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Difficulty: EasyMultimeter: Voltage and Current Measurement

A technician needs to measure the direct current drawn by a 9 V9\text{ V} battery-powered radio circuit using a digital multimeter. Which selector dial setting and circuit connection method should the technician use?

  1. A
    Set the selector dial to DCV and connect the test leads in parallel across the radio load.
  2. Set the selector dial to DCA and connect the test leads in series with the radio load.Answer
  3. C
    Set the selector dial to DCA and connect the test leads in parallel across the radio power terminals.
  4. D
    Set the selector dial to ACA and connect the test leads in series with the radio load.

Answer

Set the selector dial to DCA and connect the test leads in series with the radio load.
To measure direct current, the multimeter must be set to the DC current range (DCA) and connected in series with the component so that all current in that branch passes through the meter's internal shunt.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the electrical quantity to be measured and the type of power source.
The target measurement is direct current from a 9 V9\text{ V} DC battery, requiring the DCA (DC Current) dial position.
Multimeters feature distinct dial modes for alternating current (ACA) and direct current (DCA); DC circuits require DCA.
2
Determine the required physical probe hookup relative to the circuit.
The circuit must be opened and the meter placed in series with the radio load.
Current represents the rate of charge flow through a conductor, so the entire circuit current must pass directly through the meter.

Key Concept

Measuring DC current requires setting the multimeter dial to DCA and inserting the meter in series with the load.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Multimeter: Voltage and Current Measurement

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