To measure voltage, a voltmeter is placed in

To measure voltage, a voltmeter is placed in

• A. In series
• B. Across the load
• C. In parallel
• D. In series with the source

Answer: (C)

To measure voltage, you connect the voltmeter across the two points where you want to know the potential difference. A voltmeter has a very high input resistance, so it draws almost no current. Placing it in parallel with the component or section of the circuit you’re measuring lets it read the same voltage that appears across that element without disturbing the circuit’s operation. If the meter were placed in series, it would become part of the current path and could alter how voltage is distributed, leading to an inaccurate reading. Conversely, putting the meter across the load (i.e., in parallel with the load) is exactly what you want, because it taps the voltage the load experiences.

To measure voltage, you connect the voltmeter across the two points where you want to know the potential difference. A voltmeter has a very high input resistance, so it draws almost no current. Placing it in parallel with the component or section of the circuit you’re measuring lets it read the same voltage that appears across that element without disturbing the circuit’s operation.

If the meter were placed in series, it would become part of the current path and could alter how voltage is distributed, leading to an inaccurate reading. Conversely, putting the meter across the load (i.e., in parallel with the load) is exactly what you want, because it taps the voltage the load experiences.