Electrical measuring instruments can be classified in several ways, including by the quantity being measured, operating principle, or type of output. Common classifications include absolute versus secondary instruments, indicating versus recording or integrating instruments, and moving iron, moving coil, hot wire, or induction types.
Potentiometers are used to measure voltage by balancing an unknown voltage against a known voltage gradient along a uniform resistance wire. Instrument transformers like current and potential transformers are used to measure high voltages and currents safely by transforming values down to levels that can be read by standard meters. They allow insulation of the measurement circuit from the high voltages and currents in the main circuit.