You also want to ensure you have a CAT II meter or above. Typical ranges include 750VAC and 1000VDC. Often, you can find several “Red” ports that differentiate between Voltage (V) and Current (A, mA, or ♚).Īlso, note the maximum voltages (AC and DC) supported by your meter or tester. When measuring voltage, the red jack will plug into the hole labeled “VΩmA” or similar. The black-colored jack will always plug into the port labeled “COM” (common). The latter insert into the appropriate colored slots on your multimeter. Each has a probe on one end and a plastic-covered metal jack on the other. Your multimeter includes at least two test leads, one red and one black. More advanced NCVs tell you the type of voltage detected (low voltage, high voltage, etc) by separating the LEDs into voltage ranges. The latter only light up and/or beep when you get near a live circuit. Note that digital multimeters and voltage meters differ from non-contact voltage testers (NCVs). That’s beyond the scope of this article, but these features can further help with troubleshooting. If you want to measure current draw without breaking a circuit, you need a clamp meter and a solitary “hot” wire-like what you might find in a breaker panel.ĭepending upon which digital multimeter you have, additional features and options may exist for measuring temperature (with special probes). A multimeter only measures current by “breaking” the circuit. Measuring current lets you know things like how much power a particular circuit is drawing-all other things staying consistent. You measure Current (amps) in order to troubleshoot various electrical systems. Using a Multimeter to Measure Current (Amps) A beep means you have a “closed” circuit, so the part of the wire or cable you can’t see is somehow connected in a loop. Use continuity to troubleshoot potential breaks in a line. You may also see a “speaker” symbol or something that indicates you will hear a tone or beep. The symbol for continuity looks like an arrow pointing right into a plus sign (see above). Electricians can also use a multimeter to test ground resistance when sinking ground rods for electrical panels. You also measure resistance during many electronics troubleshooting steps on a circuit board. This is handy for continuity tests (though many multimeters have a dedicated mode for that which beeps). You set the multimeter dial to Ω to measure resistance. How to Use a Multimeter to Measure Resistance in Ohms and Continuity The LCD screen should give you an indicator by switching between the visible V~ and V- modes. When they do this, you typivally need to press a “Mode” button to switch between AC and DC voltage modes. You will also find DC current when measuring the voltage on the battery in your vehicle.Īuthor’s Note: Sometimes manufacturers combine both AC and DC Voltage onto a single dial setting or position. The reason is that most household electronic devices take the 120V AC wall voltage and immediately convert it to DC before powering the sensitive internal processors, screens, and other systems. You measure and troubleshoot batteries and portable electronics using DC current. The “V-” DC voltage setting lets you measure DC (direct current) voltage. The reason is that alternating current periodically reverses direction. AC voltage is denoted with a V followed by a squiggly line (~). AC voltage is the voltage found at any outlet or plug in your home that supplies power to devices like your refrigerator, computer, TV, etc. Use the”V~” AC voltage setting for measuring or testing AC (alternating current) voltage. This should help you get to the correct mode so you can use the multimeter properly. Let’s walk through each main dial setting so you understand what the symbols and designations mean. Walking Through Each of the Main Dial Settings The dial on the display (which looks like a VU meter) reacts with magnetic fields created by changes in the electrical current detected by the device.Įditor’s Note: When testing power tool batteries, a voltmeter shows you that 18V and 20V Max battery packs put out the exact same voltage. An analog multimeter measures voltage (volts), resistance (ohms), and current (amps). The difference between an analog multimeter and a digital multimeter comes down to the display and what they measure. In this article, let’s assume you want to use a multimeter. You can pick up a basic multimeter for less than $20, and they’re widely available. Every Pro uses a multimeter for troubleshooting, but even a homeowner benefits from the use of this tool at some point. How to Use a Multimeter for Testing Batteriesįirst things first, multimeters (voltmeters) typically work as analog devices.Understanding How to Use the Multimeter Dial Settings.
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