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!

Multiple Choice

The instrument used to measure current is called a:

Measuring electrical current requires a device that reads how much charge is moving through a conductor per second. That device is an ammeter. It is designed to have very low resistance and is placed in series with the circuit so all the current flows through it, giving a reading in amperes. In contrast, a voltmeter is connected in parallel and has high internal resistance to avoid drawing current, and it measures voltage. An ohmmeter determines resistance by applying a known current or voltage and reading the response. A wattmeter measures power by combining voltage and current, often using additional circuitry to handle both quantities. So, for measuring current specifically, the ammeter is the instrument you’d use.

Measuring electrical current requires a device that reads how much charge is moving through a conductor per second. That device is an ammeter. It is designed to have very low resistance and is placed in series with the circuit so all the current flows through it, giving a reading in amperes.

In contrast, a voltmeter is connected in parallel and has high internal resistance to avoid drawing current, and it measures voltage. An ohmmeter determines resistance by applying a known current or voltage and reading the response. A wattmeter measures power by combining voltage and current, often using additional circuitry to handle both quantities.

So, for measuring current specifically, the ammeter is the instrument you’d use.