The impedance of a voltmeter indicates which of the following?

Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The key idea is how a voltmeter interacts with the circuit when you measure voltage. A voltmeter is connected in parallel and presents a finite impedance. That impedance determines how much current the meter will draw from the circuit, effectively how much load the meter places on the circuit. If the meter’s impedance is very high, the loading is minimal and the reading stays close to the true voltage. If the impedance is lower, more current flows through the meter, which can alter the circuit voltage and distort the measurement. So the impedance indicates how much the voltmeter will load the circuit. It isn’t the voltage across the meter, nor the current through the entire circuit, nor the circuit’s total resistance.