The D’Arsonval movement is fundamentally sensitive to current flow, but in conjunction with an appropriate known fixed resistance can be calibrated in terms of voltage.
This basic circuit is employed in the construction of analog voltage dials, volt ohmmeters (VOM).
The measurement of ac voltage can be accomplished through rectification of the ac signal or through use of an electromagnet, either in an electrodynamometer, or with a movable iron vane. These instruments are basically sensitive to the rms value of a simple periodic ac current and can be calibrated in terms of voltage; shunt resistors can be used to establish the appropriate scale.