How to Measure Resistance Using Four-Wire Measurement
Removing the effects of cable resistance
Making accurate low-resistance measurements requires the Kelvin measurement method, commonly known as the four-wire measurement method. The four-wire method offers a more accurate way to measure small resistance. This method uses a pair of terminals that source current across the device under test (DUT). It also has another pair of terminals that independently sense or measure the voltage across the DUT, meaning the resistance across the DUT comes from the known current source and the measured voltage.
Test engineers require a digital multimeter (DMM) equipped with four-wire measurement capabilities and two sets of test leads for the test. The four-wire measurement method eliminates the errors from test leads and contact points. Some applications require the four-wire method, such as measuring high-precision components, testing with long test leads, measuring temperature using precision resistance-based temperature detectors, and sourcing accurate power to a load via long lead cables.
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3458A Digital Multimeter, 8.5 Digit
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BV0001B PathWave BenchVue Digital Multimeter App
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11059A Kelvin Probe Set
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