Make Simple DC Power Measurements with a Digital Multimeter
Application Notes
Most engineers need to measure power. In fact, power measurements can often tell you the most about what you’re testing. For many years, the digital multimer (DMM) has served as the go-to solution for measuring power. While DMMs can measure current (I) and voltage (V), their internal architecture inhibits their ability to measure both at the same time. However, if you use a few techniques and the right equipment, you can get a good V / I measurement from your benchtop DMM. You can use those measurements to calculate DC power. This brief describes several methods that can help you make simple DC power measurements.