Analog Multitester

Analog Multitester
A multimeter is an instrument used to
check for AC or DC voltages, resistance
and continuity of electrical components,
and small amounts of current in circuits.
Getting Familiar With the Device
• Locate the dial of your multimeter. This has the arc-shaped scales visible
through the window and a pointer which will indicate the values read from
the scale. The arc-shaped marks on the meter dial face may be different
colors that indicate each scale, so they will have different values. These
determine the ranges of magnitude.
• Find the selector switch, or knob. This allows you to change the function
between volts, ohms, and amps, and to change the scale (x1, x10, etc.) of the
meter.
• Many functions have multiple ranges, so
it's important to have both set correctly,
otherwise serious damage to the meter
or harm to the operator may result.
• Some meters have an "Off" position on
this selector switch while others have a
separate switch to turn the meter off.
The meter should be set to "Off" when
stored and not in use.
Locate the openings in the case where you'll insert the test leads.
• Most multimeters have several jacks used for this purpose.One is usually
labeled "COM" or (-), which stands for for common. This is where the black test
lead will be connected. It will be used for nearly every measurement taken.
• The other jack or jacks should be labeled "V" (+) and the Omega symbol (an
upside down horseshoe) for Volts and Ohms, respectively.
Locate the test leads. There should be two test leads or probes. Generally, one is
black and the other red. These are used to connect to whatever device you're
planning on testing and measuring.
Find the battery and fuse compartment. This is usually found on the back, but is
also sometimes on the side of some models. This holds the fuse (and possibly a
spare), and the battery that supplies power to the meter for resistance tests.
Find the Zero Adjustment knob. This is a small knob usually located near the dial
that is labeled "Ohms Adjust," "0 Adj," or something similar. This is used only in
the ohms or resistance range, while the probes are shorted together (touching
each other).
Measuring Resistance
Set the multimeter to Ohms or Resistance.
Turn the meter on if it has a separate
power switch. When multimeter
measures resistance in ohms, it can
not measure continuity because
resistance and continuity are
opposites. When there is little
resistance, there will be a great
deal of continuity, and vice versa.
With this in mind, you can make
assumptions about continuity based
on the resistance values measured.
• Observe the meter indication. If the test leads are not in contact with anything,
the needle or pointer of an analog meter will rest at the left-most position. This
represents an infinite amount of resistance, or an "open circuit." It's safe to say
there is the no continuity, or path between the black and red probes.
• Connect the test leads. Connect the black test lead to the jack marked
"Common" or "-". Then, connect the red test lead to the jack marked with the
Omega (Ohm symbol) or letter "R" near it.
• Hold the probes at the end of the test leads together. The meter pointer
should move fully to the right. Locate the "Zero Adjust" knob and rotate it so
that the meter indicates "0" (or as close to "0" as possible).
• Test resistance between hands. Set the meter to the highest R x value possible
and zero the meter.
• Make sure your reading is accurate. It's very important that the probes not
touch anything other than the device being tested. A device that has burned
out will not show "open" on the meter when testing if your fingers provide an
alternate path around the device, like when they are touching the probes.
Measuring Voltage
• Set the meter for the highest range provided for AC Volts. Many times,
the voltage to be measured has a value that is unknown. For this reason,
the highest range possible is selected so that the meter circuitry and
movement will not be damaged by voltage greater than expected.
• Insert your test probes. Insert the black probe in the "COM" or "-" jack. Next,
insert the red probe in the "V" or "+" jack.
• Locate the voltage scales. There may be several Volt scales with different
maximum values. The range chosen by the selector knob determines which
voltage scale to read.
• Test a common electrical outlet. In the Philippines, you may expect 220 volts.
In other places, 240 or 380 volts might be expected.Press the black probe into
one of the straight slots. It should be possible to let go of the black probe, as
the contacts behind the face of the outlet should grip the probe, much like it
does when a plug is inserted.
• Insert the red probe into the other straight slot. The meter should indicate a
voltage very close to 120 or 240 volts (depending on type outlet tested).
• Remove the probes. Rotate the selector knob to the lowest range offered that
is greater than the voltage indicated
• Reinsert the probes as previously. The meter may indicate between 220 and
as much as 240 volts this time. The range of the meter is important to obtain
accurate measurements.
• Try not to hold both. Whenever possible, try to connect at least one probe in
such a way that it will not be required to hold both while making tests. Some
meters have accessories that include alligator clips or other types of clamps
that will assist doing this. Minimizing your contact with electrical circuits
drastically reduces that chances of sustaining burns or injury.
Multimeter Safety Precautions

As with other meters, the incorrect use of a multimeter could

cause injury or damage. The following safety precautions are the
MINIMUM for using a multimeter.
• Deenergize and discharge the circuit completely before connecting or
disconnecting amultimeter.
• Never apply power to the circuit while measuring resistance with a
multimeter.
• Connect the multimeter in series with the circuit for current measurements,
and in parallel for
voltage measurements.
• Be certain the multimeter is switched to ac before attempting to measure
ac circuits.
• Observe proper dc polarity when measuring dc
• When you are finished with a multimeter, switch it to the OFF position, if available.
• If there isno OFF position, switch the multimeter to the highest ac voltage position.
• Always start with the highest voltage or current range.
• Select a final range that allows a reading near the middle of the scale.
• Adjust the "0 ohms" reading after changing resistance ranges and before making a
resistance measurement.
• Be certain to read ac measurements on the ac scale of a multimeter.
General precautions when
measuring resistance
• As with any measurement, when measuring resistance, there are
some precautions to observe. In this way damage to the multimeter
can be prevented, and more accurate measurements can be made.
• Measure resistance when components are not connected in
a circuit:

It is always advisable not to measure the resistance of an item

that is in a circuit. It is always best to make the measurement
of the component on its own out of the circuit. If a
measurement is made in-circuit, then all the other
components around it will have an effect. Any other paths
that will allow current to pass will affect the readings, making
them inaccurate to some degree.
• Remember to ensure the circuit under test is not powered
on.

Under some circumstances it is necessary to measure

resistance values actually on a circuit. When doing this it
is very important to ensure the circuit is not powered on. Not
only will any current flowing in the circuit invalidate any
readings, but should the voltage be high enough, the current
resulting could damage the multimeter.
• Ensure capacitors in a circuit under test are discharged.

Again when measuring resistance values in a circuit, it is

necessary to ensure that any capacitors in the circuit are
discharged. Any current that flows as a result of them will
cause the meter reading to be altered. Also any capacitors in
the circuit that are discharged may charge up as a result of the
current from the multimeter and as a result it may take a
short while for the reading to settle.
• Remember diodes in a circuit will cause different readings
in either direction.

When measuring resistance in a circuit that includes diodes

the value measured will be different if the connections are
reversed. This is because the diodes only conduct in one
direction.
• Leakage path through fingers can alter readings in some
cases.

When making some resistance measurements it is necessary

to hold a resistor or component onto the multimeter test
probes. If high resistance measurements are being made the
leakage path through the fingers can become noticeable.
Under some circumstances the resistance path through fingers
can be measured at just a few megohms, and as a result this
can become significant. Fortunately the levels of voltage used
in most multimeters when measuring resistance is low, but
some specialised meters may use much higher voltages. It is
wise to check.