Multimeter testing
- Thread starter xirokx
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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.
Soldato
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just use the sound setting on the multimeter, (that dam high pitched beeeep)
and cheak for continuity in the 3 pins.
the sound will come on is the line is constant (working)
and cheak for continuity in the 3 pins.
the sound will come on is the line is constant (working)
His meter doesn't have that mode.
Ok, so it works.
Take you kettle lead.
Put the red probe on one of the pins
Put the black probe in one of the holes (probably wise to put it in the one that you think is the corresponding one (i.e middle pin - middle hole))
Check reading
If still at 1 then try a different hole
if you try all the holes and none make the reading change then either the cable is broken or you really can't get the hang of using your multimeter.
if one of the holes makes the display change to 0 the repeat process for other 2 pins.
If all 3 pins have a connection to one and ONLY one hole then the cable is working fine.
Take you kettle lead.
Put the red probe on one of the pins
Put the black probe in one of the holes (probably wise to put it in the one that you think is the corresponding one (i.e middle pin - middle hole))
Check reading
If still at 1 then try a different hole
if you try all the holes and none make the reading change then either the cable is broken or you really can't get the hang of using your multimeter.
if one of the holes makes the display change to 0 the repeat process for other 2 pins.
If all 3 pins have a connection to one and ONLY one hole then the cable is working fine.
The brick in the middle of the laptop charger has a transformer and other electronics in it which means its not a case of simply having a connection from one end to the other. To test a laptop charger you would have to plug it in to the mains. Read the bottom of the brick to find out the output voltage, set the multimeter to the correct setting (it will go out of range if not (or not work completely if you select AC)). You would put one probe on the outside casing of the jack on the end of the cable and the other inside it. The meter should then give you a reading of the output voltage of the charger. If this is the same as the one written on the charger then all is well (Within reason).
Don't do that - test L and N. If its working the multimeter will read between 230 - 250V
The top middle pin is earth which will cause a L/E fault or N/E fault and trip your RCD at the mains if you have one or blow the fuse in the plug.
Read up before you test mate - you'll blow the meter if its on the wrong setting.
Be careful when testing through laptop chargers - incorrect testing can damage them.
Agreed
Plenty via Google: http://www.electronics-radio.com/articles/test-methods/index.php
Last edited:
Erm no.... I never said have the lead plugged in, nothing will blow and there is no danger in testing an unconnected piece of wire.
Very sorry for trying to be helpful and safety conscious
If you had read the whole thread properly you would have seen that we had already established that the cable should not be plugged in.
Permabanned
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No offence mate but unless your qualified or competent with electrics then you really shouldn't be testing mains voltage.
As stated do a continuity test of all the lines (CPC, Phase & Neutral) with the lead unplugged but that said you can easily do this with a AA battery and an LED, no need for a MM to do this really
As stated do a continuity test of all the lines (CPC, Phase & Neutral) with the lead unplugged but that said you can easily do this with a AA battery and an LED, no need for a MM to do this really
Soldato
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He should be fine tho as long as he doesn't have the IEC lead plugged into the mains.No offence mate but unless your qualified or competent with electrics then you really shouldn't be testing mains voltage.
As stated do a continuity test of all the lines (CPC, Phase & Neutral) with the lead unplugged but that said you can easily do this with a AA battery and an LED, no need for a MM to do this really
Hows things now you're in the Whitehouse? 
Still no reason to be rude. There is nothing wrong with testing mains voltage with the proper tools and knowledge, the latter of which the OP freely admits to not having.
As an electrician, I was merely seeking to keep the OP safe, without getting into insulation resistance tests etc.
When some of the advice listed here discusses "Poking probes in one of the holes" etc, it can be concering to someone who knows the dangers.
Plug the Black Lead into the COM (bottom)socket on the Meter
Plug the Red Lead into the VΩmA (middle) socket on the Meter
Select the Ω setting 200 the meter should read 1. (open circuit)
Touch the Leads together & the meter should read 00.0 (or close to it) (short circuit)
This is a continuity test, for checking fuses, leads etc in all cases UNPLUGGED
This site for the basics
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1053275.html
Check out the comments/links
Plug the Red Lead into the VΩmA (middle) socket on the Meter
Select the Ω setting 200 the meter should read 1. (open circuit)
Touch the Leads together & the meter should read 00.0 (or close to it) (short circuit)
This is a continuity test, for checking fuses, leads etc in all cases UNPLUGGED
This site for the basics
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1053275.html
Check out the comments/links