Electronic – Can a modern multimeter be classified as a discrete component tester

When set for voltage measurements a multimeter will normally have an impedance measured in megaohms. Although that impedance combined with capacitance may affect the operation of some circuits I can't think of many practical situations where damage is likely to occur. When set for current measurement it's a different story because the shunt resistor may effectively present a short-circuit.

By far the most likely cause of damage (which I've done myself on the odd occasion) are the probes slipping and shorting something out. Apart from being careful in general putting some heatshrink over most of the probe to leave only the tips exposed may help. Also consider getting a set of appropriate test clips for what you're working on so they are physically secure.

Also consider personal safety if you're working at high voltages and make sure any probes you use have an appropriate voltage rating and reduce the chance of your hands slipping onto dangerous voltages.

While I've never heard of this circuit before, I watched the video @user23711 linked. I think I can give you a decent explanation.

Essentially, you have an AC source driving your device with a resistor in series acting as a current limiter. The voltage measurement is simple. You are literally just measuring the voltage across the device under test, just like any other voltage measurement with an oscilloscope or multimeter.

As for current, you are measuring the voltage across the resistor and not the device under test (DUT) because voltage is (sort of) proportional to current in a resistor. Since the resistor is in series with the DUT, the current is the same as that of the DUT. However, the voltage across the resistor will be proportional to the current while the voltage of the DUT has an unknown relationship to current. That is, after all, the purpose of this circuit.

Now, if you had a current probe for your scope, you wouldn't need this test setup. Also, be mindful that the V/I curve for a resistor is not perfectly linear. If you are looking for high accuracy this might not be the way to go.

Finally, the reason for the AC source is to frequently enough cycle the voltage of the DUT. Then, when using XY mode on the scope, the IV curve of the DUT can be seen. But really, you could use any source you want (that won't break the DUT), and view the voltage and current curves with respect to time.