Voltmeter

Definition

A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure the electric potential difference, or voltage, between two points in an electric circuit. It is typically connected in parallel with the component across which the voltage is to be measured.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Voltmeters have high internal resistance to minimize their impact on the circuit being measured.
2. They are always connected in parallel with the component or points where voltage measurement is desired.
3. The accuracy of a voltmeter can be affected by factors such as temperature, frequency of the signal, and quality of connections.
4. Digital voltmeters provide a numerical display of voltage, while analog voltmeters use a needle and dial.
5. Voltmeters can measure both DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) voltages.

Review Questions

• Why must a voltmeter be connected in parallel with the component it is measuring?
• How does the internal resistance of a voltmeter affect its measurement accuracy?
• What are some factors that can influence the accuracy of a voltmeter?

Related terms

Ammeter: An instrument used to measure electric current flowing through a circuit; it is connected in series with the circuit.

Ohmmeter: An instrument used to measure electrical resistance; often combined with other functions in multimeters.

Multimeter: A versatile instrument that combines several measuring functions like voltage, current, and resistance into one unit.