Fluke MultiMeter

Fluke Type 73 Digital MultiMeter

Introduction

A multi meter is small portable device that can be used to measure voltage, current
resistance, or to test diodes. The Engineering department at HSU has a set of Type 73
-III Series III hand held digital multi meter manufactured by Fluke. These meters are
over voltage protected against transient voltage spikes and

conform to International Electrotechnical Commission's safety standard IEC 61010. The

meters feature an automatic hold to store a reading, and an audible continuity beeper,
and can test diodes. A portable hand held multi meter can be used anywhere that quick
accurate readings of voltage, current, or resistance are required. The specific
applications of this device are numerous.

Figure 1: The Fluke Type 73 MultiMeter

The meter could be used for all of the following, and much more.

 Checking the output of a solar cell

 Measuring the current draw of small AC or DC equipment
 Verifying power supply to a piece of equipment which is not functioning
 Testing an incandescent light bulb
 Reading the voltage signal from pyranometer
 Diagnosing the ignition system on your car when it does not start after you have
spent the day in the field in a remote location.

When using a multi meter and interpreting the results gained it is often useful to have a
working understanding of Ohm's law.
Operation

The functions on the fuse protected Fluke 73 multi meter are DC voltage, AC voltage,
AC or DC current, resistance, audible continuity test and diode test. The multi meter
has a multi position selector to select the desired function (See Figure 2). The Fluke
meter automatically ranges. On many multi meters each function also has multiple
ranges for taking measurements of varying magnitudes. On the Fluke meter the correct
range is automatically selected for most measurements. This means that the
approximate magnitude of the signal does not have to be known or determined to take
an accurate reading. To take a reading the leads must be moved to the appropriate
port for the desired measurement. The meter is fuse protected to prevent damage to
the device if the incorrect function is selected or if the leads are placed in the incorrect
port for the measurement being taken.

The literature for the multi meter lists the accuracy of the meter for the functions of the
meter. These values are presented in maximum percent error possible for certain
temperature ranges. For the readings to be meaningful the accuracy of the meter must
be kept in mind.
Using the Meter

The black (common) lead is always placed in the port labeled COM (see Figure 1). The
red lead is placed in one of the other three ports depending on which function of the
meter is being used. The units for a measurement are always given in the upper right
hand corner of the display screen (see Figure 1).

Figure 2: Function Selection on the Fluke MultiMeter.

Measuring Voltage

For all voltage measurements the red lead must be placed in the voltage port which is
red on the meter (See Figure 1). The voltage of either alternating current or direct
current can be measured. The units for voltage are volts (V), or milivolts (mV). AC
voltage and DC voltage are separate functions on the meter each with its own setting on
the selection dial as shown on Figure 2. Measuring a voltage which is known to be less
than 300 mV the meter should be set on the 300 mV setting (see Figure 2). The AC
voltage function reads the RMS (root mean square) voltage of an AC circuit. The
polarity of DC voltage can also be determined. If the red lead is on the positive side of
the voltage source the meter will read positive voltage. If however the red lead is on the
negative side of the source a negative sign will appear on the display indicating that the
polarity of the voltage is opposite from the way the leads are connected.
Measuring Current

The Fluke meter can read either AC or DC current up to 10 amps. To read either AC or
DC current the correct function must be selected on the function selection dial (See
Figure 2). The units for current are amps (A) or milliamps (mA). To read current the red
lead must be moved to one of the two ports for current. To take a reading that is know
to be less than 300 mA place the red lead in the port labeled 300 mA (see Figure 1). To
read currents greater than 300 mA, or if the current is not know place the red lead in the
port labeled 10A (see Figure 1). For DC current readings as with the DC voltage
reading a negative sign will appear if the current is negative. A positive current
indicates that current is flowing into the red lead and out of the black lead of the meter,
or that electrons are flowing into the black lead and out of the red lead as illustrated in
Figure 3.

Figure 3: Current Flow Diagrams

The meter is actually measuring electron flow when current is measured. However the
convention is to talk about current flowing as positively charged particles, which do not
actually exist.

This convention can be traced back to the time of Thomas Edison, who arbitrarily
selected a positive current as being the flow of positively charged particles, before the
electron had been discovered. It is now understood that electrons flow carrying current,
Edison's convention however has stuck. We will probably be taking about the flow of
"electron holes" for many years to come.
Measuring Resistance

The resistance of any circuit can be measured in the units of ohms (W), miliohms (mW),
or megaohms (MW). Ohm ranging on the Fluke multi meter is fully automatic. The red
lead must be placed in the same port as for reading voltage, that is the red port labeled
for ohms (W) (see Figure 1). The function selector must be set for resistance (See
Figure 2).
Diode Test and Audible Continuity Test

Testing the condition or polarity of a diode, and the audible continuity test are the same
function on the selector (See Figure 2). The meter signals audibly whenever the test
leads are connected to a circuit with less than a minimum resistance. This audible
signal indicates that the circuit is closed. When a diode is tested the meter is connected
first one way, and then the other way. If the diode is good the audible signal will be
heard with the diode connected one way, but not with it connected the other way.
Maintenance & Storage

When the unit is not in use the selector switch should be turned to the off position to
conserve battery life. If the unit should require a new battery a standard size 9V battery
should be used which can be of the alkaline, NiCad, or NiMhd type. If the unit is going
to be exposed to rough conditions during transport the leads should be removed from
the ports, to avoid breading them off, and coiled to keep them from tangling.

How to Measure Current

A multimeter provides one of the easiest ways to measure
alternating and direct current (AC & DC). We provide some of the
key guidelines . . .

Multimeter Tutorial Includes:

Test meter basics Analogue multimeter DMM digital multimeter How a DMM works DMM
accuracy & resolution How to buy best digital multimeter How to use a multimeter Voltage
measurement Current measurements More current measurement techniques Resistance
measurements Diode & transistor test Fault finding transistor circuits

It is often necessary to know how to measure current using a multimeter. Current measurements are
easy to make, but they are done in a slightly different way to the way in which voltage and other
measurements are made. However current measurements often need to be made to find out
whether a circuit is operating correctly, or to discover other facts associated with its current
consumption.
Current is one of the basic electrical / electronic parameters, and therefore it is often necessary to
measure the current flowing in the ciricuit to check its operation.

... both digital and analogue multimeters are able to

measure current very easily....

Current measurements can be made with a variety of test instruments, but the most widely used
pieces of test equipment for making current measurements is a digital multimeter. These items of
test equipment are widely available and at very reasonable prices.

Current measurement: basics

Current measurements are made in a different way to voltage and other measurements. Current
consists of a flow of electrons around a circuit, and it is necessary to be able to monitor the overall
flow of electrons. In very simple circuit is shown below. In this there is a battery, a bulb which can be
used as an indicator and a resistor. To change the level of current flowing in the circuit it is possible
to change the resistance, and the amount of current flowing can be gauged by the brightness of the
bulb.

A simple circuit in which to measure current

When using a multimeter to measure current, the only way that can be used to detect the level of
current flowing is to break into the circuit so that the current passes through the meter. Although this
can be difficult at times, it is the best option. A typical current measurement can be made as shown
below. From this it can be seen that the circuit in which the current is flowing has to be broken and
the multimeter inserted into the circuit. In some circuits where current may often need to be
measured, terminals with a shorting link may be added to facilitate the current measurement.

How to measure current using a multimeter

In order that the multimeter does not alter the operation of the circuit when it is used to measure
current, the resistance of the meter must be as low as possible. For measurements of around an
amp, the resistance of a meter should be much less than an ohm. For example if a meter had a
resistance of one ohm, and a current of one amp was flowing, then it would develop a voltage of one
volt across it. For most measurements this would be unacceptably high. Therefore resistances of
meters used to measure current are normally very low.

Read more about . . . . current measurement techniques using a multimeter.

How to measure current with an analogue
multimeter
It is quite easy to use an analogue meter to measure electrical current. There are a few minor
differences in way that current measurements are made, but the same basic principles are used.

... analogue multimeters are also able to measure current

easily and accurately....
When using the analogue multimeter it is possible to follow a number of simple steps:

1. Insert the probes into the correct connections - this is required because there may be a number
of different connections that can be used. Be sure to get the right connections as there may be
separate connections for very low or very high current ranges.
2. Set switch to the correct measurement type (i.e. to measure current) and range for the
measurement to be made. When selecting the range, ensure that the maximum for the particular
range chosen is above that anticipated. The range on the multimeter can be reduced later if
necessary. However by selecting a range that is too high, it prevents the meter being overloaded
and any possible damage to the movement of the meter itself.
3. When taking the reading, optimise the range for the best reading. If possible adjust it so that the
maximum deflection of the meter can be gained. In this way the most accurate reading will be
gained.
4. Once the reading is complete, it is a wise precaution to place the probes into the voltage
measurement sockets and turn the range to maximum voltage position. In this way if the meter is
accidentally connected without thought for the range to be used, there is little chance of damage
to the meter. This may not be true if it left set for a current reading, and the meter is accidentally
connected across a high voltage point!

How to measure current with a digital

multimeter
To measure current with a digital multimeter it is possible to follow a few simple steps:

1. Turn the meter on

2. Insert the probes into the correct connections - in many meters there are a number of different
connections for the probes. Often one labelled common into which the black probe is normally
placed. The other probe should be entered into the correct socket for the current measurement to
be made. Sometimes there is a special connection for current measurements, and sometimes a
separate one for either low or high current measurements. Select the correct one for the current
measurement to be made.
3. Set main selector switch on the meter switch to the correct measurement type, (i.e. current) and
range for the measurement to be made. When selecting the range, ensure that the maximum
 range is above the expected reading anticipated. The range on the DMM can then be reduced as
necessary. However by selecting a range that is too high, it prevents the meter being overloaded.
4. When the measuring the current, optimise the range for the best reading. If possible enable all
the leading digits to not read zero, and in this way the greatest number of significant digits can be
read.
5. Once the reading is complete, it is a wise precaution to place the probes into the voltage
measurement sockets and turn the range to maximum voltage. In this way if the meter is
accidentally connected without thought for the range used, there is little chance of damage to the
meter. This may not be true if it left set for a current reading, and the meter is accidentally
connected across a high voltage point!
Following these steps it is very easy to measure current using any digital multimeter.

How to measure ac current with a multimeter

It is often necessary to measure AC current. Although the same basic steps are used for taking the
AC current measurement as when a normal DC measurement is taken, there are a few additional
points to note.

The differences in the measurement result from the fact that the multimeter has to rectify the
alternating waveform to enable it to measure AC current. For a digital multimeter the main difference
is that the measurement type switch must be set to measure AC current rather than DC current..

For an analogue multimeter the situation is a little different. As an analogue multimeter does not
contain any active electronics, the diode rectifier used to rectify the alternating waveform has a
certain turn on voltage and this will affect the low voltage end of some scales. Some meters may not
be able to measure AC current, or they will have very restricted ranges..

Although it is not as common to measure electrical current as it is to measure voltage, it is

nevertheless and important ability to be able to measure current. Also knowing how to measure
current to gain the best of the multimeter is also important.