How should you connect an ammeter to check an electrical circuit?

To accurately measure the current flowing through an electrical circuit, an ammeter must be connected in series with the load. This is because an ammeter is designed to measure the flow of current directly. When placed in series, all the current that flows through the circuit must also flow through the ammeter, allowing it to provide an accurate reading.

When an ammeter is connected in parallel or across the load, it would create a short circuit condition, potentially damaging the ammeter and leading to incorrect readings. Connecting it across a voltage source would also result in a short, as the ammeter would bypass the load, which defeats the purpose of measuring the current. Using a shunt resistor is a method for measuring higher currents without having to break the circuit, yet this still involves a specific configuration where the ammeter and shunt work together in a circuit, maintaining the need for a series connection in the primary function.

Thus, for basic ammeter use, the proper method is to connect it in series to obtain an accurate current measurement within an electrical circuit.