Definition of voltmeter Voltmeter

volt•me•ter

We found 7 definitions of voltmeter from 7 different sources.

What does voltmeter mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: voltmeters
voltmeter - meter that measures the potential difference between two points
		meter any of various measuring instruments for measuring a quantity
		electronic voltmeter a voltmeter whose sensitivity is increased by amplification

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Wiktionary

voltmeter (Noun)
An instrument for measuring electric potential in volts.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

voltmeter (n.)
An instrument for measuring in volts the differences of potential between different points of an electrical circuit.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

voltmeter
An instrument used for measuring the voltage between two points in an electric circuit.

Electrical DictionaryThe Standard Electrical Dictionary 💡

voltmeter
An instrument for determining the potential difference of any two points.
In many cases it is a calibrated galvanometer wound with a coil of high resistance. The object to be attained is that it shall receive only an insignificant portion of current and that such portion shall suffice to actuate it. If connected in parallel with any portion of a circuit, it should not noticeably diminish its resistance.
The divisions into which ammeters range themselves answer for voltmeters. In practice the same construction is adopted for both. The different definitions of ammeters in disclosing the general lines of these instruments are in general applicable to voltmeters, except that the wire winding of the coils must be of thin wire of great length. The definitions of ammeters may be consulted with the above understanding for voltmeters.
In the use made of voltmeters there is a distinction from ammeters. An ammeter is a current measurer and all the current measured must be passed through it. But while a voltmeter is in fact a current measurer, it is so graduated and so used that it gives in its readings the difference of potential existing between two places on a circuit, and while measuring the current passing through its own coils, it is by calibration made to give not the current intensity, but the electro-motive force producing such current.
In use it may be connected to two terminals of an open circuit, when as it only permits an inconsiderable current to pass, it indicates the potential difference existing between such points on open circuit. Or it may be connected to any two parts of a closed circuit. Owing to its high resistance, although it is in parallel with the intervening portion of the circuit, as it is often connected in practice, it is without any appreciable effect upon the current. It will then indicate the potential difference existing between the two points.
Voltmeter, Battery. A voltmeter for use in running batteries. In one form (Wirt's) it is constructed for a low range of voltage, reading up to two and a half volts and having exactly one ohm resistance, thus giving the battery some work to do.

Wikipedia

A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure voltage. For instance, a voltmeter can be used to see if there is more electricity left in a battery. The creation of voltmeters became possible when Hans Oersted invented the most simple voltmeter on 1819.

Connecting a voltmeter.

The voltmeter can be connected with two wires to where the voltage is. One wire is the positive one, and the other the negative. With some voltmeters, one "must" make sure that the wires are connected right: the positive connection on the voltmeter to the more positive "part" of the voltage source, and the negative to the more negative "part". This way, the voltmeter is parallel to the electrical circuit.

One should also be careful about handling the connection: If there is a high voltage (many volts), one can get hurt or even killed by touching the metal connections with the voltage directly.

How voltmeters show the voltage.

When the connections are made, the voltmeter shows the voltage. As there is no direct way to assess the voltage, voltmeters are indeed designed as special ammeters which can calculate the voltage by assessing the electrical current and applying the Ohm's law.

There are two kinds of voltmeters. One kind has a needle, or "pointer", that points to a number that tells the number of volts. This is the kind of voltmeter where one has to be careful about making the positive and negative connections right — if wrong connections are made, the voltmeter can be damaged.

The second kind of voltm