Electricians rely on numerous types of meters to test the quality of electronic circuits, among other wiring functions like continuity and amperage. If you are new to electrical contractor work, review some of the most common meters below for a quick refresher before visiting your local electrical tool supply store.

Essential Electrician Meters

1. Ammeter

Ammeters measure the electric current flowing through a circuit. Those that measure smaller—milliampere to microampere-range—circuits are called milliammeters or microammeters. Depending on the tester you purchase, you may also use your ammeter to read continuity, resistance, capacitance, and voltage.

Ammeters come in moving-coil, moving-iron, and moving-magnet varieties, among others. Moving-coil ammeters, for example, rely on magnetic deflection for testing purposes.

2. Voltmeter

Used to measure the potential difference between two electrical circuit points, or voltage, voltmeters come in digital and analog versions. Digital versions improve accuracy by providing the voltage result as a number instead of using a pointer on a scale.

3. Harmonics Tester

Harmonic current production affecting power quality has several explanations, including electronic ballasts, adaptable drive speeds, and data processing equipment. Testing helps electricians solve power quality issues by measuring current and voltage waveforms on different frequencies.

4. Ohmmeter

An ohmmeter electrical tool measures an object’s electrical resistance, or how much it resists electrical current flow. Object resistance depends mainly on the material; for example, metal objects offer high conductivity and low resistance, while rubber has low conductivity and high resistance. Micro-ohmmeters measure small resistance values, and meg-ohmmeters measure large resistance values.

5. Multimeter

A multiuse electrical tool, the multimeter is a staple member of any electrician’s work kit, providing ohmmeter, voltmeter, and ammeter functions. High-quality versions offer accurate readings of AC and DC voltage, resistance, capacitance, continuity, and frequency. They can also test batteries and electric motors, among other capabilities, and they come in digital and analog readout forms.

Find meters and other electrical tools at Lincoln Winlectric, the electrical supply store serving contractors throughout South Lincoln, NE, for over 30 years. Offering more than 10,000 quality products from top manufacturers—including Cooper Lighting®, Milwaukee®, and Generac®—you’ll work with friendly, knowledgeable team members ready to match you with the right tools. Call (402) 423-3100 with questions, or search for electrical tools online.