Introduces the use of a digital multimeter for resistance measurement.
This experiment introduces the use of digital multimeters for voltage measurement. Digital multimeters, or DMMs, perform a variety of functions. When measuring voltage, the DMM is operating as a voltmeter. More information relative to DMMs and their use in voltage measurements are provided in the links to the right.
Voltages in a circuit are a difference in electrical potential energy between two different points in the circuit. DMMs generally have two terminals, or leads. When the DMM is operating as a voltmeter and its leads are connected to two different points in a circuit, the DMM will display the voltage difference between the two points.
Qty | Description | Typical Image | Schematic Symbol | Breadboard Image |
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1 | LED | ![]() |
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2 | 100Ω resistor | ![]() |
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1 | Digital multimeter | ![]() |
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Use V+ to apply 5V across the LED to light it up.
The resistor limits the current.
To measure the voltage V, connect the V-Ω terminal of your DMM to the diode's anode and the COM terminal to the diode's cathode.
Connect V+ (red wire) to the 100Ω resistor.
Connect the 100Ω resistor to the LED anode.
Connect ground (,
the black wire) to the cathode of the LED.
Connect the V-Ω terminal of the DMM to the diode's anode.
Connect the COM terminal of the DMM to the diode's cathode.
Turn the function selection knob on the front of the DMM to the
position.
Open WaveForms™ to view the main window.
Click on the Voltage instrument icon to open the Power Supplies window.
The LED should light up and the DMM should display the voltage difference across the diode.
Try reversing the polarity on your voltage measurement (just interchange the V-Ω and COM terminals). This should only change the sign for the displayed number.
Use the DMM to measure the voltage across the resistor, with the
assumed polarity as shown below. (Hint: you should get a negative value.)
Reverse the polarity on the resistor measurement and verify that the sign on the measured voltage changes.