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What is a Panel Meter?

Dakota Davis
Dakota Davis

A panel meter is an instrument that receives information from an input signal and then measures and displays that information in a digital or analog format. Usually mounted inside an instrument panel, it often indicates temperature, but may also reflect speed, pressure, current, and many other variables. The most common type of panel meter accepts a single input for display, although multiple channel devices are also available. Units are also available with large displays for visibility or in benchtop cases for portability. While analog panel meters used to be common, they have been replaced in most circumstances by the more accurate and functional digital meter.

An analog panel meter uses a moving needle and a dial to display information, and works on either the taut band or the jewel and pivot method. A taut band device uses a needle suspended between two ribbons of metal. Able to withstand high-shock, it generally measures direct current (DC). The less accurate pivot and jewel unit has a coil and pointer supported by polished steel, which fits into two jewel bearings. Better at withstanding vibration, it typically measures alternating current (AC).

Scientist with beakers
Scientist with beakers

An analog panel meter is more economical than its digital counterpart, but it's less accurate. Non-linear movement can produce errors, and the small meter screen can be difficult to interpret. It typically displays one value, however, so it's considered quicker to read. Analog meters are useful when relative change is more important than absolute accuracy.

A digital panel meter is used to measure and display all types of processes and electrical variables, from voltage monitoring to current, flow, speed, and more. It has a bright LED display that presents information in an alphanumerical format with little or no ambiguity. Many digital panel meters can accept multiple inputs and have adjustable or bar graph displays that allow users to easily switch between these inputs. Displays may also have totalizing, recording, conditioning, or other functional capabilities.

In addition to being significantly more accurate, a digital panel meter generally has more available features than an analog meter. It can be selected with alarm options, along with set point controls that allow users to establish control limits, as well as on/off controls that can activate or deactivate a process unit. Many digital panel meters can be connected to a computer to transfer data, and some have Ethernet capabilities that allow them to connect to a LAN or the internet.

Discussion Comments

matthewc23

I think from the standpoint of someone doing scientific research, being able to have a digital panel meter display would be much more effective. If you have several people taking measurements on something at different times, you might have variation in the numbers depending on how the person interprets the analog display.

Emilski

@TreeMan - I don't see any reason why the gauges in a car's instrument panel wouldn't count as panel meters. They all seem to fit the same criteria. I think the electrical example is just an easy thing to demonstrate since most people are probably able to more easily image how the system would work.

I think the same is true for the digital screens, too. I've used tools with LED and LCD screens. I think that would really depend on the device. LED panel meters would need a little bit more power to display compared to an LCD that can run on very little power.

TreeMan

What other devices might be equipped with a panel meter? The article mentions a lot about electrical readings. Is this the main place you would see them? I was initially thinking about something like the speedometer and other gauges that are in a car. Would these count as panel meters? If you have an analog speedometer, does it use the taut band or jewel and pivot method to make a measurement?

I was wondering about the screens on digital panels, too. The article says LED panel meters are common, but couldn't you have an LCD panel meter readout? I know a lot of the digital tools I've used in the past use LCD instead of LED.

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      Scientist with beakers