ME 120

• Description: A multimeter is an instrument used to measure electrical resistance, voltage, and current. Each students is required to have a digital multimeter for this class. We recommend purchasing a modestly low-cost meter in the range $15 to $35 for this class. A $15 multimeter is perfectly adequate. A $5 multimeter may work, but we have had difficulty with such inexpensive meters in the past. Lab technicians, electricians and engineers often use multimeters costing $200 or more, but that level of multimeter is not necessary for this class.

Students purchasing multimeters on-line should consider pooling their orders to get volume discounts (for 10 or more) and to reduce shipping costs.

• Purpose: Students will be taught how to use a multimeter to troubleshoot electrical circuits, and to verify important fundamental principles of DC circuits.
• Source:
  • Sparkfun sells a decent, low cost digital multimeter for $15 plus shipping. The multimeter has all the functions necessary for class, but it is not auto-ranging.
  • Amazon sells a low-cost multimeter for $20 plus shipping. This multimeter will work for the class.
  • The local Fry's store has a low-cost, digital multimeter for $20.

Better multimeters are autoranging, which makes measurement easier. But, the multimeter shown will work well for this course.

• Approximate Cost: $15

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