Cathodic Protection Tester Practice Exam

What type of instrument features a needle that rotates across a meter face?

1. Digital meter

2. Analog meter

3. Smart meter

4. Voltmeter

The correct answer is: Analog meter

The correct answer is an analog meter, as this type of instrument is characterized by its use of a needle that moves in response to electrical current or voltage levels, displaying the measurement on a graduated scale or meter face. This design allows users to visually interpret readings, making it easier to gauge fluctuations in values at a glance. Analog meters are often utilized in various applications where quick and intuitive reading of measurements is essential. The needle's movement across the scale provides immediate feedback on the parameter being measured, which can be particularly useful in cathodic protection testing. Digital meters, on the other hand, present readings in a numerical format, eliminating the rotating needle and requiring a different interpretation method. Smart meters incorporate advanced features like data logging and wireless communication, which can enhance monitoring but do not typically use a needle and face reading. Voltmeters are designed specifically for measuring electric potential difference (voltage) and can be either analog or digital, but they do not exclusively define the instrument type by the needle mechanism. Therefore, the defining characteristic of the needle movement across a meter face distinctly identifies the analog meter as the correct choice.