Electronics Design
Group Assignment - Multimeter Test
For this assignment, I worked with Mckinnon Collins, Max Negrin, and Oliver Abbot to utilize lab equipment to test embedded microcontrollers. The full group documentation can be found here.
A Multimeter is a diagnostic tool used in engineering to measure key electrical properties in a circuit, including voltage (V), current (A), and resistance (Ω). Its purpose is to verify circuit operation, troubleshoot issues, and ensure components are functioning within safe limits. Voltage is measured in parallel across components, current is measured in series with the circuit path, and resistance is measured by testing how much a component opposes electrical flow. Many digital multimeters also include continuity and diode testing modes, making them essential tools for analyzing, debugging, and validating electronic systems.
Resistor Testing
The first test I conducted with the multimeter was a resistance test on a resistor. To do so, I utilized the ohm setting on my multimeter and pressed the probes against my resistor. The resistor ended up having a resistance of 384.8 ohms, a number very similar to its 383 ohm label. This tells me that the resistor is functioning and can be used in a circuit.
Voltage Testing
The second test I conducted with the multimeter was a voltage test on my XIAO RP2040. Since the microcontroller has both a 5V pin and a 3.3V pin, I wanted to see if it actually produced that much power. To conduct the test, I first plugged my XIAO RP2040 into a power source and switched my multimeter to the voltage setting (the one that say V, not mV). I then placed the black multimeter probe on the GND pin and the red probe on the 5V pin. The multimeter returned a value of 5.147 volts.
I then did the same thing with the 3V pin by moving the red probe to the pin. It returned a value of 3.307 volts.
Both pins returned a value that approximately matches their corresponding label. This allowed me to confirm that the microcontroller's pins are functional and actually fulfill their supposed purpose.