How to Measure a Potentiometer with a Multimeter

How to measure The Potentiometer with Multimeter – We can measure the Resistance value of a Potentiometer by using a measuring instrument called Multimeter, both Multimeter that shows Digital value and Analog Multimeter. As we know that Multimeter is a measuring instrument consisting of a combination of measurements of Electric Current (Ampere), Electric Voltage (Volt) and Resistance / Resistance (Ohm). To measure the Potentometer which is a component of the Resistor family, the Potentiometer is certainly measured by the Ohm function (Resistance) contained in the Multimeter. In measurements, we can find out the Maximum Resistance Value of a Potentialometer and also changes in the Potentialometer Resistance Value when we rotate the Shaft or regulatory Lever.

How to Measure a Potentiometer

Here is a way to measure the potentialometer resistance value by using a Digital Multimeter:

To find out the Maximum Resistance Value of the Potentiometer

1. Set the position of the Multimeter Switch at ohm position (Ω)
2. Connect the Multimeter Probe at the foot of the first Terminal (1) and the third Terminal (3).

Pay attention to the Potentialometer Resistance value on the Multimeter Display, the value that appears is the maximum value of the Potentialometer that we are measuring.

Please note, the Maximum Value is the Face Value of the Potentialometer and will be almost equal to the value listed on the Body Of The Potentiometer itself. The Potentialometer Resistance values in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 will always be constant. That is, the playback shaft (lever) regulator will have no effect on the measurement value.

Read also LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) and How to Measure It

To measure changes in the potentialometer resistance value

1. Set the position of the Multimeter Switch at ohm position (Ω)
2. Connect the Multimeter Probe at the foot of the first Terminal (1) and the second Terminal (2).
3. Turn the Shaft or Lever on the Potentometer clockwise,
4. Note the Resistance Value on the Multimeter Display, the Resistance Value and rise along with the movement of the Shaft (Lever) of the Potentialometer. Conversely, if the Shaft (Lever) The potentiometer is rotated counter-clockwise, the Resistance Value will decrease along with the movement of the Shaft (Lever) The potentialometer.
5. Move the Multimeter Probe from the foot of the first Terminal (1) to the third Terminal (3). So, now the legs of the Terminal Potentialometer measured are Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
6. Turn shaft (Lever) Potentometer clockwise,

Note the Potentialometer Resistance Value on the Multimeter Display, the Resistance Value will decrease along with the movement of the Shaft (Lever) of the Potentometer. Conversely, If the Shaft (lever) The potentiometer is rotated counter-clockwise, the Resistance Value will rise along with the movement of the Shaft (Lever) The potentialometer.

Note:
Potentiometers do not recognize Positive and Negative Polarities so the laying position of the Red Probe and the Black Multimeter Probe is not an issue in the measurement.

To find out the Understanding, Working Principles and Functions of Potentiometers, please read the article: Understanding and Function of Potentiometer.