A
voltmeter is an electrical instrument used to measure the
voltage (potential difference) between two points in an electrical circuit. Voltage is the force that pushes electric current through a conductor, so knowing the voltage across different parts of a circuit is essential to understanding how it works.
Key Points About a Voltmeter:
- Unit of Measurement:
- Voltage is measured in
Volts (V).
- A voltmeter displays the voltage in
Volts.
- How It Works:
- A voltmeter is connected in
parallel to the component or section of the circuit you want to measure the voltage across. This ensures that the voltmeter measures the potential difference without disturbing the flow of current too much.
- Impedance of a Voltmeter:
- Ideally, a voltmeter should have
very high resistance to prevent it from drawing any current from the circuit. If a voltmeter draws current, it could alter the voltage being measured. A voltmeter with high resistance ensures it does not affect the circuit's operation.
- Types of Voltmeters:
-
Analog Voltmeter: Uses a needle and scale to show voltage.
-
Digital Voltmeter: Shows the voltage reading in numeric form on a display.
- Accuracy:
- The accuracy of a voltmeter depends on its design and the quality of the components inside it. More expensive voltmeters are typically more accurate.
- Range:
- Voltmeters have different ranges, meaning they can measure different maximum voltages. For example, a voltmeter could have a range of 0-10V, 0-100V, etc. Some digital voltmeters automatically adjust their range depending on the voltage they are measuring.
How to Use a Voltmeter:
- Step 1: Turn off the power in the circuit before connecting the voltmeter (if you're measuring in a live circuit, be careful!).
- Step 2: Connect the two leads of the voltmeter to the two points you want to measure the voltage between.
- The
red lead (positive) connects to the point of higher potential.
- The
black lead (negative) connects to the point of lower potential.
- Step 3: Turn the circuit back on and read the voltage on the display or scale.
Example Use Case:
If you want to measure the voltage across a resistor in a circuit:
- Place the voltmeter leads across the resistor (in parallel) and read the voltage across it.
A voltmeter is a simple but essential tool for troubleshooting and understanding electrical circuits.