Answer to: DMM in mA mode causes ~0.6 V drop — normal burden voltage? How can I minimize it?

nathan — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:16:19 +0000

Yes, the 0.6 V drop you’re seeing is the meter’s burden voltage, which is the voltage lost across the DMM when it measures current. In mA mode, the meter places a small internal shunt resistor (and often a fuse or protection components) in series with your circuit to sense current, and this resistance causes a voltage drop equal to .

For example, a 0.6 V drop at 60 mA means the meter adds about 10 Ω in series, which can significantly affect low-voltage circuits by reducing the actual voltage reaching your load.

To minimize this, you can use an external low-value shunt resistor and measure the voltage across it with the DMM in voltage mode, then calculate current using $I = V / R$ .

Alternatively, use a dedicated low-burden current sense amplifier or sensor such as the INA219, a DC clamp probe that measures current without inserting resistance, or the meter’s 10 A input (which usually has much lower internal resistance) if the current is within safe limits.

These methods help keep the measurement accurate without disturbing the circuit’s operating voltage.

DMM in mA mode causes ~0.6 V drop — normal burden voltage? How can I minimize it?

JannikTechy — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 05:21:09 +0000

I’m measuring the current draw of a low-voltage load and noticed my handheld DMM, in mA mode, is dropping about 0.6 V across itself. Is that normal “burden voltage,” and what’s the best way to reduce it?

DMM in mA mode causes ~0.6 V drop — normal burden voltage? How can I minimize it? - Theoretical questions

Answer to: DMM in mA mode causes ~0.6 V drop — normal burden voltage? How can I minimize it?

DMM in mA mode causes ~0.6 V drop — normal burden voltage? How can I minimize it?