Multimeter vs Ohmmeter: Which is Right for You?

Electrical units play a significant role in our daily lives and many of us don't realize it. However, if you are someone who spends your time working with electronics, then knowing the units involved and how to use them is critical. One of the units that is quite often measured in electronic devices is resistance, and this is what an ohmmeter is used for. However, you may also be working on a complex project that requires more than just resistance measurement.

Other units of measurement that are just as commonly measured include voltage, AC/DC, temperature, and continuity. In such a situation, a meter with multiple detection capabilities or a "multimeter" would be required. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the difference between them, although they work with them. This guide will help you clear things up, so keep reading.

Types of Multimeters

A multimeter is a device that offers a wide range of options as standard. This makes it easier for users to choose when purchasing as they only need to select the meter that suits their needs. Most meters come with a few basic units, but there are some advanced options that also offer less common measurements. Basically, there are only two types of multimeters: analog multimeters and digital multimeters. (1)

The analog multimeter, considered the cheaper of the two, has an arrow dot (analog meter) above the printed measurement scale. This is generally not used anymore as their usage can be problematic and can be a bit inaccurate. The only use case where they light up is when you want to measure small changes in measurements, as the movement of the arrow can pick up even the smallest changes. Analog multimeters are also cheap and are based on a microammeter. Here is a tutorial for beginners on how to read an analog multimeter.

This device, called a digital multimeter or digital multimeter, is carried by all professional electricians and technicians. Since they are digital counters, this means you can get them with an LCD display instead of an arrow. They provide accurate measurements and come in several different measurement options. (2)

Cen-Tech and Astroai are two of the leading digital multimeter brands on the market today. You can check out its full review to see which one is best for you.

Ohmmeter types

There are three main types of ohmmeters: series ohmmeters, multirange ohmmeters, and shunt ohmmeters. They are all used to measure resistance, and here is how each one works.

For this ohmmeter, the component whose resistance you want to measure must be connected in series with the meter. The device works by passing current through the circuit, and the resistance added by the component reduces the measurement from zero to zero. Infinity represents free flow, and the closer the value is to zero, the more resistance there is in the circuit.

This type of ohmmeter requires the component to be connected to a battery in parallel, and the resistance is displayed with an arrow pointing to the left. The meter is quite simple and does not provide point measurements of current or infinity.

This is a long range ohmmeter that also has a regulator to help you change the range to suit your needs. In this case, the measuring component is connected in parallel with the meter, and the pointer can indicate the resistance value used.

Difference between multimeter and ohmmeter

The following table presents some of the key differences between an ohmmeter and a multimeter.

multimeter	ohmmeter
A multimeter can do the same job as an ohmmeter and measure other units such as frequency, temperature, voltage, capacitance, etc.	The only unit measured by an ohmmeter is resistance and continuity.
Multimeters tend to be more expensive, and depending on the functionality, they can get quite expensive.	Ohmmeters are much cheaper due to their limited functionality.
Multimeters are much more accurate due to their circuitry and the fact that they can make digital measurements.	Ohmmeter accuracy is not as good, especially due to the analog design.

Multimeter vs ohmmeter: who will win?

It is clear that from a functional point of view, a multimeter has much more capabilities than an ohmmeter. However, if resistance and continuity are all you care about and measurement and accuracy are not an issue, then an ohmmeter might be the best option for you. However, for the ultimate functional experience, you should opt for a multimeter with digital meters.

Recommendations

(1) basic units of measurement - https://www.britannica.com/video/

214818/What are SI-overview-international-system-of-units

(2) LCD Display — https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lcd.htm