This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Multimeters category on DigiKey.com
Products in this family can be used to make a variety of basic electrical and electronic measurements, and are one of the most fundamental tools used in the electrical or electronic trades. Price points, feature sets, and performance levels vary significantly, though most devices are capable of measuring both AC and DC current and voltage, as well as testing for circuit continuity. Additional features often found include measurement of temperature, resistance, capacitance, and frequency. They are generally incapable of making measurements at high speeds, and as such are used primarily for measuring low-frequency phenomena or quantities that can be meaningfully represented as time-averaged values, such as the amount of current flow in an AC-powered appliance.
SelectionCharacteristics
Style: Indicates the style and configuration of the device.
Type: Indicates the specific type of meter and as such defining how it operates.
Display Digits: Indicates the number of digits shown in the display. Fractional digits indicate that the leading digit will not show all numbers 0~9 as a result of range scaling limitations.
Display Type: Describes the technology used for the display.
Display Count: Indicates display resolution and range scaling. For example, a 3000-count meter can show 4 digits, and has measurement ranges of 3 times some power of 10, such as 300, 3K, 30M, etc.
Function: Indicates which electrical parameters which are measurable by the device.
Functions, Extra: Enumerates additional device functions/features not addressed elsewhere.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as auto off, hold, or record.
Ranging: Indicates whether measurement range selection is manual, automatic, or automatic with manual override capability.
Response: Indicates whether a meter provides time-averaged or Root Mean Squared AC measurements. True RMS meters provide greater accuracy for distorted or non-sinusoidal AC waveforms.
Ratings: Minimum performance standards of the device, which are typically set by a third party.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | MN35 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | MN35-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | FLIR Extech |
| DESCRIPTION | Manual Average Handheld Digital (DMM) Multimeter 4.0 Digit LCD Display Voltage, Current, Resistance, Temperature Battery Test, Continuity, Diode Test Function Features Hold |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | BBT858L |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2329-BBT858L-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Triplett |
| DESCRIPTION | Manual Average Pocket Digital (DMM) Multimeter 3.5 Digit LCD Display Voltage, Current, Resistance, Temperature Battery Test Function Features Hold |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
What is Auto vs. Manual Ranging: Multimeters
How to Measure Voltage, Current, and More
What are CAT (Category) Safety Ratings in Multimeters?
Articles
PXI Modular Test Instruments and Software
Product Training Modules
Introduction to Multimeter Basics - Fluke
Blogs
The Basics of Choosing a Multimeter
What are Multimeter CAT (Category) Safety Ratings?
How to Properly Measure Resistance
How to Measure Voltage in a Circuit
How to Measure Current in a Circuit
Additional Product Features Can Prove Worthwhile
TechForum
Understanding Digital Multimeter (DMM) specifications
Measuring Small Currents Using a Clamp Multimeter
Understanding Input CAT Ratings for Test Equipment
More Forum posts on Multimeters