Long before you reach for an oscilloscope or a spectrum analyzer, there's one instrument on virtually every electronics bench: the multimeter. If you're asking what it actually measures and why some cost ten times more than others, here's the answer.
What Is a Multimeter?
A digital multimeter (DMM) measures basic electrical quantities — voltage, current, and resistance — and, on bench-grade instruments, often much more: capacitance, frequency, temperature, and diode/continuity testing. It's a single-point, single-value reading, unlike an oscilloscope which shows a signal's full waveform over time.
Key Specifications to Consider
- Digit resolution — a 5½ or 6½ digit multimeter resolves far smaller changes than a basic 3½ digit handheld unit
- Basic accuracy — how close the displayed reading is to the true value, expressed as a percentage plus counts
- Reading rate — how many measurements per second the meter can take, important for data logging and automated test
- Remote programmability — SCPI/LAN/USB control for building the meter into an automated test system
Typical Applications
Bench multimeters are used for component verification, power supply and battery diagnostics, calibration and metrology work, and as the measurement backbone of automated test equipment (ATE) systems.
Multimeters from ALLdata
RIGOL's DM series covers the full range of bench precision: the high-resolution RIGOL DM3068 (6½ digit), the RIGOL DM3058 and RIGOL DM3058E (5½ digit), and the compact RIGOL DM858. Reach out if you need help matching accuracy and resolution to your application.