How to Use a Multimeter

Trying to figure out if yourelectrical outletis getting power? Grab a multimeter. A multimeter is a versatile tool used by electricians and homeowners to measure electrical voltage, current, and resistance. They are fairly simple, consisting of a display screen, a dial or buttons to select different measurement settings, and two probes used to make contact with the circuit being tested.

You can find basic multimeters for around $25. These entry-level models will provide you with the necessary functionality for testing outlets and other basic electrical measurements.

What Does a Multimeter Do?

A multimeter is a multipurpose electronic device that measures variouselectrical systemquantities such as voltage, current, and resistance.

Analog vs. Digital Multimeter

You’ll want a digital multimeter in most DIY electrical situations. Learning how to use and read a digital multimeter is much simpler than analog. Changing the functions on a digital multimeter is also easier. Digital multimeters have clear LCD readouts and do continuity testing. Some digital multimeters also feature auto-ranging and overload protection and other advantages analog multimeters lack.

Analog multimeters have multiple scales on the dial, a moving needle and many manual settings on the function switch. It’s tricky spotting themultimeter symbols and scale on the dial. Plus, you sometimes have to multiply the reading by 10 or 100 to get your final value.

For easier, hands-free viewing, choose a multimeter with a stand to prop it up or hang it on a wall. If a multimeter doesn’t come equipped with either jumper wires or alligator clips, buy them.

Safety Considerations

When I got my first multimeter, I was very excited to start using it. I took a quick glance at the owner’s manual and then proceeded to stick the multimeter’s probes into the closest appliances, lightswitches and outletsto see what the tester could do.

I fried that multimeter. I was more studious and careful with the next. Even now, there are still some repairs I let the electricians and repair technicians handlewiththeirmultimeters.

In order to avoid possible injury to yourself and damage to your multimeter, disconnect power to appliances and turn off circuits before conducting a resistance test. For more information about your tool, please refer to the manual for your specific multimeter model.

How to set up a multimeter to test an outlet

Attach the black and red probes to the multimeter. There are usually three color-coded ports on the tool.

• Attach the black probe to the black “COM” port.
• Attach the red probe to the red port that usually has a variety of characters including a V and/or an . Another red port on multimeters, usually labeled “10A”, is reserved for large currents over 200mA.
• Turn on the multimeter by turning to the setting that allows it to read an outlet, Volts AC. The AC voltage symbol is a “V” with a “” over or next to the V.
• Finally, select the proper range under AC voltage. For a common 120v household receptacle, I set it to 200v. Selecting the proper range is very important and refers to setting the function switch on your multimeter to a voltage or amperage value that’s higher than the top value you anticipate testing.

If you need help finding or are unsure of which setting this is on your multimeter, refer to the manual for your model.

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