{"id":180,"date":"2023-07-30T13:46:48","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T17:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=180"},"modified":"2023-11-03T12:40:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T16:40:42","slug":"multimeter","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/chapter\/multimeter\/","title":{"raw":"Reading a Multimeter","rendered":"Reading a Multimeter"},"content":{"raw":"A multimeter is an electrical tool used to measure electricity.\r\n<h2>Functions of a Multimeter<img class=\" wp-image-629 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/Measuring-Tools.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"171\" height=\"91\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>On\/Off Switch<\/strong>: Some multimeters have an on\/off button or switch. If yours does, turn it off when you\u2019re done testing. Other models have an auto-off feature to save battery life.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Display:<\/strong> This can be digital or analog. A digital multimeter shows a number when you measure. An analog display has a meter and an indicator pointing to a number.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Meter Pointer (analog only)<\/strong>: A straight line, often red, moves to show the electricity property you selected.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Selector Knob or Button<\/strong>: Turn this knob or press the button to select your unit of measure. The choices on the display match the choices on the knob.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Resistance:<\/strong> This is measured in ohms.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>On analog multimeters, there\u2019s a scale on the display labeled as ohms, resistance or the ohm symbol (\u03a9).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>On digital ones, look for similar tags next to a number.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Scales:<\/strong> On an analog multimeter, you\u2019ll have different types of scales.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>DC\/AC Voltage Scale: These are labeled \u201cAC\u201d or \u201cDC\u201d and have a V for \u201cvoltage.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>DC\/AC Current Scale: These also say \u201cAC\u201d or \u201cDC,\u201d but there isn\u2019t a V.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Selector knob labels<\/strong>: On an analog multimeter, you choose the unit that you\u2019re testing. A wavy line indicates AC. A straight line or dash shows DC.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Jacks or Ports<\/strong>: These holes look like headphone jacks or auxiliary jacks. Most have three ports, but some meters have four. Here are some types of ports you may see:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Common Port: This is the grounding or neutral port. The port is black. All multimeters have this.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>V Omega m-A: This red port is used for testing most measurements. Use it to measure volts, resistance and small-amp currents. The tiny currents are measured in milliamps.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>10-A: This red port is used less frequently. It\u2019s for handling large currents up to 10 amps.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>300mA: This red port measures up to 300 milliamps.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Probes:<\/strong> Also called leads, a multimeter has two probes that plug into the ports.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The black probe always plugs into the common port. It doesn\u2019t carry live electricity and is neutral.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The red probe plugs into the port for the unit or property you\u2019re measuring.\u00a0It tests voltage, resistance or frequency. It\u2019s the positive or hot wire.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nYour multimeter likely came with probes with pointy metal ends. You can get alligator clips that\u2019ll clamp onto your surface if you\u2019d prefer. It looks like someone split the probe in half and gave it teeth. Alligator clips keep both hands free to adjust the multimeter.\r\n<h3>Check the multimeter<\/h3>\r\nBefore you begin, make sure all parts of your multimeter look sound. This may seem unnecessary, but it\u2019s an important step when using an electrical tester. Checking your equipment helps protect you from mishaps that can result in electrical shock.\r\n\r\nAssure that the area you\u2019re testing is dry. Check for cracks on the multimeter and for any fraying or nicks in the wires. Don\u2019t test if your equipment is damaged. If you\u2019d like to feel even safer when testing, wear rubber gloves and shoes with rubber soles.\r\n\r\nNow that you\u2019ve ruled out obvious damage, it\u2019s important to check that your probes are working internally. Some people call this \u201cohming-out\u201d the leads:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Set your multimeter to the ohm meter on the selector knob.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Plug the black probe into the common port.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Insert the red probe into the jack marked for ohms.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Gently tap the red and black tips together. Avoid touching the metal parts with your fingers while you do that.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Your reading should be 0.5 ohms or less.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If your reading is higher than that, replace the probes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Alternating Current - AC<\/h2>\r\nMeasuring AC voltage is the most common usage of a multimeter. You can check the plug on an appliance or outlet to help isolate an electrical problem.\r\n\r\nTip: If your multimeter has an automatic function, change it manually to the correct AC mode. You\u2019ll get more accurate results on a digital multimeter.\r\n\r\nFollow these steps to check an electrical plug. If you\u2019re testing another electric device, the concept is the same:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Turn off all power to the plug. This includes circuits and the plug itself, if applicable.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Set the mode on your multimeter to AC voltage. Start at the top of the range and adjust down.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Make sure your multimeter is set higher than the voltage number printed on the cord. For small two-prong appliances, that\u2019s usually 120 volts. Three-prong appliances will have a higher voltage.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Connect the black probe to the common jack on the multimeter.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Plug the red probe into the jack labeled as AC voltage or ohms\/omega. It may also be labeled V\u03a9mA, V\u03a9 or V (for voltage).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Place the end of the black probe into the neutral slot. On a polarized plug, it\u2019s the wider prong.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Put the red probe into the hot slot on the plug.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Check your reading. A small hand mixer might be 120 volts, but a coffee grinder could be 300 volts.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>When you\u2019re done, remove the red probe, then the black from the item you\u2019re testing. Unplug in that same order.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong>Safety Tip<\/strong>: If you must test an AC main, use a multimeter rated Category II or higher. However, it\u2019s recommended that you call a professional.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-742\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"715\" height=\"320\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Direct Current - DC<\/h2>\r\nUse a multimeter to check DC voltage. The concept is the same wherever you measure DC voltage. Check a power bank with a similar procedure as a battery.\r\n\r\nFollow these steps to test the charge on a battery:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Disconnect the battery from any power tools or chargers. Car batteries can be tested in place after the headlights have been on for two minutes, then turned off.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Set your multimeter to measure DC voltage. Use the selector knob or button to choose the expected measurement. For example, if you\u2019re expecting 9 volts from your battery, set it to 9 or 10. In the U.S., it\u2019s usually 30 volts or less. You can also start at the top of the range and work your way down.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Insert the black probe in the common jack.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Plug the red plug into the jack labeled for DC voltage, V\u03a9 or V\u2013.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Touch the black plug to the negative side of the battery.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Touch the red probe to the positive terminal.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Write down your reading.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Disconnect the red probe, then the black one.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Tip:<\/strong> If your digital multimeter reading is negative, switch the black and red probes for a positive reading. It should be the same number, but without a minus symbol. Don\u2019t mix up the positive and negative sides with an analog multimeter. It may damage the tool.\r\n<h2>Resistance<\/h2>\r\nMeasuring resistance is useful for DIYers who repair electrical components. Resistors need to carry the correct amount of power to function.\r\n\r\nHere\u2019s how you can test resistors for a repair project:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Completely disconnect the component that you\u2019re testing. Remove it from all live circuitry, including plugs and batteries. You want zero current flowing.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Set your multimeter to the ohm meter function. If your resistor is labeled with a number, set it to that.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Plug your multimeter probes into the jacks labeled common and V\u03a9 (DC voltage). Use the black plug for common and the red plug for DC voltage.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If you\u2019re not sure of your range, start measuring around 200-ohms or higher. Some models will show a \u201c1\u201d reading. This means the resistor has a higher capacity than your current setting.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Touch the probes to either side of the item you\u2019re testing. Positive and negative doesn\u2019t matter here.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Move down the ohm range on your multimeter gradually. When you\u2019re in range, the reading will make sense. The \u201c1\u201d or \u201cOL\u201d on a digital multimeter will change to a number.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If you\u2019re not getting a proper reading, turn down the multimeter range. A high setting won\u2019t pick up low ohms.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you\u2019re testing multiple resistors, try using alligator clip probes. They clip on to make measuring easier.","rendered":"<p>A multimeter is an electrical tool used to measure electricity.<\/p>\n<h2>Functions of a Multimeter<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-629 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/Measuring-Tools.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"171\" height=\"91\" \/><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>On\/Off Switch<\/strong>: Some multimeters have an on\/off button or switch. If yours does, turn it off when you\u2019re done testing. Other models have an auto-off feature to save battery life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Display:<\/strong> This can be digital or analog. A digital multimeter shows a number when you measure. An analog display has a meter and an indicator pointing to a number.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Meter Pointer (analog only)<\/strong>: A straight line, often red, moves to show the electricity property you selected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Selector Knob or Button<\/strong>: Turn this knob or press the button to select your unit of measure. The choices on the display match the choices on the knob.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resistance:<\/strong> This is measured in ohms.\n<ul>\n<li>On analog multimeters, there\u2019s a scale on the display labeled as ohms, resistance or the ohm symbol (\u03a9).<\/li>\n<li>On digital ones, look for similar tags next to a number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scales:<\/strong> On an analog multimeter, you\u2019ll have different types of scales.\n<ul>\n<li>DC\/AC Voltage Scale: These are labeled \u201cAC\u201d or \u201cDC\u201d and have a V for \u201cvoltage.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>DC\/AC Current Scale: These also say \u201cAC\u201d or \u201cDC,\u201d but there isn\u2019t a V.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Selector knob labels<\/strong>: On an analog multimeter, you choose the unit that you\u2019re testing. A wavy line indicates AC. A straight line or dash shows DC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jacks or Ports<\/strong>: These holes look like headphone jacks or auxiliary jacks. Most have three ports, but some meters have four. Here are some types of ports you may see:\n<ul>\n<li>Common Port: This is the grounding or neutral port. The port is black. All multimeters have this.<\/li>\n<li>V Omega m-A: This red port is used for testing most measurements. Use it to measure volts, resistance and small-amp currents. The tiny currents are measured in milliamps.<\/li>\n<li>10-A: This red port is used less frequently. It\u2019s for handling large currents up to 10 amps.<\/li>\n<li>300mA: This red port measures up to 300 milliamps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Probes:<\/strong> Also called leads, a multimeter has two probes that plug into the ports.\n<ul>\n<li>The black probe always plugs into the common port. It doesn\u2019t carry live electricity and is neutral.<\/li>\n<li>The red probe plugs into the port for the unit or property you\u2019re measuring.\u00a0It tests voltage, resistance or frequency. It\u2019s the positive or hot wire.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your multimeter likely came with probes with pointy metal ends. You can get alligator clips that\u2019ll clamp onto your surface if you\u2019d prefer. It looks like someone split the probe in half and gave it teeth. Alligator clips keep both hands free to adjust the multimeter.<\/p>\n<h3>Check the multimeter<\/h3>\n<p>Before you begin, make sure all parts of your multimeter look sound. This may seem unnecessary, but it\u2019s an important step when using an electrical tester. Checking your equipment helps protect you from mishaps that can result in electrical shock.<\/p>\n<p>Assure that the area you\u2019re testing is dry. Check for cracks on the multimeter and for any fraying or nicks in the wires. Don\u2019t test if your equipment is damaged. If you\u2019d like to feel even safer when testing, wear rubber gloves and shoes with rubber soles.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve ruled out obvious damage, it\u2019s important to check that your probes are working internally. Some people call this \u201cohming-out\u201d the leads:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set your multimeter to the ohm meter on the selector knob.<\/li>\n<li>Plug the black probe into the common port.<\/li>\n<li>Insert the red probe into the jack marked for ohms.<\/li>\n<li>Gently tap the red and black tips together. Avoid touching the metal parts with your fingers while you do that.<\/li>\n<li>Your reading should be 0.5 ohms or less.<\/li>\n<li>If your reading is higher than that, replace the probes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Alternating Current &#8211; AC<\/h2>\n<p>Measuring AC voltage is the most common usage of a multimeter. You can check the plug on an appliance or outlet to help isolate an electrical problem.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: If your multimeter has an automatic function, change it manually to the correct AC mode. You\u2019ll get more accurate results on a digital multimeter.<\/p>\n<p>Follow these steps to check an electrical plug. If you\u2019re testing another electric device, the concept is the same:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Turn off all power to the plug. This includes circuits and the plug itself, if applicable.<\/li>\n<li>Set the mode on your multimeter to AC voltage. Start at the top of the range and adjust down.<\/li>\n<li>Make sure your multimeter is set higher than the voltage number printed on the cord. For small two-prong appliances, that\u2019s usually 120 volts. Three-prong appliances will have a higher voltage.<\/li>\n<li>Connect the black probe to the common jack on the multimeter.<\/li>\n<li>Plug the red probe into the jack labeled as AC voltage or ohms\/omega. It may also be labeled V\u03a9mA, V\u03a9 or V (for voltage).<\/li>\n<li>Place the end of the black probe into the neutral slot. On a polarized plug, it\u2019s the wider prong.<\/li>\n<li>Put the red probe into the hot slot on the plug.<\/li>\n<li>Check your reading. A small hand mixer might be 120 volts, but a coffee grinder could be 300 volts.<\/li>\n<li>When you\u2019re done, remove the red probe, then the black from the item you\u2019re testing. Unplug in that same order.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Safety Tip<\/strong>: If you must test an AC main, use a multimeter rated Category II or higher. However, it\u2019s recommended that you call a professional.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-742\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"715\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1.png 715w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1-65x29.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1-225x101.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2022\/2023\/07\/ElecJoke-1-350x157.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 715px) 100vw, 715px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Direct Current &#8211; DC<\/h2>\n<p>Use a multimeter to check DC voltage. The concept is the same wherever you measure DC voltage. Check a power bank with a similar procedure as a battery.<\/p>\n<p>Follow these steps to test the charge on a battery:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Disconnect the battery from any power tools or chargers. Car batteries can be tested in place after the headlights have been on for two minutes, then turned off.<\/li>\n<li>Set your multimeter to measure DC voltage. Use the selector knob or button to choose the expected measurement. For example, if you\u2019re expecting 9 volts from your battery, set it to 9 or 10. In the U.S., it\u2019s usually 30 volts or less. You can also start at the top of the range and work your way down.<\/li>\n<li>Insert the black probe in the common jack.<\/li>\n<li>Plug the red plug into the jack labeled for DC voltage, V\u03a9 or V\u2013.<\/li>\n<li>Touch the black plug to the negative side of the battery.<\/li>\n<li>Touch the red probe to the positive terminal.<\/li>\n<li>Write down your reading.<\/li>\n<li>Disconnect the red probe, then the black one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> If your digital multimeter reading is negative, switch the black and red probes for a positive reading. It should be the same number, but without a minus symbol. Don\u2019t mix up the positive and negative sides with an analog multimeter. It may damage the tool.<\/p>\n<h2>Resistance<\/h2>\n<p>Measuring resistance is useful for DIYers who repair electrical components. Resistors need to carry the correct amount of power to function.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how you can test resistors for a repair project:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Completely disconnect the component that you\u2019re testing. Remove it from all live circuitry, including plugs and batteries. You want zero current flowing.<\/li>\n<li>Set your multimeter to the ohm meter function. If your resistor is labeled with a number, set it to that.<\/li>\n<li>Plug your multimeter probes into the jacks labeled common and V\u03a9 (DC voltage). Use the black plug for common and the red plug for DC voltage.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re not sure of your range, start measuring around 200-ohms or higher. Some models will show a \u201c1\u201d reading. This means the resistor has a higher capacity than your current setting.<\/li>\n<li>Touch the probes to either side of the item you\u2019re testing. Positive and negative doesn\u2019t matter here.<\/li>\n<li>Move down the ohm range on your multimeter gradually. When you\u2019re in range, the reading will make sense. The \u201c1\u201d or \u201cOL\u201d on a digital multimeter will change to a number.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re not getting a proper reading, turn down the multimeter range. A high setting won\u2019t pick up low ohms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re testing multiple resistors, try using alligator clip probes. They clip on to make measuring easier.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2001,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-180","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":172,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2001"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":917,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/180\/revisions\/917"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/172"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/180\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=180"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=180"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradeskillsforsuccessnumeracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}