BASIC TEST

INSTRUMENTS
At the end of this module the students
will be able to:
 Understand the capabilities and limitations of
using VOM
 Perform the proper way of setting the VOM
controls and adjustments
 Performand Explain the correct way of reading
Resistance, Voltage and Current when using the
VOM
 Performand observe the safety precautions in
using VOM
THE VOLT-OHMMETER-MILLIAMMETER (VOM)
OR MULTITESTER
One of the most indispensable tool in
electronics. It is used to measure the
following;
Voltage (AC and DC) – as voltmeter
Resistance – as Ohmmeter
Current (DC only) – as Ammeter
THE PARTS OF VOM
A. Selector Range Switch/ Knob
Used to select the proper function range for specific
measurements

 The Ohmmeter / Resistance Range (Ω)

 Usually
has four to five ranges ( x1, x 10, x100,
x1k, and x100k)
 The ACV Range (~)
 Usually
has four to five ranges (10, 50, 250, 750
and 1000)
 The DCV Range
 Has six ranges (0.25, 2.5, 10, 50, 250, and 1000)
 The DCmA
 Has four ranges (50µA, 2.5mA, 25mA and 0.25A)
B. The Zero Ohms Adjust
Used to set the pointer at zero for Resistance Scale

C. The Mechanical Zero Corrector

Used to set the pointer at zero for DCV and ACV
scales

D. The Testing Probe

Red (Positive)
Black (Negative)

E. The Meter Scales

Parts of the meter scales
The Ohmmeter / R Scale
The top most scale of a multitester
The zero value is located at the right side of the
meter
The infinity value is at the left side of the meter
Non linear scale
The Direct Current Voltage Scale / DCV
The second scale from the top
Used for DCV and DCmA reading
Read as linear scale
The zero reading is at the left and the maximum is
at the right side
The Alternating Current Voltage Scale/ ACV
The 3rd scale from the top
The zero reading is at the left and maximum is at
the right side
Read as linear scale
Hfe scale
used when testing transistor
LI scale, LV
Used when testing diodes
dB Scale
used when measuring the decibel dB loss or gain of
signal
READING SCALES WITH THE VOM
 The Ohmmeter
 Is an instrument used for measuring DC resistance
 The resistance measurement is powered by the internal batteries and
the range selector switch is placed at the ohmmeter range being
used.
 Operations and Applications: Before taking any measurements
 Set the pointer at the zero scale by shorting the probe together
 The ohmmeter pointer must be adjusted each time the ohmmeter
selector range is changed.
 Since the reading is non linear, it is best to read the accuracy of
measurement at the right- hand half of the scale.
 Scale Reading:
R x 1 – read the scale directly
R x 10 – multiply the scale reading by 10
R x 100 – multiply the scale reading by 100
R x 1K – by 1000
The Ohmmeter

Graduation Reading:
0 to 2, each graduation is equal to
0.2
2 to 10 , each graduation is equal to
0.5
10 to 20, each graduation is equal to
1
20 to 50, each graduation is equal to
2
The DC Voltmeter
 Used to measure DC and AC voltage
 Operations and Applications: Before taking any measurements
 Set the selector knob to DCV
 Observethe highest range when the line voltage to test is
unknown
 Observe the correct polarity of the probe and the terminal to
test
 Always connect the test probe in parallel with the component in
a circuit
 Ifthe voltage is unknown always set the selector knob to a higher
range
 Use the voltmeter range where you can get the maximum pointer
deflection without going off scale.
DC Voltmeter Scale Reading
X 0.25 – utilize the 250V scale, each graduation is
equal to 0.005
x 2.5 – utilize the 250V scale, each graduation is equal
to 0.05
x 10 – use the 10V scale, each graduation is equal to
0.2
x 50 – use the 50V scale, each graduation is equal to 1
x 250 – use the 250 scale, each graduation is equal to 5
x 1000 – use the 10V scale, each graduation is equal to
20
The AC Voltmeter

 Used to measure AC voltage

 Operations and Applications: Before taking any measurements
 Set the selector knob to ACV
 Observethe highest range when the line voltage to test is
unknown
 Use the voltmeter range where you can get the maximum pointer
deflection without going off scale.
 Always connect the test probe in parallel with the component in
a circuit
 Be sure to touch the test point only with your test probe
 The reading is linear
AC Voltmeter Scale Reading

X 0.25 – utilize the 250V scale, each graduation is equal

to 0.005
x 2.5 – utilize the 250V scale, each graduation is equal to
0.05
x 10 – use the 10V scale, each graduation is equal to 0.2
x 50 – use the 50V scale, each graduation is equal to 1
x 250 – use the 250 scale, each graduation is equal to 5
x 1000 – use the 10V scale, each graduation is equal to 20
 The DCmA Meter

 Used to measure small amount of current flowing in a DC circuit.

 Operations and Applications: Before taking any measurements
 Set the selector knob to DCmA
 Observethe highest range when the line current to test is
unknown
 Use the DCmA range where you can get the maximum pointer
deflection without going off scale.
 Be sure to touch the test point only with your test probe
 Alwaysconnect the test probe in line (series connection) with the
component in a circuit
 The reading is linear
 Never connect an ammeter directly to a voltage source.
DCmA Meter Scale Reading

X 0.25A – utilize the 250 scale, each graduation is

equal to 0.005
x25mA – utilize the 250 scale, each graduation is
equal to 0.5
 x2.5mA – utilize the 250 scale, each graduation is
equal to 0.05
x 50µA – use the 50 scale, each graduation is equal
to 1
 Summary:
 Ohmmeter is an instrument used for measuring dc resistance
 The VOM use, uses its resistance range R X 10 for transistor tests
 Before taking a measurement, the pointer position should be confirmed to zero on the
top ohm scale
 With + and –com terminals shorted together, the meter pointer is adjusted by turning
the zero-ohm ADJ to the right or left in order to place it exactly on zero at right
 Voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring voltage or the potential difference
 The two types of instruments used for measuring electrical quantities are the
electronic voltmeter (EVM) and the eletro-mechanical VOM
 The voltage and current scales of a VOM are linear
 Before using a VOM or any instrument with which you are not familiar, be certain to
read the operating manual
 The DC current scale of a VOM is usually the same as the DC voltage scale
 Polarity must be observed when measuring the DC voltage and DC current