Multimeter use without blowing it up
You move the lead into the amps socket, forget about it, then try to test battery voltage. What actually happens?
What this lesson covers
CORE TEACHING COM/V/Ω/A sockets; voltage parallel; current series; resistance only on de-energised circuits; continuity; diode mode basics; OL; mV; autorange; meter fuse. PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND TESTS Set meter for voltage, resistance, continuity and amps; safely measure a small lamp current in series; demonstrate the wrong setup without creating a dangerous short. ADVANCED / SCAN TOOL LAYER Introduce clamp meters as the safer choice for starter/alternator and many parasitic-draw jobs. KEY DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS What mode am I in? Where are the leads plugged in? Am I joining in parallel or series? Is the circuit powered? MUST-COVER CHECKPOINTS Lead sockets; voltage parallel; amps series; resistance dead circuit; continuity limits; mV; OL; safety check before every measurement.
What you will be able to do
You move the lead into the amps socket, forget about it, then try to test battery voltage. What actually happens?
Where it sits in the programme
- Builds on
- Lesson 4: Voltage-drop testing properly
- Feeds into
- Lesson 6: Current and amperage