What is the basic type of meter movement that can measure current?

The basic type of meter movement that can measure current is electromagnetic. This is because electromagnetic meters operate based on the interaction between magnetic fields and electric current. When current flows through a conductor within a magnetic field, it creates a force that moves a needle across a calibrated dial, allowing for the measurement of current.

Electromagnetic meter movements are commonly found in many types of electrical meters, including ammeters, which are specifically designed to measure current. As current flows through a coil, it generates a magnetic field that interacts with a permanent magnet, causing the coil to rotate and the needle to move, indicating the current level.

Other types of meter movement, such as inductive or thermal, have different principles of operation. Inductive meters relate more to voltage measurement and are based on electromagnetic induction. Thermal meters rely on the heat produced by the current flowing through a conductor to measure the amount of current but are not the primary or most efficient type for basic current measurement. Thus, the electromagnetic movement is the most effective and widely used for measuring electrical current directly.