AC, or alternating current, voltage is used to measure things you might find around the house, like wall sockets, microwaves, or pumps. Is this normal? Check the breaker of the branch circuit you are measuring voltage, is it on or off?When everything has been checked and everything is normal, maybe the Power Distribution Unit is switched off. This article has been viewed 369,540 times. ", "Showed me how to use a setting on the multimeter! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This article was co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman. The power coming from most household circuits is AC. Have an idea how high the voltage you are going to measure will be, so that you can set the range selector to the proper voltage range. The setting for testing voltage in an AC circuit is typically marked, To test voltage on a DC circuit, set the multimeter to. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Is this a good reading? Turn the dial to 10A for the best reading. Finally, check the display on the multimeter to see the voltage. Connect the black probe to the battery's ground or '-' and the red probe to power or '+'. access, a multimeter is very handy at measuring resistance. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/multimeters-tutorial.shtml#multimeteroverview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rGDx92McTY, http://ecmweb.com/basics/how-use-digital-multimeters, https://learn.adafruit.com/multimeters/overview, http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_1/5.html, http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/58120/How-to-Measure-DB-Level-Using-Digital-Multimeter#comment605421, http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/engineering-consulting/analog-multimeters, http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/multimeters-tutorial.shtml#qmultimeterwrong, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. However, I want a more accurate reading, so I’ll move the selection knob lower down to 20 volts. For example, if you measure the wall socket and the multimeter reads 100V, this is below the average of 120V, letting you know this wall socket's voltage is low. You can also refer to your user's guide for specific information about your multimeter settings. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A digital multimeter is an indispensable tool for testing, diagnosing, and troubleshooting electrical circuits, components, and devices. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Last Updated: May 29, 2020 This setting is to measure resistance. Measure the resistance in things like switches or a motor. No matter what you're testing, the black test lead will always plug into the COM terminal, and the red test lead will be the one to move around depending on what you're measuring. Where do I put the multimeter when I am measuring amp? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Plug the black lead into the COM slot and the red lead into the V slot. Last Updated: January 3, 2021 The meter will read one of three things,0.00, 1, or the actual resistor value. You can use a digital multimeter to measure both DC and AC voltage. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. How do I use a digital multimeter to check an outlet? Almost every voltmeter or multimeter uses a large dial to set the mode. How to Use a Multimeter to Test DC Voltage Measuring voltage is one of the most common uses for a multimeter in a conversion project and troubleshooting electrical problems in your campervan. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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