Multi Tester

Types, Parts and

Function
A MULTIMETER/MULTITESTER
is a measuring instrument that
can measure multiple
electrical properties. A typical
multimeter can measure
VOLTAGE, RESISTANCE, and
CURRENT, in which case it is
also known as a volt-ohm-
milliammeter (VOM), as the
unit is equipped with
VOLTMETER, AMMETER, and
OHMMETER functionality.
Types of Multitester

1. Analog
multimeters use a
microammeter with
a moving pointer to
display readings
 Types of Multitester
2. Digital
multimeters (DMM, DVOM
) have numeric displays and
have made analog
multimeters virtually
obsolete as they are
cheaper, more precise, and
more physically robust than
analog multimeters.
Parts of a Multitester
1. SCALE This is how you read the value being measured.
For an analog multitester, this is a series of markings in a
semicircle. Depending on the complexity of your
multimeter, you can read different variations such as
voltage, current, and resistance on the device screen and
scale section. Which value you are measuring depends on
what port you plugged into on your analog multitester.
Parts of a Multitester
2. Needle Pointer: This is the needle-shaped rod that
moves over the scale of a meter. The needle pointer is
mechanically connected to the moving coil. The value the
pointer hovers over indicates the value being measured
by the multitester
Parts of a Multitester
3. Adjustment Screw: This part which is also known as the
dial or infinity knob allows you to adjust the pointer to the
zero position of the scale. This is usually accompanied
with the help of a flat head screwdriver.
Parts of a Multitester
4. Zero-Ohm Adjustment Knob: The zero-ohm adjustment
knob is used to calibrate the multitester when you want
to measure the resistance of an object. To make sure the
multitester is calibrated correctly you have to turn on the
multitester, then connect the metal tips of the two probes
and finally use the zero-ohm adjustment knob to adjust
the needle to point to ‘0 ohms’ on the scale.
Parts of a Multitester
5. Range Selector Knob: This part is also known as a
selector switch. A range selector knob allows you to adjust
the settings of the multitester. Using this you can change
what the multitester is measuring (e.g. voltage, current,
or resistance)
Parts of a Multitester
7. Test Probes: A test probe or a test lead is an instrument
used to connect a multimeter to a Device Under Test
which is known as DUT. Test probes are flexible, insulated
wires. They are able to establish an electrical connection
between a multimeter and the DUT without exposing
electrical workers to live conductive parts. Red test probes
connect to the positive terminal, and black test probes
connect to the negative terminal.
Analog multimeter basics and
reading
Analog Meter precautions
• Do not drop or pile tools or anything else
on your meter
• Do not place your multi meter in a place in
a place where you may accidentally knock
it over or pull it to the floor.
• Do not let your multimeter get wet and
never store it in a damp place. If you get it
wet, open the case and let it set open until
it is dry.
Analog Meter precautions
• Do not let your Ohm meter set on any of the
resistance ranges when not in use or when in
storage. Turn it off before storing and after use.
• This can cause the battery in the meter to run
down.
• Don’t let Magnetized objects near your meter!
• This may permanently decrease your meters
accuracy
• Do not let depleted batteries remain in your meter
• Bad batteries can leak and cause damage
Reminders before starting resistance
reading!
• Touch probe together multiple times to
see the meter movement.
• You Should see the needle rest on the left
side in the infinity position and deflects to
the zero position when the tips of the
meter leads/probes are touching
• START READING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT!
How to read Resistance in Multitester
Scale
• resistance scale is located in the top most part of a meter panel. You
may have noticed a descending order of number. From left (∞) to
right (0). In practice, reading values always starts from zero.
Therefore we will read resistance values from right to left which is
zero (0) to infinity (∞) .
 Scale reading (Ω)

0–1 — is divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.2 ohm.

Therefore 0.2 ohm multiplied by 5 scales is equal to 1 ohm.
1–2 — also divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.2 ohm.
Therefore 0.2 ohm multiplied by 5 scales is equal to 1 ohm. Adding
all the value from zero, we get a total of 2 ohms
• 2–5 — is divided by 6 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.5
ohm. Therefore 0.5 ohm multiplied by 6 scales is equal to 3
ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 5
ohms.
• 5–10 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of 0.5
ohm. Therefore 0.5 ohm multiplied by 10 scales is equal to 5
ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total of 10
ohms.
•10–20 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value
of 1 ohm. Therefore 1 ohm multiplied by 10 scales is
equal to 10 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we
get a total of 20 ohms.
•20–30 — is divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of 2 ohms. Therefore 2 ohms
multiplied by 5 scales is equal to 10 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a
total of 30 ohms.
•30–50 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of 2 ohms. Therefore 2 ohms
multiplied by 10 scales is equal to 20 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a
total of 50 ohms.
•50–100 — is divided by 10 scales. Each scale has a value of
5 ohms. Therefore 5 ohms multiplied by 10 scales is equal
to 50 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a total
of 100 ohms.
•100–200 — is divided by 5 scales. Each scale has a value of
20 ohms. Therefore 20 ohms multiplied by 5 scales is
equal to 100 ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get
a total of 200 ohms.
• 200–500 — is divided by 4 scales. the scale
after 200 has a value of 50 ohms, the
following two scale has a value of 100
ohms
• 500–1k — is not divided by a scale. Therefore
from 500, you will get the value of 1 kilo-ohms
(1K) by adding 500 ohms. So, it is very obvious
that the gap between 500 ohms and 1k is 500
ohms. Adding all the value from zero, we get a
total of 1 kilo-ohms (1K).
• 1k-2k — is not divided by a scale. Therefore from
1K, you will get the value of 2k by adding 1K. So,
the gap is obviously 1 kilo-ohms (1K). Adding all
the value from zero, we get a total of 2 kilo-ohms
(2K).
What is a multiplier?
• These are the 5 range of an ohmmeter, as you can see in the image
below. An ohmmeter is divided by five main settings.
What is a multiplier?
a) x1 — select this range so that any value in the
resistance scale is multiplied by 1.
b) x10 — select this range so that any value in the
resistance scale is multiplied by 10.
c) x100 — select this range so that any value in the
resistance scale is multiplied by 100.
d) x1k — select this range so that any value in the
resistance scale is multiplied by 1k or 1 thousand.
f) x100k - select this range so that any value in the
resistance scale is multiplied by 100k or 100 thousand.
What range should be used in
resistance measurement?
• x1 — Select this range if you are measuring
resistance below 10 ohms.
• x10 — Select this range if you are measuring
resistance below 100 -ohms.
• x100 — Select this range if you are measuring
resistance below 1000-ohms.
• x1k — Select this range if you are measuring
resistance below 2M-ohms.
• X100k -Select this range if you are measuring
resistance 2M-ohms and above.
Measuring DC Voltage
RANGE SCALE MULTIPLIED DIVIDE
READING
0.1 10 X 0.01 100
0.25 250 X 0.001 1000
2.5 250 X 0.01 100
10 10 X1 1
50 50 X1 1
250 250 X1 1
1000 10 X 100
NOTE!

• WHEN MEASURING UNKNOWN

VOLTAGE, ALWAYS STARTS WITH
THE HIGHEST RANGE.
SCALE

RANGE
Measuring DC Voltage

• 10 SCALE – EACH SCALE HAS A VALUE OF O.2 VOLT

• 50 SCALE – EACH SCALE HAS A VALUE OF 1 VOLT

• 250 SCALE – EACH SCALE HAS A VALUE OF 5 VOLTS

• NOTE! START READING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.

LET’S TRY!
RANGE SCALE MEASURED ACTUAL
VALUE VALUE
0.1 10.2 DCV
0.25 1.7 DCV
50 35.5 DCV
2.5 150 DCV
1000 9.6 DCV
10 4.8 DCV
Measuring AC Voltage

RANGE SCALE MULTIPLIED DIVIDE

READING
10 10 X1 1
50 50 X1 1
250 250 X1 1
750 10 X 100
NOTE!

• WHEN MEASURING UNKNOWN

VOLTAGE, ALWAYS STARTS WITH
THE HIGHEST RANGE.
SCALE

RANGE
Measuring AC Voltage

• 10 SCALE – EACH SCALE HAS A VALUE OF O.2 VOLT

• 50 SCALE – EACH SCALE HAS A VALUE OF 1 VOLT

• 250 SCALE – EACH SCALE HAS A VALUE OF 5 VOLTS

• NOTE! START READING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.

LET’S TRY!
RANGE SCALE MEASURED ACTUAL
VALUE VALUE
250 80.5 ACV
50 21.5 ACV
10 3.5 ACV
750 5.4 ACV
MEASURING DC CURRENT
MEASURING DC CURRENT
RANGE SCALE MULTIPLIED DIVIDE

0.25 250 X0.001 1000

25m 250 X0.1 10

2.5m 250 X0.01 100

50µ 50 X1 1
Basic Steps and Precautions
• Remember; Voltage is
measured across a component,
but current flows through a
component. –You must break
the circuit and place the meter
in series with the circuit
and/or component.
Basic Steps and Precautions
• • This is not a “Auto-ranging
Digital Multimeter! Pay attention
to the polarity of the circuit
components and the lead
placement. –The Black Lead is the
Negative Lead. –The Red Lead is
the Positive Lead.
Basic Steps and Precautions
• It does not hurt to start with the
Function switch at a high level and
decrease to a lower level.
• It is still a good idea to try to read
the value about mid scale or mid
range on the meter.