Make Accurate Measurements with Digital Multimeter: 8 Hints
Application Notes
Hint 1. Avoid measurement errors caused by connections, test leads or wires
The simplest way to remove errors caused by connections and wires is to make a null measurement. For a DCV or resistance measurement, select the appropriate range for the measurement, then connect the probes together and wait for a measurement— it should be pretty close to zero—then press the null button. Subsequent readings will subtract the null measurement. Null measurements tend to work well for both DC and resistance measurements. Unfortunately, this technique does not work for AC measurements. AC converters are not designed to work at the lowest part of the range; the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 34401A digital multimeter’s analog converter is not specified below 10% of full-scale. Keysight’s 34410A and 34411A multimeters use a digital technique and can measure down to 1% of full scale, but they are not designed to measure a short.