Questions tagged [multimeter]
The multimeter tag has no usage guidance.
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Did I troubleshoot this 3-way socket correctly?
I'm trying to troubleshoot a floor lamp with a 3-way switch. Right now, it turns on/off only when I turn the knob. That is, it acts like a regular switch. For some reason, one "half" of ...
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Will using the 10A port on meter to test transformer cause it to pop?
I was testing the transformer in my furnace across the COM and 120V terminals when it popped, sparked, and left a burn mark on the COM terminal. Could it be because this nucklehead had the positive ...
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determining if my multimeter is functioning correctly
Am using a multimeter to check some circuits. All the breakers show a 1 or .9 at the hot terminal to ground, which i assume means 100 volts, 90 volts. Everything is working correctly. I checked at ...
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How do I test for voltage drop?
I have a Tesla that I'm plugging in at work (NEMA 5-20 outlet) and my EV says I'm getting between 107-109 volts. NEMA 5-15 adapter registers 12 amps, and the NEMA 5-20 adapter, which should be 16 amps,...
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why does my multimeter show continuity (but no resistance) when not connected to anything?
Why does my multimeter show continuity (but no resistance) when not connected to anything?
Continuity is detected!
But no resistance is detected at 200 ohms.
Or 2 million ohms.
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Can I use a multi-function "clamp" meter to measure resistance? [closed]
Please note: Although this question mentions car maintenance, its really about how to use a clamp meter. I just happen to be wanting to use this meter to measure fuel injector resistance on my vehicle....
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How to replace bearings on a multimeter knob? [closed]
Multimeter Specs:
Brand: Mastech
Model: 830L
Type: Digital/Manual
I'm based out of India where we've just come out of the rainy part of summer into autumn. The knob on this device was very rough - ...
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Diagnosing lamp electrical issues: 3-socket floor lamp has resistance for each socket, but no power
I am trying to fix this floor lamp
It is a standing floor lamp with 3 bulbs and a rotating switch that has 3 positions: 1 bulb on, 2 bulbs on, 3 bulbs on, or off
A couple of weeks ago I saw a spark ...
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3
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Is it safe to test electrical bonding of natural gas pipes with a multimeter resistance test?
I would assume the currents and voltages produced by a consumer grade multimeter (testing electrical resistance) would not be large enough to produce any danger of natural gas combustion. But I was ...
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Why are hot legs to neutral of a 240 volt circuit reading different values?
I bought a new dryer today and upon plugging it in it wouldn't turn on. I tested the wires on the terminal block with a multimeter and one of the hot legs to the neutral wire reads 240 volts and the ...
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Analog Multimeter Won't Zero Ohm Scale
Multimeter ohm scale won't zer0. Analog GB Instruments GMT-312 on OHM setting with leads touching and needle stays offscale way right to <0. Tried Ohm zero-adjust dial, new battery. Also, V reads ...
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Is it possible to dangerously short a U.S. power outlet with multimeter probe?
I was recently told that the common 120V electric receptacles (non-GFCI) found in North American homes can be extremely dangerous to measure using a multimeter. FYI, this came up while I was checking ...
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86 volts between neutral and the electrical box?
Context: I'm swapping out a dual electrical outlet in my kitchen with a combination switch/electrical outlet. I want the switch to control two small LED lights in adding to the room and the outlet to ...
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How do I test voltage without a ground/confirm a good circuit?
For context, I recently moved (into a very old home) and I have a series of recessed lights operating on a single switch. All but one light fine... what I assume is the last in the series does not. ...
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Can a multimeter be used to detect if an appliance's body has voltage on it?
I have installed a ceiling light myself (there is no ground wire in the light unit).
I want to confirm that electricity is not flowing through the unit and it is safe to touch the unit. Can I use a ...
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Test Thermostat with Multimeter without 'C' Wire
I'm hoping to replace my thermostat with an Arduino-powered one of my own. The furnace is a Trane XV90 Upflow 2-stage condensing gas-fired one with upgraded inducer motor using Trane Furnace Kit ...
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How to make a panel mounted voltmeter/ammeter in my main panel up to code?
I have already submitted a permit for and received approval to add a 50 amp inlet to my home for a portable generator. It will be 4-4-4-6 to an interlocked 50 amp breaker on my main panel. I'd like to ...
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Unable to measure table lamp AC amps using clamp meter
I decided to get the clamp meter in the image. And it say AC Current:60A/600A/1000A
What does " AC Current:60A/600A/1000A" mean ? It only has one option for Amps AC.
I was doing some ...
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Non contact voltage sensor shows voltage a foot away from live wire
I'm evaluating a situation in a home I recently moved into.
A previous owner did some DIY and installed a switch in the wall of our kitchen pantry. The pantry is made of wood and the switch is housed ...
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Switch wiring - strange multimeter readings
I'm about to replace a dimmer switch in my house (UK - Single Phase) and every wire in the backbox is red, while I've tested and identified each (live in, live out, neutral in, neutral out, neutral to ...
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Measuring AC Voltage Behind Light Switch
This is more of a theoretical question and not something I'm needing to do.
I understand the following, please correct me if I'm wrong;
Multimeter only measures the potential difference so
To measure ...
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Diagnosing appliance that shocked me
I have a portable air compressor (Master Airbrush MAS TC-40T) I use frequently, usually for airbrush painting. Normally the compressor sits on a counter, and I do not touch it while it's running ...
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Clamp DC current measurements with AmazonCommercial 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter
Please see the UPDATE section below! The question still stands (with new info).
I don't feel the need to open a new one, but let me know if you think otherwise.
Is AmazonCommercial 600A AC/DC Clamp ...
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Why don't I read voltage on a disconnected heating circuit?
I am trying to replace a broken in-wall electric heater. I wanted to confirm if the heater voltage that I am purchasing is the right one, so I got a multimeter and set it at 200V/500V (AC (V with ...
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Receptacle upstream from GFCI with an issue causing GFCI to trip?
I'm not sure what to do next, and I'm fairly inexperienced with troubleshooting home electrical issues. My investigation started with the GFCI receptacle on the kitchen counter receptacles tripping ...
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How to verify that resistive load thermostat is dead
I have an electric heater, connected to a resistive load thermostat (240V). Yesterday we found the thermostat apparently totally dead (display off, etc). I've checked the breaker, of course. (There is ...
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Tried repairing a broken lamp and it's weirdly dim - high resistance in wire?
Neighbours threw out a gorgeous lamp, which had broken by the socket becoming disconnected from the wires. My housemate brought it home, and I tried rewiring it. Following an internet tutorial, I ...
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Can I check the wattage / amps of a pair of light fixtures using a multimeter
I need to test the wattage / amps of two light fixtures on a single circuit. I'm having issues with a smart dimmer and I'm trying to figure out if the amps / wattage exceeds the limits of the dimmer.
...
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Can NCV tester show presence of Knob & Tube wiring?
I live in a century house whose electrical was last worked on in the 1960s at the latest. Without opening a wall, I’d like to make some deductions about the odds of having in-service knob and tube ...
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Hot to Neutral at the outlet only reading 112V
I am trying to troubleshoot an issue. All outlets downstream from my GFCI will not work when I plug anything in. with my DMM I pulled the GFCI from the wall and measured voltage into the GFCI from ...
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Why do different meters show different voltages between hot and ground?
I am measuring voltage between hot and ground wires on a light box.
Why does one voltmeter show 4 volts. And another shows 0 volts?
How many volts should there be between these two wires?
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Which terminal to use on my multimeter
I have read the manual for my new multimeter but unsure which (red) terminal to use for what. The meter has one VΩmA fused 500 mA max terminal and one Unfused 10A Max terminal. I just want to measure ...
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Why do I read no voltage with my humidistat's solenoid is installed?
I've been troubleshooting my humidifier for a bit now (just learning this stuff as I go). It would appear the wiring for the furnace (apparently the transformer) meets the wiring for the humidistat ...
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How to test voltage on open wire with multimeter?
If I have an open wire and a multimeter -- is there a way to check whether there is current and what voltage it is if the wire is not connected to anything, i.e. doesn't have another wire or an ...
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Why do I measure 12VAC on old thermostat wires?
I'm installing a nest thermostat in my house - it's the UK version with a heatlink. I have successfully wired the heat link into my combi-boiler, disconnecting two existing wires in the process.
I ...
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detect whether something is metal by touching it
I am doing things to my walls and can't tell whether I have pierced an electrical cable. My AC wire detecting studfinder seems unreliable.
I have tried continuity tests via my multimeter between ...
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Troubleshooting Clamp Meter
I have a Mastech digital clamp meter and I can't for the life of me get it to display any reading other than 0. I was wondering if there are any tricks I'm simply not aware of?
Here is what I have ...
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How to measure voltage AC using multi-meter
In the process of looking at why my doorbell is not working, I used a multi-meter to check Voltage AC. (I am very basic at electricals though).
How would you check the voltage AC on a wire? Where ...
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How can I test a household LED light bulb?
Something is wrong with my GU10 base LED light bulb or with the light fixture but I don't know what's at fault. The fixture/bulb doesn't work and has never worked (new install). The fixture was ...
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What happens if I use the DC Voltage setting on an AC line? What about the reverse?
I have a run of those low voltage lighting systems in the hallway. The kind that have a two parallel exposed wires, with fixtures that clamp on in various spots on the wires and then take an MR16 bulb....
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Is there any reason testing the neutral line on a dimmer light socket wouldn't work?
I am repairing a vintage lamp and replacing the socket with a dimmer socket.
When I do a continuity test on the old socket, both the hot and neutral lines work. That is, they make a high-pitch noise ...
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DIY AC Line Splitter
As a fresh DIY-er (just moved into my own house), I've purchased a digital clamp multimeter.
Learned the hard way that in order to utilize the clamp to measure current, the supply line needs to be ...
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How can I measure the voltage of 40A transformer?
I need to power 10 meters of 5V LED strip, for which I bought a 40A transformer on AliExpress.
Now, as much as I believe that cheap stuff bought from China can be okay quality, I'd like to make sure ...
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NCV meter beeping over large area of a wall
I use non contact voltage tester function of Uni-t ut210e for detecting main wires under/in walls. It worked pretty well until yesterday.
The wall is made of bricks/mortar and some metal profiles (as ...
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Analog multimeter won't calibrate to zero
I have a multimeter that I haven't used in many years. I wanted to recalibrate it, so I touched the two probes and tried to adjust the reading to zero, but 500 ohms was as low as it would go. Is the ...
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How can I test a three-way switch to determine if it's working?
I have a light fixture in my house that suddenly stopped working. I tried replacing the lightbulb and still non luck so I decided to try and see if it was the three way light switch itself using a ...
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