Analog and Digital Multimeter Difference – MULTIMETERs are tools used to measure resistance, voltage and electric current. Therefore, Multimeter is often referred to as AVOMETER which is taken from the abbreviation of these three units of measurement, namely Ampere (A), Volt (V) and Ohm (O). There are also those who refer to it as MULTITESTER, namely Tester or Test tool that can measure several types of electrical measurements. Whatever you call it, the tool in question is the same, namely Multimeter which is used to measure electric current, electrical voltage and electrical resistance.
Multimeter is a measuring instrument or test tool that is very important for Electricians or Electronics hobbyists. With this tool, we can measure the value of resistors, measure the value of pln electricity voltage or batteries and batteries and measure the amount of electric current flowing in an electrical or electronic device. To find out how to use this Multimeter
Read also: How to Use Multimeter or Multitester which is also an article from this website.
In general, Multimeters can be classified into two main types, namely Analog Multimeter (AMM) and Digital Multimeter (DMM). The main difference between the two is the display of the screen. Analog Multimeter uses a needle to show the value or measurement results while the Digital Multimeter will show the value or result as a number on the screen. In addition to these main differences, there are also other differences such as accuracy factors, how to read, calibration, price and other factors that will also be discussed below. But before, let’s first look at what is meant by Analog Multimeter (AMM) and Digital Multimeter (DMM).
Definition of Analog Multimeter
This type of multimeter that uses the needle scale to measure electrical quantities such as voltage, current, and resistance (resistance) is known as an analog multimeter. Basically, whenever the quantity of electricity is measured with an analog multimeter it displays the result in analog form i.e. by using a needle pointer to indicate its scale value. The reading on the scale reflects the quantity to be measured.
Measurement results in the form of this scale are formed by moving coils with needles that show the value of each on the scale. The basic principle of its operation is the deflection of the pointer or needle that corresponds to the force it exerts. This Analog multimeter basically consists of a drum or cylindrical core between a pair of permanent magnets and around the drum there is a winding of the coil. The Pointer Needle is fastened on the coil or winding of the scroll. When a certain amount of current is measured through the winding of a coil or coil, there will be an induction of a magnetic field that moves the needle to show a certain value on the Analog Multimeter scale.
Understanding Digital Multimeter
A digital multimeter is a type of multimeter that uses a digital display to represent the quantity of electricity measured in the form of digits. After the existence of digital multimeters at increasingly affordable prices, the use of analog multimeters has become less and less. This is due to several beneficial factors associated with the use of digital multimeters themselves.
The main components of a digital multimeter are a display unit along with an encoder, analog to digital converter, signal conditioning circuit and other supporting parts. For example, in the measurement of the resistance of a resistor, a certain amount of electric current from the Multimeter will be given to the resistor that will be measured the resistance. The voltage on the resistor will be calculated by the multimeter into the resistance value and converted through the ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) so that the resistance value of the resistor in question can be displayed in the Digital Multimeter LCD Display.
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeter
The following are some of the fundamental differences between Analog Multimeters and Digital Multimeters.
- Analog multimeter displays the result in analog form so it does not require an analog to digital converter. While Digital Multimeter specifically requires an analog to digital converter in it.
- The accuracy of analog multimeters is relatively lower compared to digital multimeters. Because Digital Multimeters produce more accurate results than Analog Multimeters.
- Analog multimeters are used for measurement of quantities such as voltage, current and resistance. While Digital Multimeter can measure other quantities such as impedance size, capacitance and others.
- Analog Multimeters are calibrated manually, while Digital Multimeters can be calibrated automatically which is one of the advantages of Digital Multimeters.
- Analog multimeters are quite difficult to use and require a little effort to understand needle designation readings on the multimeter scale, while digital multimeters provide ease of measurement and also readings that directly display the value or results of measurements in the form of numbers or digits.
- Multimeters require components such as encoders, ADCs, LCDs, logic circuits and others which make digital multimeter circuits more complex than analog multimeters that do not require such components.
- Physically, the Analog Multimeter Size is larger than the Digital Multimeter.
- Analog multimeters show less susceptibility to electrical noise during measurements. Digital multimeters are more susceptible to electrical interference.
- Input Impedance of Analog Multimeters is variable so it will change with a certain range, while Digital Multimeter Impedance will be constant for all measurement ranges.
- To represent reverse polarity, the Analog Multimeter pointer needle will turn left, while the Digital Multimeter displays a negative sign to indicate the reverse polarity of its measurement.
