What is a key characteristic of an analog meter?

A key characteristic of an analog meter is that it uses a scale and a pointer to indicate measurements. This type of meter typically features a needle that moves along a calibrated scale in response to the electrical quantity being measured, such as voltage, current, or resistance. This design allows for a continuous range of values to be displayed without the discrete steps associated with digital meters.

The advantage of analog meters includes the ability to easily observe trends and fluctuations in the measured values due to their smooth graduated scales. Additionally, analog meters are often used in situations where quick visual reference or response to changing conditions is needed.

In contrast, digital readouts are a feature of digital meters, which display measurements in numerical form rather than through a moving pointer. The operation based on digital signals pertains to digital measurement devices, not analog ones. While analog meters can be used for a variety of measurements, they are not specifically optimized for high-frequency measurements, which are often better handled by digital devices designed for such applications.