How to Use a Multimeter? A Complete Beginner’s Guide to DMM
In this educational, I will display you a way to use a multimeter. If you're new to electronics, then a multimeter is probably the very nice and most useful tool you can have. You do not want to very personal highly-priced device like oscilloscopes (at least even as you're truely starting out), due to the fact you could use a multimeter to check and degree smooth circuit parameters like voltage, cutting-edge, and resistance.
This educational is for beginners and could assist you get acquainted with a everyday virtual multimeter (DMM), give an reason for the outstanding components of a multimeter, a way to apply a multimeter to diploma voltage, modern-day, resistance and also to check the continuity.
What is a multimeter?
A multimeter, also referred to as a multitester, is an virtual measuring tool capable of measuring voltage, modern-day, and resistance. Hence the call "Multi" meter, as it combines the functionalities of voltmeter, ammeter and ohmmeter in a single device.
Basic multimeter
A basic multimeter with probes
It is a very crucial tool for electric and electronics engineers and is commonly the number one thing used while troubleshooting a circuit. Multimeters are to be had in unique shapes, sizes, and fees.
There are benchtop multimeters, hand held multimeters and "clamp meters" in terms of numerous sizes and styles. As for charge, primary multimeters start at just $5, whilst licensed and calibrated multimeters start at spherical $5,000.
Regardless of length or charge, each multimeter can diploma the most fundamental parameters like voltage and cutting-edge. In addition to this, "contemporary-day virtual multimeters (DMM)" assist you to degree resistance and additionally take a look at continuity.
With a multimeter, you can
Check whether or no longer the switch (or push button) is running well or now not.
It measures the amount of modern flowing through a device, which consist of an LED.
Measure the voltage of a battery.
Check whether or not the cable is electrically conductive or now not.
Parts of a multimeter
A primary multimeter includes four additives. They are:
To display
choice button
ports
probes
parts of a multimeter
Different additives of a multimeter
The measured price, whether or no longer voltage, present day or resistance, is displayed at the multimeter's LCD show screen. You can alter the parameter to be measured using the center preference button.
Some superior (and slightly high-priced) multimeters can automatically modify the variety of the measured value. These meters are known as autoranging multimeters. But in our fundamental meter, we must manually set the range.
Typically, every multimeter comes with more than one probes, one pink and one black. Plug the probes into the ports of the multimeter to take a length.
Multimeter-Probes
Always join the black probe to the COM port. The crimson probe is commonly connected to the port marked VΩmA. In this setup, you can degree AC and DC voltage, DC current in mA, and resistance, which most of the people will use a multimeter for.
Use the opposite port labeled 10ADC to degree DC modern up to 10A.
Ports of a multimeter
WARNING: The 10A port will generally be marked whether or not or not or not there may be an internal fuse. Be very careful while the use of this port and do now not use it for prolonged non-stop periods (no more than 10s).
Some multimeters consist of a backlight for the LCD show. This is beneficial if you are the usage of the multimeter in a poorly lit difficulty.
Multimeter-LCD-Backlight
LCD backlight on a multimeter
How to apply a multimeter?
Now that we have seen a piece approximately the multimeter and its components, allow's get to the precept subject matter, it is a manner to use a multimeter to troubleshoot our circuits. First, I'll display you the way to degree voltage the use of a multimeter. We will see the process for measuring each DC voltage and AC voltage.
We will then continue to diploma DC current by the use of constructing a small LED circuit. Finally, I'll show you the way to check for continuity. As an advantage, I'll moreover show you the way to check a diode using digital multimeters. So allow's start.
Measuring voltage
With a virtual multimeter, you may degree each DC and AC voltage. The voltmeter section of the multimeter is normally marked "V" and depending at the AC or DC length there may be more indicators.
DC voltage
If there's a without delay line adjoining to the "V", it's far used to diploma the voltage .