An analog multimeter generally consists of a screen with a pointer and multiple scales, a range selector and two leads. You would have to check your owner's manual or search Google for your particular meter to find out how to correct the setting. The "DC" scale is for reading DC voltage. How do I know what the voltage of a battery is? This article was co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman. Touch the red and black probes to opposite ends of the circuit, breadboard or device in order to measure the current passing through the system. ", "Thanks to this article I better understand an analog meter. While testing VAC output Phrase to Neutral, the multimeter reads O/L. –You must break the circuit and place the meter in series with the circuit and/or component. If you're having trouble remembering the difference between voltage and amperage, picture a water hose. The Ω scale is for reading resistance. Multiply the number scales that the pointer gave you with 5VAC. Although the best digital multimeters offer greater accuracy and other features that analog meters lack, such as overload protection, for most applications an analog meter will get the job done at a reasonable price. For example, a good fuse will always give a zero resistance reading while a heater filament/element with a zero resistance reading indicates a shorted heating filament/element. Is this normal? A quick refresher will help you learn how to use and read a multimeter without difficulty. If the needle of an analog multimeter points below zero even at the lowest range, then your "+" and "-" connectors are probably backwards. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Master Electrician. For tips on how to adjust for off the scale readings, keep reading! When touching leads, I have a reading of zero ohms. What do I set the meter on if I want to check a 12 volt car? So if it reads 3.00 then that's a current of 3 Amps. How do you check a coin cell (button cell) battery to see if it still has charge left? Approved. The larger the hose, the more amperage. In many cases though, an analog multimeter lacks the power needed to test current. Note that 5VAC per division will vary depending on the position of your range selector. See the end of this section for a brief explanation. Analog Multimeter, Measuring Current Steps in using your meter to measure Current flow. On an AC circuit, for example,V stands for "voltage," while a squiggly line indicates the alternating current. Fortunately, it won't take long to translate the settings and understand how to read the scale, so you can get back to your work. Select interchanging or direct current, depending on the type of circuit you’re working with. Multimeter Warehouse: How to Use a Multimeter. The process for reading current on a digital multimeter depends on your specific multimeter, but it is similar across most devices. The biggest drawback to analog multimeters is that they can be difficult for beginners to read. However, it is more likely that an analog VOM would have a scale labeled 250 that would stand in for 2.5mA, 25mA, 250mA, along with 2.5V, 25V, and 250V. When using a multimeter to measure current, the only way that can be used to detect the level of current flowing is to break into the circuit so that the current passes through the meter. Turn on the meter and insert the probes into the appropriate spots. When you select the 10A range, it means your meter will be displaying the current in Amps, up to a MAXIMUM of 10 Amps. If you were to ever set the selection knob to a number value lower than the voltage of the thing you’re testing, the multimeter would just read “1”, signifying that it’s overloaded. This will prevent an overcurrent from occurring, which could damage the multimeter. Follow the instructions listed in the article above. Next, switch the range selector to the desired AC voltage range, i.e. Before you attach your multimeter to the circuit, you need to make sure that the meter is rated for the number of amps traveling through that circuit. Although this can be difficult at times, it is the best option. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The Black Meter lead/Probe is Negative 3. Analog Multimeter, Measuring DC Voltage . While digital multimeters showcase a numeric display, analog multimeters provide readings through the use of a microammeter with a moving pointer. Jesse is also the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes. The meter movement is delicate and dropping the meter is likely to damage it! What can I do? Expert Interview. The power coming from most household circuits is AC. Electricity can be a complicated subject, and we understand how confusing it may sound when we talk about circuits, beakers, amps, and volts. Set the multimeter's zero position by touching the ends of the two probes together and pressing the zero position adjuster button just below the screen. The setting is the ohms range. The initial measurement will fluctuate while measuring AC voltage, but this will stabilize to an accurate reading. Analog multimeter ranges. In order to get the best reading, it is necessary to have the scale reading somewhere between about a quarter and all of the FSD. The "dB" scale is the least used option. If you are having trouble reading a digital multimeter, refer to the manual. The probes should have alligator clips; if they do not, use electrical tape to secure them onto the terminals. Analog multimeters may be more difficult to read than their digital counterparts, but the continuous movement of the needle allows a more precise monitoring of changes in current and resistance than a digital readout. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Meaning to say the similar distance signifies a varying value change depending upon your position on the scale. 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. However, some devices may convert the power to DC through a transistor, so check the voltage label before you test an object. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Jesse is also the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes. "Pictures are nice and clear. MAGS How To Videos - How To Use a Multimeter (For Beginners)In this video I will help teach you how use a multimeter to test volts (AC & DC), amps and ohms. Choosing the proper range will give you a more accurate reading. Secure the multimeter's probes on positive and negative terminals of the circuit -- the red probe to the positive terminal and the black probe to the negative terminal. In general, V indicates voltage, a squiggly line indicates alternating current (found in household circuits), and a straight or dashed line indicates direct current (found in most batteries). % of people told us that this article helped them. Turn the range selector dial to the 250 ampere setting. Basic Steps and Precautions •Remember; Voltage is measured across a component, but current flows through a component. You could also just check … Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 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. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Unlike the other scales, the 0 (zero) value is on the far right instead of the left. Jesse Kuhlman. The black probe always goes into the port labeled, When measuring voltage or resistance, the red probe goes into the port with the smallest current label (often, When measuring current, the red probe goes into the port labeled to withstand the amount of expected current. Switched range analog multimeters are very cheap but are difficult for beginners to read accurately, especially on resistance scales. But this is just the beginning of what this amazingly effective tool can do. How do I use the dB scale of an analog multimeter? Alternatively, if you have an analog multimeter, you'll need to check the numbers that the needle is pointing to beneath the glass screen. The line can appear next to or over the letter. This article has been viewed 671,927 times. ", "Showed me how to use a setting on the multimeter! ", "This article helps me to understand how to read a multimeter. If the multimeter ceases to work, then you should. f you're using a multimeter for the first time, one of the things you'll need to learn is how to read it, which isn't that obvious. Measuring resistance on electronic components whether doing it individually or in-circuit, is not simple unless you had learned how to read resistance scale using an ohmmeter of an analog… Connect the negative probe to the common outlet on the multimeter. Just measuring with a multimeter might deliver false results. If you have an analog VOM (Volt-Ohm-Milliampere or Volt-Ohm-Meter) set to 2.5mA on the selector, and you are looking at the 2.5mA scale on the meter face, a reading of 0.45 means 0.45mA. On the 2M setting, anything less than one would be in the kilo ohms range or lower, depending on the reading. It was later developed and sold as the … Electricity performs work for us when it travels in a circuit. The labels on a multimeter can seem like their own language to a layman, and even people with electrical experience may need a helping hand if they encounter an unfamiliar multimeter with an offbeat abbreviation system. Connecting the two leads to the positive and negative terminals of an electrical circuit and setting the range selector to the right setting will give an accurate readout of the current in the circuit. If the needle doesn't rest on 0 when the meter is not in use, it is probably not calibrated. They are described in terms of Full Scale Deflection or FSD. ", "Just bought an analog multimeter and this helped me know what it's trying to tell me, thank you! The multimeter has two probes, a negative probe that is black, and a positive probe, which is red. A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter), is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. Jesse specializes in all aspects of home/residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. Step – 2 . In this video, learn how to use the basic functions of a digital multimeter. It depends on what type of electrical device you are testing. Check the position of the needle on the "DC A" scale of the screen display. Wallulis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Whitman College. An analog multimeter generally consists of a screen with a pointer and multiple scales, a range selector and two leads. Check your range selector. Each range on the DC display is used for two positions of the selector switch. •This is not a “Auto-ranging Digital Multimeter! This is the maximum that the range can read. It is primarily used to measure voltage (volts), current (amps) and resistance (ohms). If you have a dedicated car battery test range, select the DC volts location on your multimeter (or the 12V setting). How to Use a Multimeter - Beginner's Crash Course - YouTube He has written for the Guide to Online Schools website, covering academic and professional topics for young adults looking at higher-education opportunities. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A typical current measurement can be made as shown below. Current is also called amperage and is measured in amps (A), milliamps (mA) and microamps (μA). This article has been viewed 671,927 times. Connecting the two leads to the positive and negative terminals of an electrical circuit and setting the range selector to the right setting will give an accurate readout of the current in the circuit. Each type of meter has its advantages. When testing the component, my reading is zero. And even a cheap, category I (CAT-I) multimeter is fine as you are merely testing voltage, not amperage. If you fail to select a higher range than the expected output of your circuit or battery, then the reading could damage your multimeter. For accurate readings, switch off the light sensor on your analog multimeter, once you connect the multimeter to the device under test, you will get your readings from the resistance ammeter. Other modes are less likely to damage the meter, but consider the lowest resistance setting and the 10V setting your default. in measuring 110VAC or 240VAC, your range selector should be at 250 VAC. How do I use a multimeter to get a true reading? Many multimeters have an mA (milliamp) port, which in … The negative wire’s probe should be connected to the socket, and the other probe connected to the meter. 3. Set Multimeter at 20v Volt. Digital multimeters are the best option for this since they give a more accurate reading, although you could also use an analog one. This article was co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman. This is the maximum that the range can read. On a digital multimeter, while testing a resistor, the knob is set to 2M and the reading shows 0.332, what is the value? Voltage is the water pressure and amperage is the size of the hose. There are 2 styles of multimeters in the following. This is typically the largest scale, at the top. By default, it should display the numeric result, but there could also be settings that display bar graphs or other forms of information display. This setting is to measure resistance. Set your meter to 25 VDC (or the first higher value on the scale above 12 VDC) and test the battery voltage across the terminals. The Red Meter lead/Probe is Positive 2. \$\endgroup\$ – Bimpelrekkie Feb 9 '18 at 8:10 1 \$\begingroup\$ Sure, but you use the multimeter in … Check the range setting that your analog multimeter’s dial is adjusted to. Jesse Kuhlman is a Master Electrician and the Owner of Kuhlman Electrician Services based in Massachusetts. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 671,927 times. They are described in terms of Full Scale Deflection or FSD. Connect the positive probe in the outlet marked ‘Amp.’ If you want to test a DC circuit, switch the setting on your multimeter to VDC or DCV. Jesse specializes in all aspects of home/residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. Analog multimeters, like digital ones have a variety of ranges. Is this a good reading? The wavy … Analog multimeters use a microammeter with a moving pointer to display readings. In this way the optimum accuracy and significant number of figures can be read. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Read-a-Multimeter-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-a-Multimeter-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Read-a-Multimeter-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid234277-v4-728px-Read-a-Multimeter-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"