Multimeter is a popular type of handheld electrical measuring instrument.
Like its name as multimeter, it works as an ammeter, voltmeter, and ohmmeter to measure current, voltage, and resistance respectively. It is also called Ampere-Volt-Ohm (AVO) meter or Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter (VOM).
There are two types of multimeters.
- Analog type multimeter
- Digital type multimeter
These two classified multimeters are capable of measuring and displaying accurate reading in different ways. Also, both are used for different purposes as they come up with different specifications.
In this tutorial, we are going to study what is the difference between analog and digital multimeter.
Analog Multimeter vs Digital Multimeter
Let’s compare the analog and digital multimeter in tabular form.
| # | Content | Analog Multimeter | Digital Multimeter |
| 01 | [Definition] What is the analog & digital multimeter? | The multimeter having the ability to measure electrical quantities and to display their reading on the scale by moving the pointer is called ‘Analog Multimeter’. | The multimeter having the ability to measure electrical quantities and to display their reading on screen by the numerical value is called ‘Digital Multimeter’. |
| 02 | Synonyms | Sometimes, the Analog multimeter is called ‘AMM’ or ‘Analogous multimeter’. | The digital multimeter is also called ‘DMM’. |
| 03 | Representation of measuring signal | This instrument shows a continuous signal. | This instrument shows the discrete signal. |
| 04 | Size of multimeters | The analog multimeter occurs in a large size as compared to the digital multimeter. | The digital multimeter occurs in a small or pocket size. |
| 05 | Reading display | In an analog multimeter, the reading displays on the reading scale (like vacuum fluorescent). | In a digital multimeter, the reading displays on the digital (like LED or LCD) screen. |
| 06 | Calibration | This multimeter has the ability to provide manual calibration. | This multimeter has the ability to provide automatic calibration. |
| 07 | Measurement accuracy | In the case of measurement, it gives less accuracy. | It gives more accuracy as compared to the analog multimeter. |
| 08 | Cost | Analog multimeter can easily get at a low cost. | Digital multimeter is very costly. |
| 09 | Output readability | It indicates the approximate or less accurate reading due to pointer moves over the calibration scale. | It indicates accurate reading due to the numerical value. |
| 10 | Nature of the signal in multimeter | The moving pointer or needle gives a continuous movement in order of magnitude for momently changes of the signal. | This does not give a continuous movement in order of magnitude. |
| 11 | Polarity function of both multimeter | In an analog multimeter, the positive and negative polarities are represented by using the right and left sides of pointer deflection respectively. | In a digital multimeter, the positive and negative polarities are represented by using the positive and negative signs respectively. |
| 12 | Auto-polarity function | It does not have an auto-polarity function. It requires the test leads and probes to detect the polarities. | It has an auto-polarity function. |
| 13 | Sensitive | This is a very sensitive type of instrument. | This is not much sensitive type of instrument. |
| 14 | Operation | It is not easy to handle as compared to the digital multimeter. | It is very easy to handle. |
| 15 | Speed of operation | The analog multimeter has a lower speed. | The digital multimeter has a higher speed. |
| 16 | Error | This instrument contains a number of different scales. Thus, the user can be confused to find out accurately measured units. They were often a cause of the error. | The user gets an accurate reading in numerical form. Thus, there is not much error in a digital instrument. |
These 16 points have covered the difference between analog and digital multimeters. And this difference describes the advantages and disadvantages of an analog and digital multimeter.
Read more related:
Multimeter Uses
These types of instruments are widely used in-
- electrical circuit lab for testing circuits,
- troubleshooting a communication circuit,
- electrical project lab,
- maintaining and performing many kinds of tasks in outdoor fields like a substation.
These are the basic applications in daily life. Mostly linemen or technicians already know the importance and benefits of having a multimeter tool.
If you have any queries regarding analog multimeter and digital multimeter, drop your comment below.
Other related tutorials:
- Types of Measuring Instruments
- Alternating Current vs Direct Current
- Types of Sensors
- Electrical vs Electronics
- Electric Power vs Energy
- Active Power vs Reactive Power
- Core Transformer vs Shell Transformer
Thanks for Reading!
I have completed master in Electrical Power System. I work and write technical tutorials on the PLC, MATLAB programming, and Electrical on DipsLab.com portal.
Sharing my knowledge on this blog makes me happy. And sometimes I delve in Python programming.
Analog multimeter- They gives numerical values and their is gross errors.
Digital multimeter- They gives value in digital numerical (Accurate) and in this meter no gross errors.
Thanks, Aman to add these points.
great…work… appreciable
Thanks 🙂