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Meter FS Ranges
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It depends on the measurement being done and certainly the may be a change over time as to what is best. Each era has different needs.
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A couple examples:
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1. Early on operational amplifiers, Op Amps, were mostly dual rail +/-15V. Eventually low voltage dual and single supply options were introduced: +15 V, +/- 5 V, 3 V etc
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2. Tube radios often need ranges to measure filament voltage, 6 V/ 12V. Plate voltages were 80 V to 200 V as I recall. Ham transmitter voltages could be higher.
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3. System voltage levels in PCs, instrumentation, especially portable, have been on a downward trend as integrated circuit technology has used finer lithography and thus lower voltage capability. PC CPUs operate at lower voltages and so do ASICs.
I imagine the solar power industry and EV batter markets have different needs than 50 years ago too.
Digital DVMs and DPMs originally were based on dual slope integrating ADCs. Resolutions were: 3 1/2 ( 1/2000) digits; 3 3/4 digits? (1/4000);? 4 1/2 (1/2000) digits, etc.?
Later the DVM/DPM were made with auto-ranging capability so the user just had to connect the test leads,? and the ADC selectred the correct tap on the input divider network to take a measurement from. This made measurements "hands free". It has its pros and cons.
There many be no universal answer. Just the one that meets the objectives of the current in terms of accuracy, cost and user needs.?
A lot of hobbyist arduino and RasPi work is done with 5V, 3/3.3V supplies and of course USB. Again anothjer set of needs.
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Dave, AA6RE
