Voltage and Current Meters

How to determine what voltmeter is right for you
By Christine Emmick Electrical current meters and voltage meters have a broad usage base and are made and sold to a variety of different disciplines. It's easy to get the wrong type of voltage meter unless you know exactly what type to look for.

While current meters are generally a low end capital investment, you also want to make sure you buy useful durable tools. Here are some things to consider when looking for the volt meter that is right for your type of business:

1. What range of current are you dealing with?
2. Is this a shop tool or do you need a electric current meter that you can take on the road?
3. Which is better for my line of work, digital or analog readout?

Choose a volt meter designed for its purpose

Volt meters come in such a wide range of styles an sizes that it's difficult to determine which one is best suited for your application. The more intricate your electrical work, the more options you need on your electrical voltage meter tools.
Try:  Digi-Key Corporation has over 400 types of meters available and carries specialty meters for the intricate needs of those in the components field. Fotronic Corporation has hundreds of meter tools and specialty meters available at their Test Equipment Depot; for instance, current probes and clamps are some of the meter accessories they carry.

Find the specific voltage and current meters designed for your line of work

You need to have a rugged voltmeter with impact resistance when using it in the field. For basic voltmeter needs, the added benefit of impact resistance makes any voltage and current meter last longer. But if field use is not what you need, tabletop models for high voltage requirements are found at specialty manufacturers and distributors.
Try:  Specifically designed for field use, the 1035 500V Megohmmeters Field Kit by Omni Controls gives those who need a rugged tool to survive the tests field use brings. 149-30A High Voltage Digital Voltmeter (DC 30kV) by Kikusui Electronics Corporation is a table top model for calibration of insulation and other testers.

Decide between an analog and digital voltage meter

Both digital and analog current meters have their benefits. When you switch to ammeter mode, an analog display is very sensitive and can read down to 50 µA, but most high-end digital voltmeters can equal this performance. If you are comfortable with the quality and longevity of the digital current meter, then you may want to make the investment.
Try:  Yokogawa Corporation of America carries a wide selection of analog panel current meters for specialty use in the electronics field. Large display options and small panel applications are just some of the meter selections available from Yokogawa. Valuetronics International sells high quality refurbished high end digital voltmeters at discounted prices.

• As with any electronic equipment and tools, voltmeters can come from the factory with damaged internal components. Be sure to check the manufacturer's warranty and return policy before investing even a small amount of capital.