A multimeter is such type of device which is used to measure many types of electrical circuits such as current, voltage, resistance, inductance, capacitance, and electrical frequency.
The most important difference between an analog multimeter and the digital multimeter is that
the analog multimeter includes a scale and a deflection pointer which actually specifies the value to be measured on the scale,
while, in digital multimeters, a digital display like an LCD directly displays the value.
Pros Tips:
Digital Multimeter has good quality on the basis of certain factors like high accuracy, ease for reading calibration, cost,
advanced functions of troubleshooting, TRMS Technology, construction, supply source, input signals, and noise.
What is the main difference between analog and digital multi-meter?
The following table keys out the main differences between Analog and Digital multimeters.
| Characteristics | Analog Multimeter | Digital Multimeter |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Prone to error because of wrong pointer based reading | Measures with great accuracy |
| Reading | Provides reading on a scale against pointer | Provides reading in numeric form appeared on a LCD |
| Calibration | Calibration is done manually | They are calibrated automatically before taking any measurement |
| Cost | Less costly as they offer very few features | Expensive as they offer a wide range of features |
| Range | Have to set a range of measurement manually | Mostly, they have auto-ranging feature but costlier than their counter-parts |
| Measuring parameters | Usually it measures current, voltage, and resistance | Measures current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, and inductance as well |
| ADC Requirement | Does not require analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to display reading | Requires ADC in order to display the reading on LCD |
| AC Frequency | Highest AC Frequency which can be measured is lower | The highest AC Frequency which can be measured is higher than its counterpart |
| Construction | Construction is easy and simple | Complicated construction because of several electronic and logic components involvement |
| Power supply | Is not required | Is required in these types of meters |
| Size | Bigger in size | Very small like hand-held devices |
| Noise | Suffer less from electric noise | Suffer more from electric noise |
| Input signals | Displays only one input signal value | It is able to accept multiple inputs and has adjustable displays which allow user to choose between the input signals |