nRF9161 DK v0.9.1

Measuring average current with an ampere meter

The current drawn by the nRF9161 System in Package (SiP) can be measured using an ampere meter.

Before you start, make sure you have prepared the Development Kit (DK) as described in Preparing the DK for current measurements.
Complete the following steps to measure the average current drawn by the nRF9161 SiP:
  1. Set the average timing of the ampere meter to a long interval, such as 1 s or longer.
  2. Set the dynamic range of the ampere meter between 1 uA and 15 mA so that it is wide enough to provide accurate measurements.
  3. To connect the ampere meter in series with the nRF9161 DK, connect the ampere meter to the pins on connector P22.
    Figure 1. Current measurement with an ampere meter
    Measuring current on the nRF9160 using an ampere meter
    Note: Use a high-speed, high-dynamic-range ampere meter for the best and most reliable measurements. Switching the current range in the ampere meter can affect the power supply to the nRF9161 DK. High speed and bandwidth are required to detect rapid changes in the current consumption in the nRF9161 DK.
Parent topic: Current measurement