As I noted in a previous post, the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) has issued a call for comments on the current Technician Class question pool with an eye towards the question pool update in 2018. On the ham_ instructor mailing list, we’ve already debated the notation used to refer to SWR values, and I expect we’ll continue to discuss other topics as well.
I’d like to discuss how the question pool refers to the meters that we use to measure electrical parameters, namely “voltmeter,” “ammeter,” and “ohmmeter.” I’ve included the questions below.
I’m thinking that perhaps we should get rid of those words and perhaps instead of saying “voltmeter,” the question or answer should read “a multimeter that can measure volts” or simply “multimeter.” The same could be said for “ammeter” and “ohmmeter.” I don’t know of anyone who uses an instrument that only measures volts, current, or resistance any more.
What do you think?
VOLTMETER
T7D01 (B)
Which instrument would you use to measure electric potential or electromotive force?
A. An ammeter
B. A voltmeter
C. A wavemeter
D. An ohmmeter
T7D02 (B)
What is the correct way to connect a voltmeter to a circuit?
A. In series with the circuit
B. In parallel with the circuit
C. In quadrature with the circuit
D. In phase with the circuit
T7D03 (A)
How is an ammeter usually connected to a circuit?
A. In series with the circuit
B. In parallel with the circuit
C. In quadrature with the circuit
D. In phase with the circuit
T7D12 (B)
Which of the following precautions should be taken when measuring high voltages with a voltmeter?
A. Ensure that the voltmeter has very low impedance
B. Ensure that the voltmeter and leads are rated for use at the voltages to be measured
C. Ensure that the circuit is grounded through the voltmeter
D. Ensure that the voltmeter is set to the correct frequency
AMMETER
T5B06 (C)
If an ammeter calibrated in amperes is used to measure a 3000-milliampere current, what reading would it show?
A. 0.003 amperes
B. 0.3 amperes
C. 3 amperes
D. 3,000,000 amperes
T7D04 (D)
Which instrument is used to measure electric current?
A. An ohmmeter
B. A wavemeter
C. A voltmeter
D. An ammeter
OHMMETER
T7D05 (D)
What instrument is used to measure resistance?
A. An oscilloscope
B. A spectrum analyzer
C. A noise bridge
D. An ohmmeter
T7D10 (B)
What is probably happening when an ohmmeter, connected across an unpowered circuit, initially indicates a low resistance and then shows increasing resistance with time?
A. The ohmmeter is defective
B. The circuit contains a large capacitor
C. The circuit contains a large inductor
D. The circuit is a relaxation oscillator
T7D11 (B)
Which of the following precautions should be taken when measuring circuit resistance with an ohmmeter?
A. Ensure that the applied voltages are correct
B. Ensure that the circuit is not powered
C. Ensure that the circuit is grounded
D. Ensure that the circuit is operating at the correct frequency
nathan alldredge says
thanks to your audio book on amazon I was able to pass my Technician Class license, cant wait for your general and extra to come out. still waiting for my call sign. 73
Rob says
I’m going to say that it’s been several decades since I’ve used a non-multimeter, and that these revisions really do make some sense. However, it is a lot easier to say “voltmeter” than “multimeter switched to read volts,” and I’m guessing that most people read “voltmeter” and sort of automatically plug in the complete multimeter phrase. I can see where it would throw a newbie though.
It’s a weird, tough call that ultimately doesn’t seem to amount to much in the end.
Walter Underwood K6WRU says
I’m kind of OK with the Volt, Amp, and Ohm meters, because that is a pretty direct mapping from the units. Does not seem like a big obstacle, even to people who are not native English speakers.
Now “wavemeter”. That is a thing, but pretty obscure.
“Oscilloscope”? That is a crazy word.
Dan KB6NU says
“Oscilloscope” is a crazy word, but we don’t really have an alternative for that.
Walter Underwood K6WRU says
To answer the question in the title, the last time I used an ammeter was whenever I last looked at that meter on my metered power supply. My ancient Fluke multimeter measures Amps, but I can’t remember using it for that.
Dan KB6NU says
I’ve used my multimeter to measure current. Having said that, I think that instead of asking the question pool committee to change the wording of the current questions, I’m going to ask them to add a question along the lines of “What instrument combines the functions of a voltmeter, an ammeter, and an ohmmeter?”
Dave, N8SBE says
The questions that remind you to always connect a voltmeter across the circuit, an ammeter in series with the circuit, and an ohmmeter only when the circuit is powered down, would lose their impact if all those ‘*meters’ were replaced with ‘multimeter’.
I’d say leave it alone. Maybe add the question about what combines all those functions, as you indicated above.
Dan KB6NU says
I received this via email this morning and thought it was kind of ironic: