Measuring direction of DC ma with 2 digital multimeters

Thread Starter

Jan Luthe

Joined Jan 10, 2015
89
Can Can I hook up 2 DMM in parallel with positive of DMM1 to negative of DMM2 and neg of DMM1 to +ve of DMM2 and install this in series with circuit in order to measure ma and which way the current is flowing?
 

Thread Starter

Jan Luthe

Joined Jan 10, 2015
89
I think there are times when, in my circuit, the current reverses and I am trying to monitor when this happens. Basically in one direction the current is supplied by a 'charging system' and other times by a solar panel. I would like to determine when and by how much (ma).
 

recklessrog

Joined May 23, 2013
985
Can Can I hook up 2 DMM in parallel with positive of DMM1 to negative of DMM2 and neg of DMM1 to +ve of DMM2 and install this in series with circuit in order to measure ma and which way the current is flowing?
Strange how this thread should come up today, Having just repaired a piece of equipment, I was setting the o/p offset of an op amp circuit today, and although I own several DMM's, I have an analogue meter that has a center zero function (center = 0v, -ve left needle deflection, +ve right needle deflection) and I just prefer the visual effect of a swinging needle to the dancing reading of a DMM. (probably a sign of my age)
 

recklessrog

Joined May 23, 2013
985
I think there are times w is hen, in my circuit, the current reverses and I am trying to monitor when this happens. Basically in one direction the current is supplied by a 'charging system' and other times by a solar panel. I would like to determine when and by how much (ma).

That isn't current reversal, it's just the same direction current supplied from two different sources. Reversal would be whether for instance an accumulator is supplying current (discharged) or being charged. Current out/current in. As stated above, most Dmm's automatically show polarity, or a center zero analogue ammeter as used in vehicles would do the job.
 

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
34,201
I think there are times when, in my circuit, the current reverses and I am trying to monitor when this happens. Basically in one direction the current is supplied by a 'charging system' and other times by a solar panel. I would like to determine when and by how much (ma).
A standard multimeter will measure both current directions, with a minus "-" sign at the left of the display showing minus to plus flow and no sign (blank) indicating plus to minus flow.

Two multimeters are not needed (and would not indicate correctly if you did use two).
 
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