope-integrator DVM
eliminates this requirement.

Dual Slope DVM block

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Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters:

An integrator (e.g. capacitor) is

either charged negatively from Vi or
discharged at a constant rate
according to the control signal.

Dual Slope DVM block

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Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters:
The control signal is derived from the
clock generator and a frequency
divider.
During the charging time t1 , the
integrator is charged to Vo that
depends on Vi .
During the discharging, the integrator
is discharged in constant rate in
duration t2 that depends on Vo and
hence on Vi .
A voltage comparator is used as
zero-crossing-detector to output high
if integrator voltage is lower than
Dual Slope DVM block zero.
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Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters:

DVM waveform
Dual Slope DVM block

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Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters:
How the Dual slope integrator DVM eliminates the need for accurate timing ?
(1) During charging:

Vo = −Vi t1

(2) During discharging:

Vo = Kt2 K is constant

So,
t2
Vi = −K
t1
Thus the input voltage measurement is not
dependent on the clock frequency, but depends on
t1 DVM waveform
the ratio .
t2
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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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DVM Range Changing:

The attenuation circuit is used to

select the range of input voltage:
if Vin ≤ 1.999 V , the input is
applied directly on the
comparator.
if 1.999 V < Vin ≤ 19.99 V , the
input is attenuated and the
decimal point is changed.
and so on for
19.99 V < Vin ≤ 199.9 V

DVM Range Changing

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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Digital Voltmeter Accuracy:

Accuracy in DVMs:
Digital voltmeter accuracy is usually stated as:

±(0.5% rdg + 1digit)

where 1 digit refers to the extreme right (least significant digit) that depends on the range.

Example Solution:
If the accuracy is ±(0.5% rdg + 1 digit) (1) error =
What is the maximum error of reading ±[0.5% × 1.8V + 0.001] = ±0.01V
1.800 V on: (2) error =
(1) the 2 V scale. ±[0.5% × 1.8V + 0.01] = ±0.019V
(2) the 20 V scale.

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.

2 Ramp Type Digital Voltmeters.

3 Dual Slope Digital Voltmeters.

4 DVM Range Changing.

5 Digital Voltmeter Accuracy.

6 Types of Digital Multi-meters.

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Types of Digital Multi-meters:

Hand-held Multimeter Bench-type Multimeter

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Types of Digital Multi-meters:
Clamp Meters:

Advantage:
It is an electrical device having two jaws
which open to allow clamping around an
electrical conductor. This allows to
measure electric current through
conductor, without having to make
physical contact with it, or to disconnect
it for insertion through the probe.

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Types of Digital Multi-meters:
How Do Clamp Meters Operate ?:
A current transformer(CT) used to pick up magnetic flux generated as a result of current
passing through a conductor.
A secondary winding generates a current by electromagnetic induction that is proportional
to the primary current.

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 End of Lecture

Best Wishes

[email protected]

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