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Article: How to select the right ammeter. (Test & Measurement).
- Article from:
- R & D
- Article date:
- July 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Advantage Business Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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As modern electronic components become smaller and use less power, associated R&D of new material and components require measuring very low currents. Nanoamp ([10.sup.-9]A) measurements and lower are becoming increasingly more common. Measurement of such low-level currents requires careful ammeter selection and use. However, the correct choice of instrument depends not only on the magnitude of the current, but also on characteristics of the signal source.
Imagine a circuit with a current ([I.sub.s]) running through it. If the current is directed through an ammeter, it is reasonable to expect that the ammeter reading ([I.sub.M]) will be essentially equal to the ...