A digital multimeter or multitester is also known as VOM, and it is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one single unit.
A typical multimeter should be able to measure voltage, current, and resistance.
The analog multimeters use a microammeter with a moving pointer to display readings. Basically, if you are looking for a multimeter, then you should know the advantages and disadvantages of having one at hand, and this is what you are going to know about here today.
In this article, you will be cleared about this instrument in detail with an overview of the pros and cons of having it and guess what they are all legit, and you will be able to decide better after knowing them. Without any further ado, let’s start with them:
If you want a combination of an ammeter, voltmeter, and ohmmeter at home, then this product is your best bet, but before every buyer gets a product, he/she looks into the pros and cons of the product. Here we are going to overall present disadvantages and advantages of this product respectively:
Advantages
Ensures precision or accuracy
This advantage, as we all know, is a definite one, and an electrician multimeter always provides an output of up to 4 decimal places that the usual analog could never bring up. Even the fluctuating readings are accurate enough because they are close to the actual measurement, but we assure you that this tool is quite the master at bringing the most convenient results.
Protected meter
Another pro to this instrument is that it has protection against undesired input range. Hence the meter can be protected from overload or fault or misuse, which makes it quite a safe and efficient product.
No errors
All the parallax errors are eliminated by this instrument, and if the pointer of an analog multimeter is viewed from a different angle, you will see a different value. This is the error basically, and a digital multimeter has this responsibility to solve the problem with the help of its numerical display.
Auto polarity
Multimeters have this special quality to read negative values and especially in terms of voltage. When you apply the probes into the opposite polarity, you will get a negative output. This is also where a digital type is more advantageous than the analog, as placing the probes into the opposite polarity can cause the analog to scatter.
Portable size
Also, these multimeters are easy to carry around because they are lightweight and also don’t create any hassle. You will not face any problems regarding its parts or anything because even when assembled, it is not heavy and simply portable for you to take around everywhere, whether it’s your working space or living space.
High DMM
So, the input impedance or you can say resistance DMM is high in this instrument, and that is the reason that it doesn’t affect the measurements. If you are wondering that why it does so is because due to all these qualities, it is giving accurate results, and it is a multimeter, meaning all in one tool. So you must have to expect it to be having all the perks of having everything in one tool.
Microprocessors
Many modernized digital multimeters have microprocessors in them, and this is why they function to store all the readings for further processing. This makes the tool time saving and convenient for the user.
LCD display
The LCD display makes the instrument user-friendly because usually analog multimeters are hard to read, but digital multimeters have LCD in them, providing a better view for the user.
Disadvantages
Expensive
Basically, analog multimeters are previous generation tools, and they don’t cost as much as the advanced and modernized digital multimeter versions, and this is the reason some people avoid to get these products and just go with the basic analog ones.
Many types
There are so many different types of digital multimeters in the market that it is extremely hard to find the one that suits your needs. So many options make you double-minded, and this is the reason customers get confused and, in the end, go with the typical products that are also easy on the pocket.
Records error
There is a case of fluctuations and transients where this instrument can record an error. Due to this issue, the product becomes less likely to operate like your expectations, and it gets hard to adjust it to the right spot.
Limited word length
The A/D converter has a limitation on word length, which causes quantization noise giving rise to an error in the measured value. Well, if you think you can tackle this problem, then that is alright, but word length is very important when it comes to readings, so you can’t ignore it completely.
Need extra power
This instrument is battery operated or will need to be connected to an external source for power consumption to perform. The LCD display is useless if the product doesn’t have a battery in it; this makes it quite hard for the user.
Limited voltage
The meter is very much fragile, and as there is a limitation in the voltage of this multimeter, if it will be increased beyond the provided limit, then the meter will easily get damaged and collapse.
Warming of meter
You certainly can’t keep the multimeter near a heater or any warm substance, or else during its use, the properties can change, leading an error in the reading. If you want accurate results, you have to stay away from warm substances in order to keep the product working.
Unsuitable for tuning circuits
This digital multimeter has the main disadvantage of having a nature that makes it unsuitable for the adjustment of tuning circuits or peaking tunable responses. Both these properties are important when it comes to measurements, and it is impossible in a digital multimeter.
Conclusion
Here we go! A complete detailed article on the digital multimeters is ruling the market nowadays. You can easily get these products now, but you had to be informed about their pros and cons, respectively. So, we gave it to you. I hope all your queries have been solved now.