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How To Use A Multimeter

A multi-meter is used to measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity in electrical circuits. It has a selection knob to choose the measurement type and ports to connect the probes. To measure voltage, current, or resistance, connect one probe to common and the other to the appropriate port, select the measurement type, and touch the probes to the circuit. Continuity detection uses a tone to indicate a connection between probes. Fuses inside can blow from too much current and must be replaced with the proper type.

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78 views4 pages

How To Use A Multimeter

A multi-meter is used to measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity in electrical circuits. It has a selection knob to choose the measurement type and ports to connect the probes. To measure voltage, current, or resistance, connect one probe to common and the other to the appropriate port, select the measurement type, and touch the probes to the circuit. Continuity detection uses a tone to indicate a connection between probes. Fuses inside can blow from too much current and must be replaced with the proper type.

Uploaded by

mario_1303
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Multi-Meter Guide

How to Use a Multimeter


A digital multi-meter is a very useful tool for checking electronics circuits and parts, and testing
batteries. A multi-meter is used to measure Voltage, Current, and Resistance. Another use is to
measure Continuity – or whether a conductor is actually conducting.

Quick Guide:

To measure voltage (The electric potential between 2 points):


1. Voltage can be measured on any component or object, whether or not it is in a circuit.
2. Plug the black probe into COM and the red probe into mAVΩ.
3. Set the multimeter to V and choose DC -- or AC ~
4. Use the meter’s 2 probes to get the voltage difference between any 2 points. Positive voltage readings
mean the red probe is at a higher voltage, negative readings mean the black probe is at the higher
voltage.

To measure current (the flow of electrons in a circuit):


1. Current can only be measured in a closed circuit. The meter must become part of the circuit at the point
where you want to measure current.
2. Plug the black probe into COM and the red probe into 10A (on left).
3. Set the multimeter to A and choose DC -- or AC ~
4. Open the circuit and close it by inserting the 2 meter probes. Current flowing in the direction from red
to black will read as positive, from black to red will read as negative.
5. If the voltage reading is very low, move the red probe to mAVΩ (right) and measure in mA.

To measure resistance (The opposite of conductivity; a measure of how easily current will flow through a
component or material):
1. Resistance can be measured on any component or object, but it cannot be measured in a circuit.
2. Plug the black probe into COM and the red probe into mAVΩ.
3. Set the multimeter to Ω.
4. Use the meter’s 2 probes to measure the resistance of a component or material.

To detect continuity (any electrical connection with minimal resistance – could be intended like a solder joint, or
unintended like a short circuit):
1. Continuity can be measured on any component or object, but it cannot be measured in a circuit.
2. Plug the black probe into COM and the red probe into mAVΩ.
3. Set the multimeter to
4. Touch the meter’s 2 probes to 2 materials. If there is a beep sound, the materials are electrically
connected. If the probes are not touching anything and the beep is continuous, the fuse in the meter is
blown.

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Multi-Meter Guide
Detailed Guide
Parts of a Multimeter:
• Display
• Selection Knob
• Ports

The display usually has four digits and the ability to display a
negative sign. It also has small text areas that indicate units.
The selection knob allows the user to set the multi-meter to
read different things such as milliamps (mA) of current,
voltage (V), and resistance (Ω).
Two probes are plugged into two of the ports on the front of the unit. COM stands for
common and is almost always connected to ground or (–) of a circuit. The black probe is
used for COM. The red probe is inserted into 1 of the other ports, depending on what is
being measured. Use the mAVΩ port on the right for Voltage (V), Resistance (Ω),
Continuity, and small Currents (up to 200 mA). Use the 10A port on the left to measure
large or unknown currents (A). Large currents in the right port will often blow the fuse,
which is only a problem if there aren’t any handy to replace it.

Measuring Voltage of a battery


Multi-meters are useful for checking for dead
batteries, a common source of problems in
electronics.
To measure the voltage on a battery: Plug the black
probe into COM and the red probe into mAVΩ. Set
the multi-meter to 2 V (or 20 V depending on the
battery being checked) in the DC (direct-current)
range. The DC voltage range has a V with a straight
line next to it. Connect the black probe to the
battery (-) and the red probe to (+). Read the
voltage on the display. A negative number means
the probes are probably reversed.
Checking Batteries: AAA, AA, C, and D batteries are nominally 1.5 V. Fresh batteries are
about 1.6 V, and they lose voltage as they get used. Batteries with less than 1.4 volts are
dead. 9 V batteries are made of six 1.5 Volt batteries in series, and a fresh 9V battery will
show over 9 volts. Less than 8 volts can be considered dead.
Measuring voltage on any other device is similar. Set the dial to greater than the expected
voltage, place the red and black probes on the device, and read off the voltage on the
display. Be sure to notice the units.

2
Multi-Meter Guide
Continuity

Use the Continuity Check function to checking if alligator clips,


wires, solder joints, or switches are making good electrical
connections when they should be. It also helps in finding short
circuits: when electrical contact is made where it is not wanted.

Continuity checkers test the resistance between two points. If


there is very low resistance (less than a few ohms), the two points
are connected electrically and a tone is emitted. If there is more
than a few ohms of resistance, then the circuit is open and no tone
is emitted.

Set the multi-meter to continuity mode. The icon varies, but


generally looks like a diode symbol with propagation waves
around it (like sound coming from a speaker). When the probes
are touched together the multi-meter emit a tone. This shows that
a very small amount of current is allowed to flow without
resistance (or at least a very, very small resistance) between the
probes. It is a good idea to check that the probes themselves show continuity before
checking circuit components and wiring.

Measuring Resistance
Resistors often have color codes on them. If you don’t
know what they mean use an online calculators or
smartphone apps to decode the colors. Multi-meters are
useful in measuring resistance very precisely.
Set the multi-meter to a resistor setting – something with
Ω. Hold the probes against the resistor legs and read the
display. Rotate the dial until it is within range of the
resistor. Note the units.

Measuring Current
Reading current is tricky because you have to measure
current in series. Where voltage is measured by poking at VCC and GND (in parallel), to
measure current you have to physically interrupt the flow of current and put the meter in
line. An easy way to do this is to remove the battery (+) wire and connect it to the red
probe. Connect the black probe to the place the (+) wire had gone before. It is best to move
the red probe to the left port that can handle 10 A before measuring current. If the reading
is very low, then move the red probe to the right port.

3
Multi-Meter Guide

Changing the Fuse


One of the most common mistakes with a multi-meter is to measure current on a battery
from (+) to (-). This will immediately short power to ground through the multi-meter, the
internal fuse will heat up and then burn out as more than 200 mA flows through it. It will
happen in a split second and without any real audible or physical indication that something
is wrong. However, the meter will not function as expected for future readings. To confirm
that the fuse is blown, do a continuity check with the probes. If it emits a tone before the
probes are touched together, then the fuse is blown. The meter will most likely be fine
when the fuse is replaced, as the purpose of the fuse is to protect the meter.

Remove the screws on the back of the multi-meter and locate the fuse(s) on the inside.
Here should be a spare fuse in the meter. (It’s a good idea to replace this if it used).

Lift gently up on the fuse and it will pop


out. Make sure to replace the correct
fuse with the correct type. Replace the
200 mA fuse with a 200 mA fuse. Do not
put a 10 A fuse where a 200 mA fuse
should go. Find the correct fuse.
The meter is ready for use.

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