Difference Between Analog and Digital Multimeter

Difference Between Analog and Digital Multimeter - MULTIMETER is a tool used to measure resistance (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 mention it as a MULTITESTER, namely a Tester or a Test tool that can measure several types of electrical measurements. Whatever it is called, the tool in question is the same, namely a multimeter which is used to measure electric current, voltage and electrical resistance.

A multimeter is a measuring tool or test tool that is very important for electricians or electronics hobbyists. With this tool, we can measure the value of the resistor, measure the value of the electricity voltage of PLN or batteries and batteries and measure the amount of electric current flowing in an electrical or electronic device.

In general, multimeters can be classified into two main types, namely analog multimeters (AMM) and digital multimeters (DMM). The main difference between the two is the display screen. Analog Multimeters use needles to show the value or measurement results while Digital Multimeters will show the value or result as a number on the screen. Apart from these main differences, there are also other differences such as accuracy factor, reading method, calibration, price and other factors which will also be discussed below. But first, let's see what is meant by Analog Multimeter (AMM) and Digital Multimeter (DMM).

Understanding Analog Multimeter

This type of multimeter that uses a needle scale to measure electrical quantities such as voltage, current, and resistance is known as an analog multimeter. Basically, every time an electric quantity is measured with an analog multimeter it will display the result in analog form by using a needle pointer to show the scale value. The reading on the scale reflects the quantity to be measured.

Measurement results in the form of a scale are formed by a moving coil with a needle that shows each value on the scale. The basic principle of operation is the deflection of the pointer or needle according 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 coil winding. The Pointing Needle is tied to the coil or winding of the coil. When a certain amount of current is measured through the winding of the 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 electrical quantity measured in digits. After the existence of digital multimeters with increasingly affordable prices, the use of analog multimeters is becoming less and less. This is due to several beneficial factors associated with the use of the digital multimeter itself.

The main components of a digital multimeter are a display unit along with an encoder, analog to digital converter, signal conditioning circuitry and other supporting parts. For example, in measuring the resistance of a resistor, a certain amount of electric current from the multimeter will be given to the resistor whose resistance will be measured. The voltage on the resistor will be calculated by the multimeter into a resistance value and converted via ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) so that the resistance value of the resistor in question can be displayed on the LCD Display of the Digital Multimeter.

Difference Between Analog and Digital Multimeter

The following are some of the basic differences between Analog Multimeters and Digital Multimeters.

• Analog Multimeters display the results in analog form so there is no need for an analog to digital converter. While the Digital Multimeter specifically requires an analog to digital converter in it.
• The accuracy of the Analog Multimeter is relatively lower than that of the Digital Multimeter. Because Digital Multimeters produce more accurate results than Analog Multimeters.
• Analog multimeters are used for the measurement of quantities such as voltage, current and resistance. While the Digital Multimeter can measure other quantities such as impedance, 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 need a little effort to understand the reading of the needle on the multimeter scale, while digital multimeters provide easy measurement and also the readings that directly display the value or measurement results in the form of numbers or digits.
• Multimeters require components such as encoder, ADC, LCD, logic circuits and others which make digital multimeter circuits more complex than analog multimeters which do not require these components in them.
• Physically, Analog Multimeters are bigger than Digital Multimeters.
• Analog Multimeters show less susceptibility to electrical noise during measurement. While Digital Multimeters are more susceptible to electrical interference.
• The Input Impedance of an Analog Multimeter is variable so it will change with a certain range, whereas the Impedance of a Digital Multimeter will be constant for all measuring ranges.
• To represent reverse polarity, the Analog Multimeter pointer will turn left, while the Digital Multimeter displays a negative sign to indicate reverse polarity in the measurement.