Meaning & use
voltmeter
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
An instrument used to measure the voltage, or electrical potential difference, between two points in a circuit.
Grammar: Countable: a voltmeter, two voltmeters. Often used with 'connect' or 'measure'.
Patterns
- connect a voltmeter across something
- measure something with a voltmeter
To check the battery, connect a voltmeter across its terminals.
The voltmeter reading showed a potential difference of 1.5 volts.
He used a digital voltmeter to measure the voltage in the circuit.
Word forms
| plural | voltmeters |
|---|
Common combinations
- digital voltmeter
- A digital voltmeter displays the voltage as a number.
- connect a voltmeter across
- Connect the voltmeter across the resistor to measure the voltage drop.
- voltmeter reading
- The voltmeter reading was steady at 12 volts.
Commonly confused: voltmeter or ammeter?
voltmeter vs ammeter
An ammeter measures current and is connected in series, while a voltmeter measures voltage and is connected in parallel.
Practice
How is a voltmeter usually connected in a circuit?
Choose one answer.
A voltmeter must be connected in parallel with the component whose voltage you want to measure. Connecting it in series (option 0) would change the circuit and give an incorrect reading, and the other options are not standard practice.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “voltmeter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.