A multimeter is a very crucial device for troubleshooting and measuring the performance of a machine or circuit. To use it properly, you should understand how every one of the common multimeter function settings work.
A dial of a multimeter has settings to measure the following:
- Voltage
- Amperage
- Diode testing
- Capacitance
- Ohms
- Temperature
Other more advanced multimeters might have a button allowing you to access a second menu that might involve DC amps, milliamps, microamps, and other measurements.
Take note that all multimeters have a common probe and positive probe. The lead of the probes should be inserted into their corresponding inputs on the multimeter for better accuracy.
When using a multimeter, one of the things you need to understand is RMS and peak. You may be wondering, does a multimeter measure RMS or peak? Let’s find out in this article.
Can a multimeter measure RMS?
Leak peak and average, RMS measurement applies only to measuring AC even though it might be superposed to a DC offset. Keep in mind that the values when measuring EMS are a bit costliest than measuring standard values.
That’s why a lot of multimeters stay away from RMS values. As an alternative, they presume your signal is a sine and measure the standard value for the peak value or the rectified sine after applying a conversion factor to locate the assumed RMS value.
Keep in mind that a multimeter is a test tool used to measure two or more electrical values over several value ranges. Measuring current accurately in modern industrial plants, offices, and homes is more challenging than ever.
As people depend on computers and other complicated types of machinery attracting current in short pulses, the accuracy of an average multimeter is often compromised. That indicates the results you receive from a digital multimeter might not be dependable in the majority of situations.
So, how can you fix that? That’s why it’s important to invest in a true RMS multimeter.
Your results are always straightforward and accurate when your multimeter is utilized to measure DC current. Nonetheless, the same can’t be said for AC current, as it travels back and forth down a conductor and could be described best in a graphic presentation.
In other words, it’s delivered using a sine wave, thus continuously changing in voltage. For AC currents along with a perfect sine wave, an RMS current will be a constant factor of the peak current. Still, perfect sine waves are extremely rare in both commercial and industrial applications.
Therefore, what happens if the current you’re measuring isn’t a perfect sine wave. The above statute no longer applies.
In these situations, the use of an average multimeter produces undependable results, and only a true RMS multimeter can present you with accurate results. However, what about if the AC, which RMS value you like to measure, is a perfect sine wave? Then you will not want a true RMS multimeter.
Introducing True RMS
You will require a more dependable and reliable multimeter that can measure the current along with the highest level of accuracy, especially when the current is non-linear. You will find two ways of doing that. You could either utilize a waveform capturing device to check the waveform or buy a true RMS multimeter to get dependable results.
If you didn’t know, true RMS is an innovative measurement method utilized by digital multimeters that offer real, efficient value of AC levels. Note that it does not matter if the wave is non-linear or linear because a true RMS multimeter changes itself to present the accurate results you need.
Basically, it saves you a huge amount of effort and time and clears all misunderstandings when testing at the same time. Are you one of those who are serious about investing in a dependable meter? Then a true RMS meter must take superiority on your buying list.
Should You Use a True RMS Multimeter?
One of the best things about RMS is that it efficiently measures the equivalent DC value of an AC waveform. You will find different ways for calculating AC, but the most preferable and accurate way is to use the true RMS method. Nonetheless, measuring RMS values is much more complex than it seems.
You may now be wondering, why bother if it is that complicated? That’s because true RMS is considered the only measurement offering AC voltage readings, independent of the signal shape.
Remember that a standard multimeter utilizes standard mathematical equations to compute pure sinusoidal waves. It could also be utilized to compute non-sinusoidal waves but with a very low accuracy. In short, a true RMS multimeter can measure both two waves with a greater level of accuracy.
How to Maximize Your RMS Measurements
Try to consider the level of difficulties and importance you have experienced in measuring true RMS values. Now ask yourself, what are the things you should do to accomplish better outcomes?
- Learn how your multimeter measures RMS – When we talk about measuring RMS values, digital multimers are not made the same. Knowing and learning the technology that your meter utilizes to measure RMS could help you determine if it suits your requirements.
- Prevent common measurement mistakes – One of the best things you can do to get accurate RMS results is to keep on different factors that might decrease your reading’s overall accuracy. These factors include measurements below full scale, setting period, first reading accuracy, low-level measurement errors, and harmonic content, among others.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that an RMS multimeter is a crucial part of your electrical toolkit. It does not just offer you electrical measurements with accuracy, but it also saves you a huge amount of money and time in the long run.
The necessity for true RMS multimeters has increased rapidly in the past years as the likelihood of non-sinusoidal waves in circuits keeps increasing as well. On top of that, a true RMS multimeter could be extremely practical when you measure current when alternating current characteristics are still not known.
