Multimeter testing

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:26

Hi Guys,

How do you use a multimeter to test if a mains power cable from main socket to back of pc is working ?

Please help

Thanks

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:30

im trying to learn how to use a multimeter

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:39

so are you saying it is possible to check the power cord using a multimeter?

if yes, I dont know where to touch the red and black probe..

obvisiously the cable needs to be plugged in...

can you use a multimeter to check if a laptop power adaptor is working??

if yes, where do I touch the red and black probe..

it cant be difficult surely..

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:40

manual is gibberish tbh cant find one online..

It should be a case of putting it on the "check connection" setting, touching the probes to the right place

bingo...but where?

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:47

so the actual cable shouldnt be plugged in?

be it a laptop charger or a pc power cable

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:51

what setting should the multimeter be on?

I have tried it with a mobile phone charger and laptop charger but cant get the meter to give a reading despite knowing both cables work..

surely its not rocket science..

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 16:55

here it is exactly

I need to know where to touch the red and black probe and what setting the meter should be on?

thanks

I got it to work on a AA battery and a canon battery

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 17:02

i dont get it...

5.25 on the meter, what setting is that? 10a, HFE, or a side ways triangle???

what color probe should I use to touch the part that enters the mobile phone? which color should I touch the plug with?

pls clarify..

I appreciate its this / that test but I am a total noob so please spell it out for me..

thanks

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 17:07

it wont work?? the mobile phone charger is disconnected from the mains btw, is that right?

why is this complicated lol...

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 17:13

when I put the meter on a sideways triangle a 1 automatically appears on the Lefthandside of the meter..

I did what you said above and still do not get a reading from this laptop charger..

please help

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 17:21

The one indicates infinite resistance i.e no connection between the two terminals. If you place one probe on one end of a wire and one on the other the 1 will change to approx 0 (depends on the resistance of the wire) this means there is a connection between the probes, i.e your wire is working.

it just doesnt wanna work...hmmmmmmmmm

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 17:26

red is in the middle and black is in the bottom..

yes when both probes are touched together the multimeter shows 0

xirokx · 10 Nov 2008 at 17:38

cool that works..

but why doesnt the same test work for a laptop charger?

thanks for your help