A volt amp meter (also known as a multimeter) is an electronic device that measures the total voltage and current in an electrical circuit.

While interacting with professionals or service providers from the electrical industry, you will come across various technical terms that state the types, units and specifications of volt amp meters. This guide will familiarize you with the key terms of volt amp meters, such as AC, DC, ampere, ohm, volt-amp resistance, digital and analog voltmeters.

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AC (Alternating Current)

Alternating current flows from zero to a positive maximum and then back to zero; it then flows down again to a negative maximum and returns to zero.

I recommend: All About Circuits, an online resource, publishes technical information about alternating current.

DC (Direct Current)

Direct current is a current with unidirectional flow that a storage battery or electromagnetic induction produces.

I recommend: For information about direct current, you can read through the ‘Energy Dictionary’ by EnergyVortex.com.

Digital voltmeters

A digital voltmeter gives an accurate measurement of the voltage potential between two points in an electrical circuit.

I recommend: wiseGEEK, an online resource, provides detailed information about digital voltmeters.

Analog voltmeters

An analog voltmeter is the traditional measuring device. It measures the voltage or voltage drop in an electrical circuit.

I recommend: To learn more about analog voltmeters, you can read through information at GlobalSpec, a knowledge resource.

Ohm

Ohm is the derived unit of electrical resistance as per the SI (Systeme Internationale) standards. One ohm is defined as the resistance between two points that requires one volt of potential difference to produce one ampere of current.

I recommend: For more information about ohm, you can read through information at Furry Elephant, a knowledge resource for physics concepts.

Ampere

An ampere is the SI (Systeme Internationale) unit of electric current that is equal to one coulomb per second.

I recommend: To understand the basics of ampere, you can read through information at the NIST Physics Laboratory, a service provider for the electronic, optical and radiation industry.

Volt-amp resistance

Volt-amp resistance is the unit to measure reactive power of an electronic circuit.

I recommend: You can read through the glossary of technical terms at SaskPower (PDF), a leading supplier of electricity.

Diode testing

Diode testing is an important function of a volt amp meter. It tests the resistance of diodes in forward and backward directions. Some volt amp meters have special diode testing range incorporated in the device.

I recommend: To get more information on diode testing, you can read through the information at Learnabout-electronics.org, a useful resource on electronic components.

A set of power measurement tools wouldn't be complete without a volt amp meter, especially when you need to be able to determine the maximum power available from a source that is already feeding a load. Residential electrical meters also use a volt-amp type meter, which ignores power factor and ensures that consumers pay for the extra current when they have large appliances that present a reactive load.

You'll find volt amp meter and watt meter products often used in conjunction to determine the power factor of the load. Then a capacitive or inductive load shunt can be calculated, which would cancel the load reactance in order to minimize the current drawn from the source. Volt amp meter information to consider when purchasing include AC and DC voltage ranges, AC current ranges and resistance ranges. When shopping for volt amp meters:

1. Scan a volt amp meter directory of products for hand-held units.

2. Search for a volt amp meter for residential metering.

3. Find a volt amp meter provider carrying panel meters.

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Get a hand-held volt amp meter for lower power field applications

For general purpose field use, hand-held volt amp meter products typically handle voltages of up to 600 volts and currents of up to 400 amps.

I recommend: Professional Equipment and Rick-N-Steve each have a volt amp meter list worth considering. Professional Equipment carries a full array of testing and inspection equipment. Rick-N-Steve also carries a number of models.

Purchase a volt amp meter for measuring residential electricity usage

The residential electric meter measures the electricity used. Just as you purchase groceries and gasoline, you buy kilowatt hours (kWh) of electric power. One kWh provides enough energy to generate one hour of light from ten 100-watt lamps. These meters measure volt amps (apparent power) rather than watts (real power). That's why you are charged more if your large appliances present a largely reactive load.

I recommend: Sensus Metering Systems has residential electric meters with measurement accuracy that exceeds ANSI C12.20 (Class 0.2) standards. Master Meter has systems that allow walk-by or drive-by meter wireless meter reading.

Buy a volt amp meter designed to be installed on a panel

In an electrical control panel, a volt amp meter, when required, takes the form of a panel meter. These panel meters are available from a number of suppliers.

I recommend: Cloud EV carries a whole line of electrical panel meters, including volt/amp meters, as does Yokogawa.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In order to minimize the waste of electricity and paying for more electricity than you actually use, use a volt amp meter to have the largest appliances at your business analyzed for reactive load and shunted to counteract and eliminate the reactance of the load they present to the electric utility company.

Volt amp meters are useful for many different professionals, but especially electricians and mechanics. Businesses rely on these devices in order to make their operations run smoothly. Since budgets have been set by the most reliable of businesses, it is important that those who need them are able to find volt amp meters at competitive prices. Businesses can compare capabilities by examining a volt amp meter list. This can also give them an idea of what they need and how much it is going to cost them. However, there are other things to take into account when considering volt amp meter pricing and costs.

There are many things to keep in mind when it comes to finding volt amp meters to fit a budget and provide reliable capabilities. When shopping for an volt amp meter, you should:

1. Consider purchasing items online for more competitive prices;

2. Look for a volt amp meter provider who will offer wholesale prices on volt amp meters;

3. Understand that there are price differences between elaborate and simple models.

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Look for volt amp meters online

Volt amp meter information has shown that, because there is such stiff competition online, the prices are more competitive. As a result, you can probably find lower prices for volt amp meters online as opposed to brick and mortar stores. A volt amp meter directory or other useful website can provide potential consumers with a wide variety of models, saving companies not just money, but time as well.

I recommend: Some websites show the differences in price between volt amp meter provider sites. Google Product Search offers many products in several price ranges -- from less than $70 to more than $1,000. You can also check out the $81.95 volt amp meter at Professional Equipment. Electrical Tools is selling the same amp volt meter for less than $80.

Find volt amp meter providers offering wholesale prices

You can save a lot of money when you purchase items in bulk or from wholesalers. Consider using one of these types of providers for a price break on volt amp meters.

I recommend: AliBaba offers a wholesaler volt amp meter directory.

Pay attention to volt amp meter models and capabilities

More elaborate devices are often more expensive. This is true of volt amp meters, as well as other tools and devices. Likewise, simple volt amp meters will be less expensive.

I recommend: A $549.95 Blue Sea DC panel volt amp meter is more expensive than a simple volt amp meter, because it has more features, as shown at Binnacle. PartStore offers an elaborate volt amp meter that is also a power inverter for $211.95. It is also worth noting that digital volt amp meters are often more expensive than those with analog displays.