Checking, repairing, and designing a circuit is a simple task if you have a multimeter. For any electronic device to function fully, there must be a closed circuit to all the flow of electricity.
When this flow is not regulated, malfunctioning will be the possible outcome. Electronic devices require a certain amount of electricity to function, so any amount below or above the limit may bring damages and malfunctions.
A multimeter will enable you to measure voltage, resistance, and current and conduct a continuity test. If you are a beginner and wonder how you can troubleshoot your circuits, then this article is for you.
Below are the activities are done by the Multimeter that you need to know.
Measuring Voltage
A digital multimeter can measure the AC and DC voltage; you will see a “V” mark at the Voltmetre part. You may see additional indications; this depends mainly on the DC and AC measurement.
DC Voltage
Looking closely at your multimeter, you will see a straight line adjacent to the place marked “V.” The primary purpose is to carry out the DC voltage measurement.
You will have to connect the required probes into the multimeter, adjust the knob to find out the DC voltage amount.
For a beginner, it will be hard to tell the correct position on the voltage measurement as there are several. So to find the maximum value that you can measure, you will have to take the number to which the knob has pointed.
Look at the following illustration: if your knob is at 20, you will be able to measure DC voltage of up to 20V.
On the other hand, if you intend to measure the voltage of the 9V battery, then you will have to put your knob at 20.
If you ignore the range value and set it lower than the measuring value, the LCD will read as 1. The reading will indicate that the outcome has surpassed the scope.
AC Voltage
Measuring AC Voltage needs to be done with a lot of caution; if you are a beginner, it’s best to do it under a veteran’s supervision. Avoid getting into contact with the tips of the probe. How do you go about AC mains voltage? Adjust the knob to 600 in AC Voltage measurement.
Before plugging probes, adjust the knob for AC voltage measurement. In the final part of AC voltage, plug the probes into the socket, and you will be able to see a display of measured AC Voltage at the LCD.
Measuring current
Measuring current is quite different from measuring voltage. Measuring voltage requires the placement of the probe at two separate sections on the circuit. In current measuring, you will be required to apply some basic circuit theory.
Remember, many of the digital Multimeters can only calculate DC. Therefore you will see a straight line adjacent to the “A” illustrating the DC Current measurement.
DC current
Now, let’s look at how to measure DC, adjust the multimeter knob to the DC measuring unit. It is essential to have a Multimeter that can measure the DC from as low as µA up to 200 mA, as it is good enough to measure current in LEDs.
Next is to adjust the range to 200mA and connect the multimeter to the circuit. If you disunite any of the probes, there will be no functionality. The current that has been measured will appear on the LCD.
Measuring resistance
Of all the measuring, resistance is the simplest to use with a Multimeter. At the Multimeter part, an Ohmmetre is typically presented by this symbol Ω. With this meter, you can find out maximum resistance of 2MΩ.
Calibrate the knob button to the required scope at the resistance measurement. Then, plug in the probes at the resistor’s leads, and finally, the measured resistance will appear on the LCD.
In measuring resistance, there is no standard formula for inserting probes. You can insert them in any way you like, the results will be unaltered.
Continuity test
A continuity test is the most common activity performed on the Multimeter; it’s not complicated as measuring voltage and current. The test is used in figuring out the continuity from one point on the circuit to the other.
In other words, with a continuity test, one can tell if a wire is a conductor or not. Also, you can tell if the switch is fully functioning or not.
The continuity test function is usually associated with the “speaker” symbol. To conduct the test, calibrate the bulge, plug the probes across a wire, and carefully observe.
If there is a continuous buzzer, the wire is a conductor and is in good condition. If there is no sound produced, then the wire has a problem.
How to use a multimetre for beginners
To be in a position to use a multimeter, you will need to familiarize yourself with the following multi meter activities:
- Measuring Voltage
- Measuring current
- Measuring resistance
- Continuity test