A digital panel meter is mainly used to measure and display electrical parameters like voltage, current, frequency, or temperature in a digital format. It’s commonly installed in control panels, power distribution boards, and industrial automation systems. These meters are designed for accurate monitoring of electrical signals, helping engineers ensure that machines and equipment operate within safe and efficient limits. They are essential tools in laboratories, generator panels, and testing benches where real-time readings are needed. However, they are not used in every type of electrical or electronic application.
The function of a digital panel meter is to measure and display — not to control or switch electrical circuits. So, applications like controlling motor speed, switching relays, or performing automation tasks are not the applications of a digital panel meter. Those functions are handled by devices such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), temperature controllers, or motor drives. A digital panel meter cannot directly regulate voltage, power flow, or mechanical output. Its main job is to show precise readings for operators and maintenance teams. For example, in a machine panel, the meter will show the current and voltage values, but the control action (like turning the motor ON/OFF) happens through other components.
In short, digital panel meters are used for monitoring and indication, not for control or switching applications. Brands like Selec and Autonics design reliable digital panel meters for industrial environments, but their purpose is always measurement, not automation control. So, if someone asks which is not an application of a digital panel meter, the answer is control or switching of electrical circuits, because it functions purely as an indicator device, not a controller.