Multimeters are great tools that can help you effectively solve any electrical problem you have with your appliance.
Every household should have one of these devices because it can help you out of many tricky situations when troubleshooting an electrical appliance.
You don’t have to be a professional to check simple things like AC or DC voltage on your appliance. But before you begin any troubleshooting task, it is important to understand the different features of the multimeter. When you are familiar with what each component or feature does, it will help you effectively fix any electrical problems.
So, what are the features of the best types of multimeters?
Read on to find out.
The best quality multimeters have graphic functions which display AC measurements in real time. If you notice irregularities, this feature will come in handy to help you easily detect any fault with your appliances. It is even more useful to those who work with nonlinear AC waveforms.
This is another excellent feature that enables you to monitor and record your measured data over a long period of time. The software can record data over a prolonged period and also show the general trends within that period. After the data is collected, it can then be utilized for further analysis. This feature is much needed for the repair and installation of systems such as air conditioning and ventilation systems.
If you want to troubleshoot motor drives, this feature will be perfect. Most of the RMS used may not have this feature but the best quality models will not let you down. The low pass feature is meant to prevent unwanted voltages when measuring voltages that are higher than 1 KHz if measuring AC frequency or AC voltage. It will also improve the level of accuracy when measuring voltages and current on appliances such as inverters and frequency motor drives.
This feature is necessary for preventing induced voltages from measurement. The voltage can result from capacitive coupling between energized wires. If the induced voltages are noticed, it can lead to more accurate measurements.
This is an advanced feature of the multimeter, and it’s available in a few different types of multimeter. It is also known as offset compensation, the feature that allows you to achieve greater measurement accuracy in some situations. This feature is needed when testing resistance with two distinct test currents to find out if there are offset voltages present in the input circuit. With this check, it displays a corrected measure and eliminates any unexpected DC voltage within the circuit.
Voltage test is the most common feature of the multimeter. Almost all types of multimeters (whether digital or analogue) have this capability. The voltage test begins at the highest range and moves down to the most ideal voltage range for the appliance you intend to measure. However, if you want to measure voltages at different locations within the circuit you need to make use of the test leads to identify and effectively read the voltage differences. When measuring, remember that DC modes and AC modes are not compatible. Another important thing you need to know is to always measure your voltage first in order to find out if the circuit is DC or AC.
Finally, a multimeter will not serve its rightful purpose if it is not able to measure ohms. It is the most important feature of the multimeter. The measuring ohm is required when checking for consistency of current on an appliance or a circuit. If a switch is open or a wire is broken, you may not be able to detect the fault until you make use of this feature. The ohmmeter will help you check for consistency when troubleshooting your device. Although you can test for continuity using another method since some multimeters have a different feature that only test for continuity, those multimeters that can read both continuity and ohms are more preferred since they can also be used to test network and SCSI terminations.
The multimeter is an integral part of any electrician’s working tool.
Without the multimeter, no meaningful troubleshooting task can be carried out. To a professional, using a multimeter may not be a big ask. However, a home owner or an individual who is not technically savvy will need to understand the basic functions of the multimeter before making effective use of the gadget.
Basically, a multimeter is used to measure AC/DC voltage, current, resistance, continuity and for diode checking purposes. Apart from knowing the functionalities of this gadget, it’s wise to understand its safety measures in order to remain safe when working with the multimeter.
This article will provide a detailed explanation of the various uses of the multimeter and some safety measures to make sure you remain safe when troubleshooting electrical appliances with the multimeter.
One of the primary things to do with a multimeter is to measure AC/DC voltage. When choosing a multimeter, it is necessary to select one with higher main voltage rating than traditional multimeters. It should be higher than most household voltage ratings, which is below 10 percent of 230 V. With the right kind of multimeter, you will able to accurately measure the AC/DC voltage of your electrical appliances to detect any issue with the appliance.
The same method of measuring voltage is also applied when measuring current. However, when measuring current it is important to adhere to safety rules. High current can result to electrical hazards which may be escalated by the use of cheap multimeters. This is the reason why you need to select the most ideal multimeter that will provide accurate and safety readings when troubleshooting your appliances.
Never make use of the multimeter above the range it was intended for.
This may lead to frequent cases of electrical hazards.
With the correct use of the multimeter and if the right safety measures are followed, the multimeter will definitely help you solve most of your electrical troubleshooting problems.
This is another important feature of the multimeter. When measuring resistance between two points, it is done by moving current through the present component being measured. To do this effectively, you need to remove the component from the circuit. Closed circuits usually have a little resistance while open circuits have infinite resistance. All these will be familiar to you if you are an experienced electrician. However, if you are not so tech-savvy, you need to understand their differences to be able to do a better job when using the multimeter. Most multimeters are designed with a beeper which indicates the measurement of the small resistance through an emitted tone. Some are even designed with a visual alert, particularly a red light, to help users correctly detect the signals. When selecting a multimeter, choose a device with a good indicating light and tone that doesn’t delay when giving signals. This is why it is important to opt for a high quality multimeter because your work will be more effective if you are making use of the right piece of equipment.
There are good multimeters with special features that can enable you perform diode checking on your appliance. This features show the forward voltage drop of the diode. When buying a multimeter, even when you only intend using it for household appliance, it is important to select a product which is diode checking enabled because you never know when you may need such features for your troubleshooting tasks.
There are also some digital multimeters that can equally measure capacitance. But the digital multimeters measure capacitance in different ways than the handheld multimeter. The former makes use of AC signal which is more accurate than computing the voltage rate of change, used by the handheld multimeter. However, this measurement is not accurate when you want to measure capacitors with traits like equivalent series resistance, dissipation factor, leakage or dielectric absorption. In this case, a LCR meter should be pressed into action instead.
Finally, a multimeter is also used for measuring frequency. This can be important if your appliance depends on a steady current and AC voltage for proper performance. You can monitor current or real time voltage with the frequency measurement within a specific pulse width, duty cycle or frequency. However, remember that not every multimeter is designed with this feature. It is always important to see what features the multimeter has before purchasing.
If you are looking to buy a multimeter for your electrical troubleshooting tasks, there are certain key things you need to consider.
You need the right information to ensure that you are getting the smartest deal and the best bargain.
Some crucial elements to bear in mind include the features, ease of use, how to use the multimeter, cost and overall design (whether it’s portable or too large). Some of these considerations are based on what you want to accomplish with the multimeter.
Read on for more information on the things you need to give think about before buying a multimeter.
Obviously, one of the first questions that pops up in your mind when buying a multimeter is, “How much should I pay?” Multimeters vary in terms of brand and price; some are very affordable while some others at the higher end of pricing. But to give you an idea, you can spend anywhere between $50 and $500. Usually, the calibrated multimeters are more expensive than ones that are not calibrated. However, you may need it to be calibrated on a yearly basis to keep it very accurate. This additional expense can quickly outflank the initial cost.
Usually, cheaper models are designed with only basic features and may not have the extended functionality that comes with the more expensive ones. Handheld multimeters are a good example of cheaper options. But it is advisable to buy a high quality product with all the right features if you are a professional. You don’t want your customers to be disappointed with your service due to the use of inaccurate reading material. So, a bench top multimeter is ideal for most professional troubleshooting jobs.
The feature of the multimeter are paramount.
Before you invest, understand what you are looking for to select the multimeter that will best serve that need. If you want a simple functioning meter with just basic features to help you accomplish simple tasks, you can settle for a product with straightforward measuring features.
However, if you are a professional who require a wide range of choices with a multimeter, it is better to settle for a more feature-rich product.
Usually, digital multimeters tend to be more accurate with more measuring features such as current, resistance, DC and AC voltage, capacitance and continuity. Most high quality units come with features which include data acquisitions, removable data storage, adjustable sample rating, auto ranging and DB ratings.
There are varying ways you can use a multimeter just as the name implies. You can use a multimeter on switches, power sources, components, motors and batteries. An auto-ranging feature is another excellent feature that high quality multimeters have. With an auto-ranging feature, you will be able to select different range of voltages since you will be dealing with a very flexible device. It is great for wiring systems and detecting computer malfunctions.
The brand of multimeter you buy is also very important.
In most cases, you will find good models made by high quality brands. Good brands want to maintain their standards and they would not want to manufacture products with poor quality design. The best brands of multimeters always maintain high quality control.
So, when you are ready to buy a multimeter, do not neglect to look at the best brands and see what they offer before you make your purchase. Known brands provide superior products that are more efficient and highly accurate for all kinds of electronic troubleshooting. They boast the highest customer ratings and reviews on retail websites such as Amazon.
Before you buy a multimeter, make sure to search for the best brands and settle for the product with the best measuring ability.
There are different options available for you if you are looking for a high quality multimeter to buy.
Before you settle for one, always try to conduct your research and select the product with the highest ratings and reviews on retail websites. Select the meter with the best features based on your needs and the kind of task you want to accomplish.
If you conduct proper research before buying a multimeter, you will be able to select the ideal model that will help you accomplish your task more effectively.
A multimeter is a three-in-one electrical measuring device. It measures electric current (amperes), resistance (ohms) and voltage (volts).
Using a multimeter in making various measurements is a simple procedure provided you are conversant with electrical terms and multimeter features. However, using a multimeter to measure voltage is not the same as how you will use it to measure resistance or the current measurement. Each measurement has its specific settings.
Before proceeding with any measurements using your multimeter, ensure that you practice all necessary safety precautions to be on the safe side. Remember you are dealing with electricity which is something that can cost you your life if not properly handled. Look over the battery and ensure it has enough charge. Do not at any point measure resistance with the power on. Also do not conduct measurements above the meters rated voltage.
Another important thing is to ensure that you know the parts of the meter involved in measurements and the denotations. Familiarize yourself with the leads, the position of the function dial, the connection ports and the different readings for the three functions.
It is better to be safe than sorry.
Voltage refers to the electrical potential of a device – that’s the electric pressure in a circuit. Voltage is measured in volts with measurements denoted in V. Also, there are AC voltage and DC voltage where AC refers to alternating current with DC referring to direct current.
Voltage is measured using the voltmeter function. The first step is to switch the multimeter function to the volt setting denoted as ‘V’. Next, locate the test leads and connect them to the multimeter. There are two leads (red and black). Connect the red lead to the terminal labeled VΩ (red input terminal) while the black lead you connect to the common terminal labeled COM. The common terminal connection remains for both the amp and ohm measurements.
Once you have connected the leads correctly, you can now measure voltage. Attach the leads in the following order: the red lead to the terminal with higher potential and the black lead to the terminal with lower potential.
Resistance is measured in ohms and denoted as Ω. Resistance refers to the level to which an electric current is opposed through a conductor. To measure resistance, you will first need to disconnect the power and wiring of the circuit you intend to measure. This disconnection is to ensure that you are not exposed to electrical hazards or dangers.
Once this is done, turn the function dial to ohm (Ω) on the multimeter to provide ohms readings. Next connect the red lead to the terminal indicated VΩ and, once again, the black lead to the common terminal (COM). At this point, the screen should be displaying ‘OL’ (meaning overload). Now, to be able to measure the circuits resistance, connect both leads (red and black) to the specific circuit.
With this method, you will be able to get the ohms readings that indicate how much resistance is available in that circuit.
If you measure current, it means that you measure the flow of electricity charge in a circuit. Current measurement is given in amps. It can be very dangerous if attempted when an open circuit is above the rated voltage of the meter. The standard rating is 300mA.
To measure current, you should set the multimeter to the ammeter function labeled A. After this, you connect the test leads to the terminals in a slightly different manner from the ohms and volts measurements. For amp measurement, you connect the red lead to the terminal reading 300mA and the black lead to the common terminal (COM).
After correct connection of the leads to the multimeter, attach the meter to the circuit where you will have to break the circuit open and attach the multimeter in series between the open points to acquire amp readings.
With this simple guideline on how to use a multimeter, you should be able to achieve accurate readings and efficiency with your meter.
With a multimeter, you do not have to carry a separate ammeter, voltmeter and ohmmeter whenever you are going to work. You can perform all the above measurements with a single multimeter only with a difference in the settings.
Make work easier by adding a multimeter to your toolkit.
Are you wondering where you can buy a good and reliable multimeter?
This article focuses on providing options on where to buy a multimeter.
There are two obvious ways of getting the best multimeters: through online stores or local stores. Buying on the Internet is increasingly common.
Technology has taken over in most things, shopping included. It is clear that online shopping has become the most used mode of shopping today from clothing, accessories and foodstuffs through to automobiles, stationery, furniture and other tools.
Multimeters are just one of the many products that are found online. You stand a better chance of getting irresistible deals for multimeters online whether it is a digital or analog multimeter you’re looking for. Some of the online stores to check out for multimeters include eBay, Amazon and the manufacturers’ websites.
Navigating through online shopping websites is very easy as they are designed in a way that one command/action leads you to the other. First of all, you will look through the search engines like Google for available online stores or with a specific store in mind you just type in the name of the store – let’s say eBay. Google will give you results with links directing you to the eBay page.
From here, given that what you want to shop for is a multimeter, you will type in the keyword multimeter in the search bar usually at the top of the page. The site will provide you with a list of results consisting of all the available brands and models of multimeters in the store. Again, if you have a specific brand or model of the multimeter in mind that you are looking for, you can type that particular brand name like the keyword, and you will get results from which you can make a choice. With the list of results given, you can therefore make a comparison and choose the ideal one.
You can also buy multimeters from the local or physical store. This can be from electrical workshops, tool stores or general stores stocking multimeters. Buying from a local store is advantageous as you can feel the device itself and scrutinize it physically.
Besides, you can test the functionally of a device before making a purchase unlike in online stores where you only rely on information provided on the page. Furthermore, buying from a local store is necessary when time constraints are involved, that is when the immediacy of the multimeter is needed. Online stores usually give a period of delivery which can be days, weeks or even months.
In summary, the question of where to buy a multimeter should be based on how fast or soon you need it, budget and knowledge about multimeters and convenience.
Remember that buying a multimeter online requires that you have a valid payment method. The most commonly used payments methods are PayPal and credit cards. Some stores also provide alternative payments methods for customers.
So, where can you buy a multimeter? I believe the above explanations have given you a good idea where to start…