Multimeters and voltmeters are electronic instruments used to measure electric current. They have many different practical applications in the work place most notably the ability to test currents in wall outlets for the all around handyman. They are highly accurate devices that are able to test fault or rather things like short circuits and other abnormal electrical disturbance in hardware.
Multimeters are able to measure voltage, resistance and current in electrical flow and have two types analog and digital circuits. Analog style multimeters tend to be utilized with a microameter, a device that rotates with a needle similar to a bathroom scale. While digital on the other hand is a visual interpretation of data similar to looking at a computer screen. Unlike their analog counterparts digital multimeters pride themselves on higher points of electrical accuracy, often rendering analog units obsolete.
Voltmeters, while in the same vein of usage as the multimeter is slightly varied. While multimeter’s are designed to test malfunctions Volt meter’s are used to test to see if given hardware is any longer capable of carrying a charge at all. They have the ability to detect electric potential as a whole, which means that if something is electrically live the voltmeter will pick it up whereas if something doesn’t register on it, new parts or repairs may be in order for the given device. Akin to the multimeter the voltmeter also comes in both analog and digital circuit read out forms. What is different between the two is that while a digital multimeter is completely different from an analog, a digital voltmeter is just an analog voltmeter with a digital readout. So for the most part there is no difference in how the data is received.
Due to their varied amount of uses, quality volt and multimeter’s can be quite pricey ranging anywhere from fifty dollars on up. There are often cheaper alternatives at local electronics store but these electric current tools like so many other things lose quality along with their price tag. If accuracy is crucial it is definitely worth investing a little more money for a better read. On the other hand if it’s for less professional purposes like home automotive you can tend to get away with paying a little less.
Both devices are crucial for electricians and car enthusiasts alike. They give good readouts of electric current and help to show dead outlets in the house or dead car batteries in the garage. Often it only takes a trip to the electronics store to determine what is needed for a given task. Make sure the task is suited to the device.