How to Use a MULTIMETER - Beginners Guide (Measuring Volts, resistance, continuity & Amps)
Summary
TLDRThis video tutorial is designed for beginners to learn how to use a multimeter, a device for measuring electrical values like voltage, current, and resistance. It explains the basics of electricity, including the difference between DC and AC current, and guides viewers through using a multimeter to measure these values, resistance, and continuity. The instructor demonstrates practical applications, such as testing a car battery or an outlet, and emphasizes safety precautions. The video also offers advice on choosing a good multimeter, recommending auto-ranging models for ease of use, and suggests additional tools like alligator clips and jumper wires. It concludes with suggestions on where to purchase a multimeter and the importance of selecting a reputable brand.
Takeaways
- 🔌 A multimeter is a device used to measure electrical values such as voltage, current, and resistance in electronic devices.
- 🔋 Multimeters are useful for checking devices in cars and homes and are inexpensive yet informative once you learn to use them.
- ⚡ Electricity can be static or electric current, with the latter being measured by multimeters and divided into DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current).
- 🔧 Multimeters come in two types: manual range and auto range, with the latter being easier to use for beginners.
- 🔌 The multimeter has two leads, red and black, which connect to different jacks depending on the measurement being taken.
- 🔋 DC voltage is measured with the red lead in the volt jack and is used for devices powered by batteries.
- 🏠 AC voltage is measured similarly but requires selecting the correct range for the voltage in your region, such as 200V or 750V.
- 🔍 Resistance is measured by turning the dial to the resistance setting, and it's important to disconnect the device from any power source for accurate readings.
- 🔊 Continuity checks for a complete path for electricity to flow and can be used to test for breaks in wires or fuses.
- 💡 Current measurement requires the multimeter to be in series with the circuit, and it's crucial to start with the highest range to avoid damaging the device.
- 🛠️ Auto-ranging multimeters simplify the process by automatically selecting the appropriate range for the measurement being taken.
Q & A
What is a multimeter used for?
-A multimeter is used to measure electrical values such as voltage, current, and resistance in electronic devices found in cars or houses.
What are the two types of electric current mentioned in the script?
-The two types of electric current mentioned are DC (Direct Current) and AC (Alternative Current). DC current always flows in one direction, like in devices that run off a battery. AC current changes direction, like the current coming from wall outlets and used by most appliances.
What are the two types of multimeters discussed in the video?
-The two types of multimeters discussed are manual range multimeters and auto range multimeters.
What are the standard components included with a multimeter?
-Multimeters come with at least two leads, one red and one black. The black lead always goes to the common jack, and the red lead goes to the appropriate jack depending on the measurement being taken.
How do you measure DC voltage with a multimeter?
-To measure DC voltage, set the multimeter to the DC voltage setting, connect the red lead to the positive terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal of the device being tested.
What is the significance of the polarity when measuring voltage with a multimeter?
-Polarity is significant because if the leads are connected backwards, the multimeter will display a negative reading, indicating the current is flowing in the opposite direction.
How should you approach measuring an unknown voltage with a multimeter?
-When measuring an unknown voltage, start from the highest number available on the multimeter and work your way down until you get an accurate reading.
What is the purpose of measuring resistance with a multimeter?
-Measuring resistance with a multimeter helps determine the ease with which current can flow through a circuit. It's also used to check the functionality of components like fuel injectors by comparing the measured resistance to manufacturer specifications.
How does the continuity function on a multimeter work?
-The continuity function on a multimeter is used to check if there is an unbroken path for electricity between two points. If there is continuity, the multimeter will indicate this, often with a beep or a light.
What safety precautions should be taken when measuring AC voltage with a multimeter?
-When measuring AC voltage, ensure not to touch the metal tips of the probes and check that the test leads are not damaged or have exposed wires to avoid the risk of electrocution when dealing with high voltage.
Why is it recommended to start with the highest setting when measuring current with a multimeter?
-Starting with the highest setting when measuring current protects the multimeter from damage if the current being measured is higher than expected. If the reading is low, the setting can be adjusted down to milliamps for more accuracy.
What is the advantage of using an auto-ranging multimeter over a manual range multimeter?
-An auto-ranging multimeter automatically selects the appropriate range for the measurement, making it easier and faster to use compared to a manual range multimeter where the user has to manually select the correct setting.
What additional features are suggested for a multimeter to enhance its functionality?
-Additional features that can enhance a multimeter's functionality include the ability to read temperatures, record peak values, and include safety features.
What are some recommended accessories to purchase along with a multimeter?
-Alligator clips and jumper wires are recommended accessories as they can help set your hands free when making measurements.
Where can one purchase a good multimeter and what brands are recommended?
-A good multimeter can be purchased from any reputable electronic shop or online store. While good brands tend to be more expensive and aimed at professional use, most multimeters in the $50 to $100 range will serve the needs of beginners.
Outlines
🔌 Introduction to Multimeters and Basic Electricity Concepts
This paragraph introduces the concept of a multimeter, a device used to measure electrical values like voltage, current, and resistance. It's aimed at beginners and covers the basic functions of a multimeter, including what it is and where to purchase one. The script explains the fundamentals of electricity, differentiating between static electricity and electric current, and further between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). It also describes the two types of multimeters: manual range and auto range, and explains the function of the leads (test probes) that come with a multimeter.
🔍 How to Use a Multimeter for Voltage, Resistance, and Continuity
The second paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on how to use a multimeter to measure various electrical properties. It begins with measuring DC voltage, explaining how to set the multimeter and connect the leads to a car battery as an example. The importance of correct polarity is highlighted, and the process of measuring AC voltage is also covered, with a demonstration using a wall outlet. The script then moves on to measuring resistance, emphasizing the need to disconnect the item from any power source to get an accurate reading. Practical examples, such as testing a blower motor or fuel injector, are given to illustrate the application of these measurements. The concept of continuity is introduced, and the process of testing for it using a multimeter is explained. The paragraph concludes with advice on purchasing an auto-ranging multimeter for ease of use and additional useful features to look for in a multimeter.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Multimeter
💡Electricity
💡DC Current
💡AC Current
💡Auto Range Multimeters
💡Resistance
💡Continuity
💡Current
💡Polarity
💡Safety Precautions
💡Alligator Clips and Jumper Wires
Highlights
Introduction to what a multimeter is and its use for measuring electrical values such as voltage, current, and resistance.
Explanation of the importance of multimeters for beginners and their affordability.
Basics of electricity, defining electricity as a flow of electrons and distinguishing between static and electric current.
Differentiation between DC (Direct Current) and AC (Alternative Current).
Introduction to the two types of multimeters: manual range and auto range.
Description of multimeter leads, the common jack, and the function of the red and black leads.
How to measure DC voltage using a multimeter, including proper lead connections.
The significance of polarity when measuring voltage and how to identify it.
Measuring AC voltage, including safety precautions and the correct settings on the multimeter.
Instructions on measuring resistance with a multimeter and the importance of disconnecting the circuit.
Practical example of using resistance measurement to test a fuel injector.
Explanation of continuity testing and its application in checking for breaks in a wire.
How to measure current with a multimeter, including settings for milliamps and higher currents.
Demonstration of measuring current in a fan and the implications of high starting current.
Advantages of auto-ranging multimeters over manual range multimeters.
Recommendation to consider a multimeter with an amp clamp for easier current measurement.
Suggestion to include alligator clips and jumper wires for hands-free testing.
Advice on where to buy a good multimeter and the range of prices for beginner-friendly models.
Recommendation to subscribe for more educational content on using a multimeter.
Transcripts
hey guys how's it going today I'm going
to show you how to use a multimeter for
this you don't know what a multimeter is
well multimeter is something you used to
measure electrical values such as
voltage current and resistance in
electronic devices you'll find in your
car or in a house this video is geared
specifically to beginners so I'm going
to cover all the basic functions of a
multimeter and also help you answer the
question what is a good multimeter and
where can you buy on the good thing
about multimeters is that they are very
inexpensive yet they can give you an
incredible amount of information once
you learn how to use them before we
start learning how to use a multimeter
let's have a look at some of the basics
of electricity electricity can be
defined as a flow of electrons if the
electrons are not born we call it static
electricity if the electrons are moving
on a conductive material then we call it
electric current when it comes to
multimeters we only talk about electric
current there are two types of electric
current DC current an AC current DC
means direct current means the direction
of the current always falls in one
direction for example any device that
runs off of a battery is run by DC
current
next up we have the AC current AC means
alternative current where the direction
of the current always change for example
the current coming for you old applet is
AC current so as most of the appliances
you connect to it now let's have a look
at multimeters there are two types of
multimeters many old range multimeters
and auto range multimeters what mmm
ultimate you buy they always comes with
at least two leads one is red and one is
black the backlight always goes to the
common Jack where it says common the red
LED goes to either of these two jacks
depending on what you're measuring if
you are measuring volts resistance or
milliamps then you unplug the red light
into this jack if you are measuring
larger currents up to 10 amps then the
red LED goes here different multimeters
may have different setup for the red
jack
for example in this multimeter if you're
testing balls resistance or diodes
then the red LED goes here if you are
testing smaller currents in milliamps or
my crimes
then the red leaders here for logic
aren't up to ten names then the red lead
goes here first we'll take a look at a
very cheap manual range multimeter we
can be looking at DC voltage AC voltage
amps resistance and continuity let's
start with DC voltage I'm gonna test
this car by order to see if it is good
so you need to have the red lip in this
jack where it says volt because the
calories are in 12 volts range even turn
the dial into the next number of from 12
so in this multimeter 20 is the closest
number of from 12 then you wanna connect
the red lead to the positive terminal
and the black led to the negative
terminal we have twelve point nine volts
here and that is a good reading if the
reading was very low then you definitely
have a big battery and even replace it
let's say you connect the leads
backwards it's not gonna do any damage
but the reading on the multimeter will
be negative letting you know that the
current is flow in the other direction
that way you can identify the polarity
which is handy let's say you don't know
the man of voltage you measure well then
you always want to start from the
highest number available in your
multimeter and work your way down until
you get an accurate reading when I say
an accurate reading reading it to
decimals is accurate enough for most
cases if you get a rating of one that
means the voltage you're gonna measure
is beyond the selected range of your
multimeter so even a scale up until you
get two decimal places that's more two
AC voltage let's see if this wall
outlets is working now you're gonna turn
the dial into AC volts and we have two
readings one is 200 volts and one is 750
volts now if you turn the dial into 200
volts then the MARTA mate will only read
up to 200 that is good if you live in a
country where half sold
Aldridge's in hundred and fifteen range
but in australia wall outlets have 240
volts so i'm going to turn the dial into
750 because that is the next one after
we have on this multimeter you wanna be
careful when you're doing this you don't
touch these metal tips of the probes and
also even make sure your test leads are
not damaged or having an exposed wires
because you're dealing with high voltage
and you don't want to get electrocuted
then even a probe into the outlet and we
have 240 volts
let's move to measuring resistance this
is very easy
all he had to do is to turn the dial
into resistance this horseshoe mark
right here is a standard symbol for the
resistance and if you look down here the
red Li stays in the same place because
this plaque can read resistance as well
resistance means have had it is for the
current to flow through in a circuit so
let's say you measure the resistance of
something while it is still connected to
a power source or still connected to a
circuit board then the multimeter will
take a different path with the least
resistance between the test leads and
will give you a false reading so
whenever you test resistance you always
I salute the subject you trying to work
on here I'm measuring the resistance of
a blower motor here I'm measuring the
resistance of a fuel injector now here's
a practical example let's say you one of
the fuel injectors in a carving out a
brand new one is often very expensive so
let's say you're thinking about buying a
used one from a junkyard then the only
way you can figure out whether this is a
good one or bad one is to check the
resistance and see if the rating meets
the manufacturers specs if the rating is
different than what is mentioned in the
specs that means you're looking at a bad
injector so you don't look for another
one next up we have a continuity he can
use this function to see if you have
continuity between two points if we have
continuity then the multimeter will be
this cheap multimeter does not have a
beep function so let's mount this one
now you don't turn the dial into this
symbol that looks like a speaker that is
continuity and the red lace still stays
in the same place where it says
resistance let's say if this piece of
wire is broken we hear the beep so this
wire is good
here I'm testing the fuses in my car to
see if I have been fees here I'm
touching an earphone finally let's move
on to measuring current if you are
measuring milliamps then the red lead
stays in here
if you are measuring larger currents up
to 10 amps then the red lead goes here
if you are not sure about how much
current you're gonna measure then always
start from the amps instead of milliamps
that way you wouldn't damage your
multimeter and if the reading is
actually in very low amps then you can
move on to milliamps for more accuracy
now unlike measuring words resistance or
continued you may replace the test leads
in parallel to the flow now we had a
splice in the test leads in series with
the flow here's an example of a fan
connected to a battery here we had the
negative side and here we had the
positive side to measure amps here we
had the multimeter spliced into the
power side wire and as you can see we
have reading of 4.5 m/s now let me show
you something real quick
as you can see when the motor first
started to spin it draws a lot of
current now it is normal to draw a
little more current in the beginning but
too much current means the mode is very
hard to spin which is a classic sign for
a sticky bearing and this could be the
reason why your cross fuse for the
blower motor keeps blowing once in a
while alright now that's how it probably
is a multimeter for basic functions the
only downside is that when you are using
a menu already multimeter like this you
always had to turn the dial into
different settings so if you're thinking
about buying a multimeter make sure you
buy an auto ranging multimeter you just
had to select but you're gonna measure
AC voltage DC voltage resistance
continuty amps and start measuring trust
me
this is gonna make your life that much
easier and if you're gonna be using your
multimeter all trying to make your amps
then you can think about buying a
multimeter with an amp clamp this has
all the basic functions of a multimeter
it has two jacks for the test leads but
when you measuring amps rather than
splicing in your multimeter and messing
around with the wires you can easily
clamp it over the wire and get the
reading for regular users there are lots
of cheap but pacing quality auto range
it's available in the market if you can
try to find one with some useful
additional features like reading
temperatures record peak values and
safety features and so on
I wouldn't go much into it because those
features and that necessary when you
first start out last but not least add
some alligator clips and some jumper
wires for your shopping cart because
this is gonna set your hands-free when
you need them the next question you may
have is where to buy a good multimeter
and what is a good brand he can buy a
decent multimeter from any good
electronic shop or from online shops
speaking about the brand good brands are
often very expensive and those are
mainly for professional uses so if you
are beginner most multimeters in 50 to
100 dollars range will serve your
purpose hopefully this video is helpful
and in freeze press the like button and
also see my other videos to learn more
on how to use a multimeter to fix your
own cap at home and save yourself a
bunch of money also we have cool videos
coming up so if you haven't subscribed
definitely consider subscribing
sorry old memories another video as
always all the tools I have used in this
video a link in the description down
below so you can easily find them and
I'll see in the next one
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