23
Apr
This will cause a short circuit across the battery terminals and a very high current will flow through your. You should check if it is working properly before you work on a high-energy live circuit.
There is no harm if this happen it simply means the range knob needs to be adjusted.
What should you not do with a multimeter. One of the most potentially dangerous misuses would be measuring voltage while the models test probes are in the current terminals which is something most individuals do by accident. Even though the DMMs fuse offers protection one. Do not use on 110 or 230 VAC mains before considering material in main section below.
Make every effort to not overload the mA ranges past fuse capability. Low current range 500 mA and less will usually be fused and share a common fuse. If overloaded by say 1A this fuse will go open circuit essentially instantaneously.
This can be very annoying tm. To avoid electric shock follow the below tips. Make use of your personal protective materials.
When working near or on energized or exposed circuit do not work alone. Avoid operating the meter in damp or humid environments. Watch for the audio or visual warnings in your multimeter display unit.
While performing tests with your multimeter rubber insulating gloves should always be worn but safety is about layers of protection and one of those layers is the probes themselves. The insulation on the probes should be checked for any signs of deterioration or cracks to ensure you have full protection from a shock. You should also check that the meter is in good condition and working.
What shouldnt I do with my multimeter. Do not use a multimeter to test electricity from the wall outlets in your home. Electricity from wall outlets is very dangerous and can be fatal.
Do not connect the probes directly to a battery or other power supply when you have a current measurement setting selected. This will cause a short circuit across the battery terminals and a very high current will flow through your. A multimeter is perfect for battery checks.
For the alternator test go right to the battery. In multiple battery installations make sure battery switches are set for the battery you are checking. Its a good idea to discharge the battery a bit before testing by running some accessories for 15 to 30 minutes.
Do not assume the multimeter is in a good working condition. You should check if it is working properly before you work on a high-energy live circuit. Make sure that if youre measuring anything with a current higher than 200mA you plug the red probe into the 10A port rather than the 200mA port.
Otherwise you could blow the fuse thats inside of the multimeter. Furthermore measuring anything over 10 amps could blow a fuse or destroy the multimeter as well. Bear in mind that all multimeters take readings over some time and then give you the average so you can expect the reading to fluctuate.
In general cheaper meters tend to average more harshly and respond more slowly so keep that in mind when you note the readings. Set the Multimeter knob to Ohm unit of Resistance or the Greek letter omega as shown in Figure 1. Connect the multimeter leads to the capacitor terminals again ensuring that the red one is on the positive terminal and the black one is on the negative terminal.
The first resistance reading that appears on the display should be noted. This is an important element to check with a multimeter because poor continuity can cause fires shocks or damage to your electrical devices. Always turn off unplug or flip the breaker on the signal that youre testing to prevent shocks or fires.
If a battery is not putting up with the desired performance it is supposed to deliver it can be tested with a multimeter. If the multimeter reads less than the potential the battery initially had eg. A 12V battery reads 10V or less than that then the battery can be termed as damaged.
There should be an open circuit when the cord is analyzed in this fashion. There should be no contact between the wire that connects the ground. If the multimeter reads 1 or displays OL its overloaded.
You will need to try a higher mode such as 200kΩ mode or 2MΩ megaohm mode. There is no harm if this happen it simply means the range knob needs to be adjusted. If the multimeter reads 000 or nearly zero then you need to.
Always examine your multimeter as well as all its components before testing the circuit breaker. In case you detect any physical damage loose connection or any other issue you shouldnt make use of the multimeter. Instead you should consider buying another one or borrowing one.
Furthermore you can check with the multimeters manufacturer whether they have any proposal before using it. If the multimeter doesnt turn on or the display is dim you may have a weak or dead battery. Simply replace the battery and you should be good to go.
If your multimeter powers up but you arent getting accurate measurements you may have faulty test leads. Set your multimeter to read resistance and touch the test probe leads together. Obviously you do not have to follow this exactly but to get the best out of your multimeter it is advisable.
Things to consider as well is whether the multimeter is analog or digital. If you do not receive a manual or your manual does not include information on calibration you can always contact the manufacturer or check their website. Less costly multimeters might not be equipped with an audible tone often a beep to confirm continuity of a wire.
But this is a great feature to have when youre in cramped quarters such as lying under a dash trying to track down a broken wire in a harness. You often cant do the job and look at the meter at the same time. You should be able to see that your multimeter has red and black probes.
Touch the black probe to the chassis of the circuit or the electrical ground. The red probe should touch the parts that you suspect have a problem. Keep in mind that the tips of the probe must touch the metal components of the circuit to get an accurate reading.
After you do this remove the fuse by gently pulling it out of its slot. Turn on your multi-meter and set the selector to OHMS which is the setting that measures resistance. Now put the positive and negative leads together and look at the reading being shown.
The number shown should be close to the one you get when testing the fuse.