A V meter, or voltmeter, measures the electrical potential difference (voltage) between two points in a circuit. Its working principle is based on the following key concepts:
1. **Parallel Connection**: A voltmeter is connected in parallel with the component or circuit segment where the voltage is to be measured. This ensures that it measures the voltage drop across that component without significantly altering the circuit.
2. **High Internal Resistance**: To minimize the impact on the circuit, a voltmeter has a very high internal resistance. This prevents it from drawing significant current, which could affect the measurement.
3. **Analog or Digital Display**: Depending on the type of voltmeter, it converts the measured voltage into a readable form. Analog voltmeters use a needle and scale, while digital voltmeters display the voltage as a number on an LCD or LED screen.
4. **Calibration**: Voltmeters are calibrated to ensure accuracy, often using known voltage sources during manufacturing or testing.
In essence, a voltmeter provides a way to quantify the voltage in a circuit without interfering with the operation of that circuit.