The multimeter

The multimeter

also known as Multimeter or Tester, it is the

device that allows to carry out
different measurements of electrical variables such as
as resistance, current and voltage, continuity,
etc. It is called a multimeter because it includes
basically an ammeter, a voltmeter and a
Ohmmeter, Multimeters can be analog if
they present the information using a needle about
a circular or digital scale if they present the
numerical information on a display, for
the rest of its operation is the same.

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 The multimeter

Multimeter Connections

The multimeter has several types of connections depending on

what is to be measured. It also has a remote control
rotary selector to choose the range or scale of values.
To connect the two measuring tips Red and Black
we have several connectors: The black tip always
connect to the COM connection however the red tip
it can be plugged into one of the other connectors in
function of what is to be measured:

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The multimeter

In the connection VΩ we will connect the red probe to measure voltages or

resistances.
In the connection, we will connect to measure current in milliamperes.
In the connection 20A, (according to the device this connection can have a
lower or higher value), we will connect to measure current in Amperes.

In general, for measuring voltages or resistances, the multimeter must

connect in parallel with the load to be measured, while in currents,
the multimeter should be placed in series. As a general rule, there is always
that starts to measure by setting the scale selector within a range
higher than that of the component to be measured. If we do not know the value to be measured
we will set the selector to the maximum value and after the first reading
we will adjust the selector to the nearest higher value to the reading for
achieve greater accuracy. With resistors, however, it is often
do it in reverse, starting with small values and increasing
until achieving the highest accuracy.

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 The multimeter

HOW TO MEASURE VOLTAGE (V)

AC voltages and DC voltages can be measured. The multimeter has scales for both.
voltage classes. The probes must be connected to COM with the black probe and to VΩ with the red probe.

Alternating Current:

To measure voltage in alternating current (symbol Vac, Vca or

We select the scale of 200 volts AC (V~) for 110.
volts, or the 500 volts AC (V~) scale for 220 volts.
next, we insert the two test probes into the socket
current to measure (regardless of polarity) and we read the value in
screen.

Caution: If the 110 scale is not selected correctly

Running on 220 Vac risks damaging the multimeter. Furthermore
You must take all possible precautions while driving.
tensions of this magnitude to prevent accidents.

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The multimeter

Direct Current:

To measure voltage in direct current (symbol Vcc)

We select the 20-volt scale.
DC(V=)multimeter, we connect the leads to the
battery terminals or direct current conductor,
the red tip to the positive and the black tip to the negative.
We read the value on the multimeter's display. If
we connect the ends backwards it's fine, just
that the reading will appear with a negative sign
it means that the red tip was connected to the negative
and the black tip to the positive, contrary to the usual.
This also allows us to identify the poles if we do not
we know.

JAHU
The multimeter

Direct Current:

To measure voltage in direct current (symbol Vcc

we select the scale of 20 volts
DC(V=) multimeter, we connect the probes to the
battery terminals or direct current conductor,
the red tip to positive and the black tip to negative.
We read the value on the multimeter screen. If
we connect the ends the other way, it's fine, just
that the reading will appear with a negative sign
it means that the red tip was connected to the negative
and the black tip to the positive, contrary to what is normal.
It also allows us to identify the poles if not them
we know.

JAHU
 The multimeter

HOW TO MEASURE CURRENTS (A)

Amperes of direct currents and alternating currents can be measured. For current consumption
altos conectaremos la punta roja en el conector de 20A pero para consumos inferiores a 1A la
we will connect to the milliampere (mA) connector. The black probe always goes in COM. To measure
We must connect the multimeter in series with the load to be measured.

Direct Current: to measure consumption of

current in DC (A=) of the car battery,
disconnect the positive terminal of the battery,
select the 20 amp scale in the
multimeter connecting the red probe to the
multimeter connection marked with 20A (according to
the multimeter can have other values) and
connect the red tip to the positive terminal of the
battery and the black tip to the loose terminal. We will read,
on the display, the value of the car's consumption
en Amperios.
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 The multimeter

Alternating Current: to measure current

alternaCAse must select the scale
adequate(A~). The measurement of alternating current
it can be achieved by placing a diode in series,
between the multimeter and the device to be measured, for
transform in this way, the alternating current
in direct current and follow the same steps
of measurement cited before.

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 The multimeter

HOW TO MEASURE OR CHECK RESISTANCES (Ω)

To measure or check a resistance, first

we will place the black probe in COM and the red one in (VΩ)
then we set the multimeter to the scale of
ohms Ω closest to the value of the resistance. If not
we know the approximate value of the resistance
we will place the selector at the lowest value and when
let's start measuring we will raise the slider until
find the highest reading accuracy on the display.
We connect the two ends; regardless of the
polarity, on each terminal of the resistor and the
The multimeter should display the value of that resistance.
If the multimeter reads infinite (value 1), it indicates that the
the range is either too small or too large to measure that
resistance so we need to change the scale. Yes
zero (0), the resistance is short and therefore
so damaged.
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The multimeter

HOW MEASURE CONTINUITY

There are multimeters that have a specific position in the

selector of the scale to measure continuity with the
diode symbol, and even some, in that position,
a sound alarm works in case there is
continuity. If our device does not have this position,
we will select the two hundred ohm scale in the
multimeter.

To know if a conductor, circuit track or cable for

ejemplo. está interrumpido o no, colocamos las puntas del
multimeter to each of the cable tips, it doesn't matter
the polarity. If the cable is good, we will read zero (0) on the
display a value close to zero ohms or we will listen
the beep if our multimeter has it. If the cable
it is broken, a 1 will be read which indicates very high resistance
the infinite, meaning it does not conduct current so the cable
is interrupted.
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 The multimeter

What is a clamp meter?

The clamp meter is a fundamental tool.

for electricians or electrical maintenance personnel.
It is an electrical tester that combines a meter of
clamp type current meter with other functions such as voltmeter,
ohmmeter, capacitance meter, etc. Lately the evolution of
this instrument has reached the digital era, being obtained
greater precision and safety in the measurements. By similarity
we could say that acurrent clampit is a
multimeter with basic features plus the feature
added a current transformer integrated in the
clamp type product.

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 The multimeter

How do clamp ammeters work

It's not very complicated to understand and as you have seen

to use. Inside the pliers or tweezers is found
a metal shell of ferrite. This is what it measures
magnetic field of the current flowing through
of a driver.
A current transformer detects the
fluctuations in the magnetic field and converts the
value in an AC reading, which appears in the
screen. The clamp meters are excellent
for high AC currents, which makes them a
ideal tool to have around. Especially if
Are you an electrician, mechanic, or electronic repair technician?
of consumption.

JAHU