Final answer:
The Fluke 8025-series multimeter can be used as both a voltmeter and an ammeter. Using it in the wrong mode can result in inaccurate readings or potentially damage the circuit or the multimeter itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fluke 8025-series multimeter operates in two modes: as a voltmeter for measuring voltage, and as an ammeter for measuring current. When measuring current in a circuit, if the multimeter is left in voltmeter mode, it will likely not affect the circuit significantly because a voltmeter is designed to have high resistance to minimize its influence on the circuit it is measuring. However, if one is measuring voltage and the meter is accidentally set to ammeter mode, this can cause problems, as ammeters are designed to have very low resistance and could create a short circuit when connected across a voltage source, potentially damaging the meter or the circuit.
Ammeters and voltmeters are based on a combination of a resistor and a galvanometer. The ammeter mode includes settings for different full-scale readings, such as 20.0 A or 300 mA, which allows for measurements of current within a specific range. Similarly, voltmeter mode can be set for a full-scale reading of up to 300 V or as low as 0.300 V depending on the sensitivity required for the measurement.