Topic: Help needed with multimeter use
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Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18564
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I want to be able to test if power is coming to a light fixture in my house.
So how would I set my multimeter to find out?
Which lead connections would I use?
What reading would I be expecting if power was present?
Which wires coming out of the wall do I need to touch with the leads?
Thanks!
Here is a picture of my meter:
So how would I set my multimeter to find out?
Which lead connections would I use?
What reading would I be expecting if power was present?
Which wires coming out of the wall do I need to touch with the leads?
Thanks!
Here is a picture of my meter:
-Adam Wartell
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Set the meter on the VAC. Black lead to the "Com" port, and red lead to the port to the right of the black one(where it says 600vmax/400ma max).
Doesn't matter which lead goes to which wire you're testing on an AC circuit...you'll get the same reading either way. Your wall outlets(or whatever) should have at least a white, and a black wire. You may have two whites, and a black, or maybe just two whites. The ground(if your circuit has one) is usually a solid copper wire with no insulation. You would want to check the two white wires, or the white and black wires.
On a household circuit, you could expect to see 110-120 vAC
Whatever you do, be careful!!!!
Adams' Apple 2009-06-15 19:34:41
Doesn't matter which lead goes to which wire you're testing on an AC circuit...you'll get the same reading either way. Your wall outlets(or whatever) should have at least a white, and a black wire. You may have two whites, and a black, or maybe just two whites. The ground(if your circuit has one) is usually a solid copper wire with no insulation. You would want to check the two white wires, or the white and black wires.
On a household circuit, you could expect to see 110-120 vAC
Whatever you do, be careful!!!!
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberMundelein, IL - USA
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[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] Set the meter on the VAC. Black lead to the "Com" port, and red lead to the port to the right of the black one(where it says 600vmax/400ma max).
Doesn't matter which lead goes to which wire you're testing on an AC circuit...you'll get the same reading either way. Your wall outlets(or whatever) should have at least a white, and a black wire. You may have two whites, and a black, or maybe just two whites. The ground(if your circuit has one) is usually a solid copper wire with no insulation. You would want to check the two white wires, or the white and black wires.
On a household circuit, you could expect to see 110-120 vAC
Whatever you do, be careful!!!!
[/QUOTE]
Doesn't matter which lead goes to which wire you're testing on an AC circuit...you'll get the same reading either way. Your wall outlets(or whatever) should have at least a white, and a black wire. You may have two whites, and a black, or maybe just two whites. The ground(if your circuit has one) is usually a solid copper wire with no insulation. You would want to check the two white wires, or the white and black wires.
On a household circuit, you could expect to see 110-120 vAC
Whatever you do, be careful!!!!
[/QUOTE]
Touching the live circuit wont kill ya at 120v but it will sting a little. Also remember with a light fixture one leg is the switchleg and wont have power unless the switch it on.
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