Is a voltmeter connected in series or parallel in a circuit?

A voltmeter is specifically designed to measure the potential difference, or voltage, across two points in a circuit. To perform this measurement accurately without altering the circuit's behavior, it must be connected in parallel with the component or section of the circuit being measured.

When connected in parallel, the voltmeter allows for the same potential difference to be applied across its terminals as exists across the component. This connection ensures that the voltmeter does not draw significant current, thereby not affecting the circuit operation or the voltage measurement itself.

In contrast, if a voltmeter were connected in series, it would introduce additional resistance into the circuit, potentially altering the current flow and affecting the voltage reading. This is why voltmeters are exclusively placed in parallel when measuring voltage in a circuit.