How to Use a Multimeter

Рет қаралды 1,850,767

Күн бұрын

This video will show you how to use a multimeter to measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity. This is a beginner's guide aimed at students and electronics hobbyists who need to make basic measurements using an entry-level multimeter. For additional details, see the written tutorial on our website: sbgo.org/how-to-use-a-multimeter
0:00 intro
0:54 multimeter probes
1:23 multimeter labels
2:00 multimeter ports
2:42 measuring batteries
6:06 measuring voltage
8:05 measuring current
11:46 measuring resistance
14:08 continuity check
16:33 advanced features
If you are new to electronics, you may also find our breadboard tutorial helpful: • How to Use a Breadboard
How to replace a multimeter fuse: • How to Replace a Multi...
Science Buddies also hosts a library of instructions for over 1,000 hands-on science projects, lesson plans, and fun activities for K-12 parents, students, and teachers! Visit us at www.sciencebuddies.org to learn more.
#multimeter #circuit #STEM #sciencebuddies
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Пікірлер: 235

@craighellberg4366 9 ай бұрын

This video is EXACTLY what I needed. I have the same multi meter. I was able to measure the continuity on all my dryer parts, ruling them out as the problem. I saved myself $235. Thank you so much!

@Science.Buddies 9 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

@sleepysideways 10 күн бұрын

I watched this video for the same reason to diagnose my dryer. Thank you for a great tutorial!

@rtoguidver3651 Жыл бұрын

Straightforward to the point, no nonsense, the way it should be !

@noahmcdarby5417 Жыл бұрын

This is the best Multimeter tutorial so far. This covered all of the questions the other tutorials left out

@LittleMopeHead Жыл бұрын

I agree. I have that exact multimeter, except the brand is CEN-TECH instead of the DT830L. It doesn't beep, but gives the number on the continuity test.

@faxmen09 Жыл бұрын

@@LittleMopeHead Yep, got three of them. 2 were free, first one think I paid $2-3. Worth that.

@michaelhewesproductions737 Жыл бұрын

I was following along with my new multimeter and a battery, and I so nearly connected it before your warning about frying the fuse on Amp mode! Very glad I found your video, it was a bit daunting in length, but man, it was clear, and densely packed with everything I needed to know. Many thanks.

@YourFriendlyGApilot Жыл бұрын

Another excellent explanation, clear and to the point! thank you

@michaelmurphy858 Жыл бұрын

Excellent Instructional video! Thank you for doing what you do which is lend support to hobbyists, tinkerers, students and future engineers and other STEM fields. What you do is infinitely valuable. On a more specific note your video covered everything and was easy to understand. Viewers can always watch at 1.25 or 1.5 speed if they like but I thought your pace was just right for this material especially considering it’s target audience are mostly beginners and novices. Please keep it up. 😀

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Thanks! If you found this video helpful then you might also find our breadboard tutorial video useful: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bL2CmKmcy9i5eZ8.html

@theartscollective2487 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks---very clear and concise tutorial!

@th1545 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I back probed my window switch and it started working again. Loose wire! Great content

@tomkolour3947 2 жыл бұрын

The best I've viewed very well explained without all the showmanship I've seen on others, thank you

@justaname7361 Жыл бұрын

Solid approach. Thorough, concise and clear, and professional. You instruct like the Green Berets. That's saying a lot if you know how they roll up poorly equipped and untrained foreign nationals and turn them into skilled tactical combatants in relatively little time...amongst other battlefield roles.

@janbill79 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic tutorial instruction on working all the settings on a multimeter. this was the video I've been looking for, as all the symbols sometimes goof me up.Now I know how to find the right setting and correct positioning of knob hands down no doubt about it. thank you

@anhhuynguyen4969 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much man, your explanation is crystal clear and easy to follow!

@PawOfRizzo 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very easy to follow. I've used a multimeter to test ohms and continuity on cables, and for voltage checks. I've not had to test current on a circuit before, so that is good to see. I also have the thin, needle point probes for use on breadboards, but the wire and alligator clip method is definitely useful when you need a continous connection. Thanks for the vid!

@paulnavara7127 Жыл бұрын

This was great! Perfect starting course for using multimeters.

@SteveH-TN Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your video and knowledge. I’m a retired Systems Engineer first studied Electronics in Lane Tech High School Chicago in 1964/65. Hold an Extra Amateur Radio license a bit of Electronic theory and practical hands on experience involved 🤓 Currently in process of designing and building HO & S scale modular railway. Appreciate your time and efforts.

@Loudes012 Жыл бұрын

Very clear. Other videos are confusing. Starting to catch on to understanding circuits.

@fazoodle7972 8 ай бұрын

Getting back into electric field service. Interview tomorrow! Great refresher, thank you so much 🙏

@stevefranklin9920 2 жыл бұрын

I sure appreciate your video, it certainly helped me find out how to check the resistance on my mower clutch! Thanks!

@kenlamb5697 Жыл бұрын

Excellent tutorial. This video is the best I have seen for a novice.

@jubileeharrison7466 Жыл бұрын

Thank you mate I learn slot from your video..

@terry_willis 2 жыл бұрын

One of the better explanatory videos you will see. Very clear.

@michaelpage7691 11 ай бұрын

I know this is 4 years ago but it’s very well explained. Thanks.👏😁🇦🇺

@leiana.... 11 ай бұрын

Are you giving caie physics p3 exam too?? 😭

@Nick-xx2xz 7 ай бұрын

That's so helpful! Thank you for sharing!

@squinja7000 Жыл бұрын

Excellent basic tutorial. Now I can finally use my free harbor frieght multimeter that's been sitting on the shelf for over a decade! My cheapo one doesn't have the beeping continuity feature :p

@donk.johnson7346 7 ай бұрын

The best video yet on this product!!

@hectormata449 Жыл бұрын

Although I learned how to use the multimeter years ago, the tiny written instructions that came with the meter were very confusing and caused me much trepidation in using it. This beginner’s child like approach to learning the use and function of a multimeter is the way to teach and that leaves no ambiguity on the various testing operations on the meter. For the already know it alls, like me, we can still just wiz through it and use it as a quick review less something was missing in my previous knowledge of multimeters. Thank you so much.

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

We're glad you found the video helpful!

@HyruleJedi Жыл бұрын

This was extremely well explained!

@Jellied_Slime_Games 6 ай бұрын

Ty man, I'm trying to learn electrical for automotive and this makes no sense to me, you're making so much more sense

@pbergonzi 8 ай бұрын

Since in the "can measure the voltage across any one of those components individually" diagram, the pair of batteries show one battery with + top and one with + bottom, I think it would lessen ambiguity to label the container with a + and -, else switch the direction of the one + down battery such that the + is up top with the other battery.

@graemebowyer4901 Жыл бұрын

Great, enjoyed it. I have a MM but other than testing the alternator on my tractor, I had no knowledge of what else it could be used for. Until now, that is. Thank you.

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Glad we could help!

@vishalsathiaseelan679 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. The video is very helpful.

@CaliforniaBushman Жыл бұрын

I'm building out a 200 - 600 watt off grid solar system on my KZfaq Vanlife van. Re learning my 12th grade physics, amps x volts = watts, circuts, parallel/series, components, etc. I remember breifly soldering wires when I was 11. But, never even owned a multimeter. I just bought a cheap one and would have blown a fuse. Now I wan't to buy a breadboard, resistors, and LED's and geek out with all of this stuff, and test everything in sight using E=IR formulas like I'm a German kid from Frankfurt. My power windows went down in the van, so I need to isolate that problem, and dive into it all to get hands on & figure it out. Look foward to it! Very, very well explained here. Subscribed.

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Thanks! If you are going to buy a breadboard, you may find out breadboard tutorial video helpful: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bL2CmKmcy9i5eZ8.html

@TobbeVijlto 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks för a very informative and instructive video. För me as a novice it was easy to follow because of you pedegogic and easily understandable way of explaining.

@NeillWylie Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this wonderful video. I've been studying electrical theory for a year but haven't done any practical. I got a little multimeter and this video was a great introduction. I used a little nose hair trimmer to experiment on and this video made using the meter very easy to understand.

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Glad we could help! If you found this video useful you may also enjoy the breadboard video on our channel.

@shaneneal6284 Жыл бұрын

Good video. Clear speech and concise information.

@carollhebert3706 5 ай бұрын

You are very gifted in knowing how to teach

@ezyjack826 Жыл бұрын

very good video and just what I was looking for. really like the way you presented the subject matter. ty

@dannyreiter3613 Жыл бұрын

This is excellent! Just what I was looking for.

@LoneWolf-wp9dn Жыл бұрын

OMG... i learned so much in this... as opposed to a lot of other info dumps on this subject i tried before that had no heads or tails

@321-sleep 10 ай бұрын

I DO A LOT OF AUTOMOTIVE WORK IN MY FREETIME BECAUSE I REALLY ENJOY IT, BUT I USUALLY AVOID ELECTRICAL STUFF BECAUSE IT WAS INTIMIDATING. THIS VIDEO WAS CLEAR AND BASIC ENOUGH THAT I FEEL LIKE I LEARNED ENOUGH TO TACKLE SOME OF THAT STUFF WITH CONFIDENCE.

@titideshalles8814 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. It was very helpful.

@dave.willard Жыл бұрын

The first thing you should always do before taking a measurement with a meter is to verify it is working properly. For low voltage situations, simply measure a battery to confirm the meter sees the voltage. For a house wiring system, go to a known working socket and measure the voltage. The purpose of this is to prevent a false negative measurement. Imagine that a test lead has a broken wire, or the internal fuse is blown on the meter. You could check a wall outlet to see if it is safe to work on and get a zero voltage measurement even if the outlet has voltage on it. This is a very dangerous situation. Even a low voltage situation is troublesome because you will waste time if you have a broken lead.

@saddamhossain4032 7 ай бұрын

Very helpful in practice

@mickihoelscher32 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much.. You're a great teacher.

@mertataman8154 Жыл бұрын

Hocam verdiğiniz ipucu gerçekten çok işime yaradı allah razı olsun lütfen bidaha yapmayın .

@arushisingh6967 Жыл бұрын

this video is so dan good! trust me you saved me as I have my high school practicals tomorrow and when my teacher taught me I was like what the actual heck but now imma kill itttttt

@perrybutler5970 Жыл бұрын

Great and very informative. Thank you for sharing. PB

@fact_feasts 5 ай бұрын

Very informative and easily understandable 👍👏

@vikas2510 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic tutorial for beginners.

@MrKbtor2 2 ай бұрын

This was well done and very helpful. Thanks!

@WACkZerden Жыл бұрын

Thank You for the abundance of information! decent intro to multimeter

@ykmutawa 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you brother

@nathan8472 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I got hired for Aerospace company who does telemetry. I’m engineering technician and rusty on multi meter and oscilloscope. You help. My popcorn went cold because I took good notes. I washed hands b4 note taking because I put hotsauce on my buttery popcorn.

@cameronjones9335 Жыл бұрын

Hey I have a interview for associate tech engineer coming up what kind of jobs do you do?

@richiejohnson Жыл бұрын

Spoken like a real left-brain type 😙 🍿

@clintpowell7441 Жыл бұрын

And remember he’s an aerospace engineer. Lol.

@jasonvaughan2886 10 ай бұрын

@@richiejohnson is that not most common?

@richiejohnson 10 ай бұрын

@@jasonvaughan2886 I was a little amused by the dual left brain functions. The engineering mind (which I do not have) places equal value on purity--- data and hygiene. The left brain is compulsion driven. The right brain has no discipline.

@sailawaybob Жыл бұрын

Great information thank you

@moslemasgari7388 Жыл бұрын

Perfect ❤️

@asvd20 8 ай бұрын

1 year in elettronic! Trying the outlet tonight!

@alaaageela1174 2 жыл бұрын

made learning easy and fun

@josephshulman4330 Жыл бұрын

Outstanding bravo 👏 !!!!!

@FrankBenlin 5 ай бұрын

Thank you, science buddy.

@cammacgregor9354 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video...thank you. And whew---I'm glad English is my first language

@tourotv4241 8 ай бұрын

Great video. Thanks

@ignite4888 26 күн бұрын

Thank you, so much for this! You've got a subscriber :)

@invincible.456 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot mate

@Gary1q2 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing i was kinda turned away by the length of the video, but it was very helpful THANKS!!

@markkoons7488 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Thank you. I have a cheap-o multimeter that reads only to something like 400 ma. I'm trying to sort out the wiring on a drill press with a good 10 A motor and a new switch. Unfortunately, the previous owner rewired with all red wires. When I plug in the machine I trip the 20A circuit breaker. My guess is that the machine's main switch or the work light is improperly hooked up. Can I jump a 9V battery to the plug and learn what's going on that way without frying the low-end Harbor Freight meter?

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Hi - one way to avoid frying the meter is to put a large resistor in series with one of the leads. For example if you put a 1 kilo-ohm resistor in series with the load that is powered by a 9V battery, then at most even if the load is short circuited you would get i = V / R = 9V / 1kOhm = 0.009A or 9mA. The drill press won't run with current that low but it would allow you to test wires if your meter does not have a continuity check feature.

@alfredolopez-bruce6199 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your demonstration. This sure does help. Now for the test, how do I check a circuit on a stereo amplifier? The cooling fan does work because I had it tested, yet it will not turn on once connected to the circuit board. Thanks again. Also, when checking this, is it with the amplifier plugged in or does it matter?

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Hi - unless you have more experience with electronics, we don't recommend tinkering with devices while they are plugged into a wall outlet, as they can have dangerously high voltages present inside. Unfortunately it's hard for us to help with debugging a specific piece of equipment in KZfaq comments, but there are other places online like Reddit or Stackexchange where you might be able to post pictures of the circuit and get help.

@guylaurent8138 Жыл бұрын

excellent lesson...

@magohi Жыл бұрын

Great video... Thank you!

@willielokie Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@kmjkj2 Жыл бұрын

Very useful thank you

@victorgoolsby3942 9 ай бұрын

Great video learned alot thanks

@bigtone5108 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for showing me this I fixed my dryer

@arthurt121 Жыл бұрын

thank you buddy have been schooled :)

@winterradicallds8353 11 ай бұрын

Great job on this video thank you

@zichragland8880 Жыл бұрын

Can you use this particular meter to measure body voltage? Thanks

@rushbook9208 8 ай бұрын

thank you sooo much really thanks mashallh 💖💖💖💖💖💖

@Tridentor Ай бұрын

thanks buddy. I bought a HFT multimeter but could not figure out how to use it.

@adaptable7836 Жыл бұрын

What’s the best multimeter for in 50 and under?

@Guytrains Ай бұрын

great information

@kg3474 Жыл бұрын

Great work

@Trd2020 Жыл бұрын

Finally a good video

@Janus5691 Жыл бұрын

Hi Ben. I have the same multimeter as you use in your video and have a question about the 1.5V and 9V setting near the top of the selector dial. I notice that the 1.5v has (4.0mA) in parentheses next to it and the 9v has (25mA) in parentheses next to it. I assumed this setting is measuring the amount of charge the battery has. So, I tested a small 9-volt battery on this setting and got a 21mA reading. So far so good. But when I measured the mA in the current section of the meter, I got a 680mA (.68A) reading. Why the difference? Do not both settings measure mA? Am I misunderstanding something? Looking forward to your reply. Thank you.

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Hi - we hadn't tested that specific setting and didn't include it in the video since not all multimeters have it. But, after testing it myself, I believe the value in parenthesis is the amount of current the multimeter will attempt to draw from the battery. So for example if you got 25mA from a 9V battery, the battery is still fairly "fresh." If you only got 21mA then the battery is not as new. The difference is that in the battery test mode, the multimeter is using some internal resistance to limit the amount of current drawn from the battery. When you set the multimeter to measure current, the internal resistance is (almost) zero, so you are effectively short-circuiting the battery and letting a very large amount of current flow. That can cause overheating and is not a realistic test condition, so the battery test function lets you test the battery with a more realistic load. I don't think I have any original paper manuals for my model DT830L, and after a quick search I can't find one online - this manual: www.all-sun.com/manual/Dt830_en.pdf is for the 830 series but doesn't list the 830L in the table of models. Section 9 on the battery test function says the display will show the battery's voltage, but it doesn't look like that's the case for this model (impossible for a 9V battery to be 25V, so it looks like it's showing the current). Hope that all makes sense.

@Janus5691 Жыл бұрын

@@Science.Buddies Thank you, Ben

@gradwellmadala2233 Жыл бұрын

Thankx I can now start testing

@davidblackburn8946 Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much.

@daviddefrees9883 Жыл бұрын

Nice video!

@cubednation 5 ай бұрын

Great video! :) thank you

@dr.saravananparamasivam7754 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic

@roberthealy8519 2 жыл бұрын

Very well done. TU.

@roberthealy8519 2 жыл бұрын

I guess my beeper went bad? Maybe I'm missing something? Maybe mine, though it looks like the same one, Doesn't Have a beeper?

@anz3786 Жыл бұрын

Thnx for the education

@calciumcammando5717 9 ай бұрын

very good video thank you

@Cla55clown Жыл бұрын

What's the measurement and symbol at the 2 o'clock position on the dial. It reads 1.5V with 9V underneath. Is that specifically for batteries?

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Yes, that is specifically for testing batteries. Not all multimeters have it so we did not cover its use in this video.

@allanbrogdon3078 Жыл бұрын

I have that meter it tough. I smoked it on 120 v ac fixed it and the wires connecting to the meter had to be fastened with tie wraps

@hiltos 4 жыл бұрын

If checking a car battery should you use the other red port?

@Science.Buddies 4 жыл бұрын

No - if you're checking a car battery, you are measuring the voltage, not current. Make sure you use the port with a "V" next to it.

@rexisretro Жыл бұрын

Good info

@garciasschevy 2 ай бұрын

I need some help to know how to use the tekpower digital multimeter looks like the red one you have on the video except this one is black

@Cdswjp Жыл бұрын

So... does this mean there 2 ways to test for continuity w/ that multimeter (via the DIODE setting & via the OMEGA setting)? I thought the DIODE setting was only for finding out whether a diode is working or not.

@Science.Buddies Жыл бұрын

Hi - yes, the diode setting is convenient because it beeps, so you do not have to look at the meter screen if you are busy looking at the circuit. Otherwise you could also use the resistance measurement setting and look at the screen.

@Cdswjp Жыл бұрын

@@Science.Buddies oh, ok.

@tomjeffersonwasright2288 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent explanation.

@chinaphonefixteam6300 Жыл бұрын

High-precision electrician measuring multimeter LCD screen for mobile phone maintenance: automatic digital display multimeter for mobile phone maintenance, universal AC and DC voltage diode resistance tester and electrician testing tools.