The correct way to connect a test voltmeter in a circuit is

The correct way to connect a test voltmeter in a circuit is

• A. in series with the unit
• B. across the power supply only
• C. in parallel with the component under test
• D. in parallel with the source

Answer: (C)

Voltmeter measures the potential difference between two points, so to read the voltage across a component you place the meter in parallel with that component. This arrangement taps into the same two nodes as the component and reads the voltage drop without altering the current flow. The meter is designed with very high internal resistance, so it draws almost no current and doesn’t noticeably affect the circuit. If you put the meter in series, it would disrupt current and give a misleading reading, and measuring across the power supply or in parallel with the source would just show the supply voltage, not the voltage across the component.

Voltmeter measures the potential difference between two points, so to read the voltage across a component you place the meter in parallel with that component. This arrangement taps into the same two nodes as the component and reads the voltage drop without altering the current flow. The meter is designed with very high internal resistance, so it draws almost no current and doesn’t noticeably affect the circuit. If you put the meter in series, it would disrupt current and give a misleading reading, and measuring across the power supply or in parallel with the source would just show the supply voltage, not the voltage across the component.