Multimeter Tutorial: How to Measure AC Voltage

TUT059
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

Step 1: Choose any active alternating current socket.

Note: Make sure that the socket is not turned ON.

Step 2: Turn the multimeter knob to the ACV or AC Voltage section:
To ensure safe operation make sure that the knob is pointing to 400V before connecting the probe to the plug.
Also make sure that the red probe is connected to the ‘V’ and the black probe to the COM as shown in the image
given below:
Step 3:Insert the testing probes into the socket.
Polarity is not an issue in AC.
Step 4: TURN ON THE POWER SUPPLY.
Step 5 :Power ON the Multimeter.
Step 6: Turn ON the AC supply.
The multimeter will display the AC voltage which is in the specified range of 220-240V, indicating the AC supply to be
working normally.
 How to Measure AC
Voltage using Multimeter
Multimeter Tutorial: How to test Continuity
TUT060
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

Continuity Test is a method to check current flow across any metallic path. Through this test, any unwanted circuit
breaks or shorted connections can be put to verification. Continuity can be tested between any two circuit
connections.
Apparatus: Multimeter, connecting probes, circuit board.
Step 1: Take the circuit board of which you want to test the continuity.
Step 2: Map the traced tracks and corresponding electronic components soldered on them.

 
Step 3: Turn the knob on the multimeter towards the continuity section
Step 4: Testing leads should be connected to the multimeter in the same manner as shown in the image below.
Different multimeters have different location of continuity section. In this model it’s on 400 ohm.
Step 5:Select the metallic path of which you want to check the continuity and place one testing lead at the starting
terminal and another at the other.
Step 8: After placing the leads on their position the multimeter will produce a continuous beep sound indicating that
track is continuous and there is no breakage in the track.
Multimeter Tutorial: How to Measure DC Voltage and
Current
TUT061
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

Image above shows a simple circuit that glows an LED when connected to power supply.. Connecting LED directly to
the power supply will damage it, hence aresistance of suitable value must be connected in series for its proper
operation. Following the standard color convention,red wire serves as the positive connection lead while black one is
the common or negative lead. In this tutorial, we will be measuring DC voltage and current in the circuit.
How to Measure Voltage using Multimeter
9V DC supply is used to power the circuit. The LED will glow as soon as we connect the wires to the power source.
Make sure that all the connections are tight. If the LED doesn’t glow after connecting the supply, then check the
connection and the LED.
Step 1:Connect the testing leads to the multimeter.
Step 2: Turn the knob to the DV voltage segment in the multimeter at 40DCV.
Step 3:Connect the probes in the circuit according to the polarity.
 How to Measure Voltage using Multimeter
Step 4:  Power on the Multimeter.
Step 5: Note down the reading.
The multimeter will show the voltage across the circuit. For example the voltage across this circuit is 6.84V
How to Measure Current using Multimeter:
Multimeter has different procedure for measuring current. Current can be measured in the range ofmilliamperes
(400mA max.) to Ampere (10A max.) as shown in the above image.
Multimeter works like an ammeter when ammeter.
Step1: Turn the knob on the DCA section.
Step2:Choose the current rating. The meter will display current in both rating.
Step3: Connect the testing leads to the current measurement setting.
Step4: Turn ON the multimeter.
Step 5: The multimeter will display the current in the circuit shown as shown in the image below.
 How to Measure Current using Multimeter
As shown, 0.4 mA of current flows into the ciruit.
Multimeter Tutorial: How to Test and Measure
Resistance
TUT063
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

Step 1: How to Use Multimeter

As its name suggests, a multimeter measures various circuit parameters such as resistance, voltage, current, and
capacitance. More precision over multimeter readings can be achieved by using a digital output.Measurements of
different ranges are marked on the DMM. These are the maximum values of measurementsup to which they can
display.
a)      Power ON the DMM.
{C}b)      {C}From the resistance color coding we framed out the theoretical value of resistance.
c)      Turn the knob to the ? or ohm section.
Step 2:Connecting Test Leads

Following the standard color convention for leads,red colored lead is connected to the positive terminal of the
multimeter and Black to the ground or COM terminal.
Step 3:Creating connections
Crocodile teeth testing lead is added as an extension to the original leads.
Since polarity is not an issue with resistors, the connected leads can be connected in any random manner. The
output would be the same in every case.
Step 4:How to Measure Resistance using Multimeter
How to Measure Resistance using Multimeter
Digital Multimeter shows the reading 3.257 K ohm which is approximately same as the one suggested by the color
coding of the resistor. Defective resistance will show reading below then its tolerance.

If we fix the knob at the value less than the resistance then the multimeter will show some error, in this case it shows
OL which means over range.
Multimeter Tutorial: How to Test a Transistor
TUT064
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

This tutorial will detail with testing PNP and NPN configured transistors using a multimeter. After reading this, you will
be able to find out configuration of the device as well as find out its collector, emitter and base.

 Step 1:Transistor Function on Multimeter.

 If the model number is not known, it is impossible to detail about the  type of transistor just by looking at it. To ease
the process, multimeters come with a function where one can calculateH FE or small signal Forward Current Gain of a
bipolar transistor.
Apart, from detailing with the forward gain value, the HFE function solves two problems.
{C}{C}1.      {C}{C}Type of the transistor can be found.
{C}{C}2.      {C}{C}Collector, Base, Emitter terminals can also be known.
 Step 2:Checking Transistor
    a)      Testing an  NPN Transistor.
·Place the three legs of the Transistor first in the E-B-C formation. The multimeter will show the reading if this
formation is correct, else it will show over range.
 · I
f the previous method doesn’t work, place the three legs of the Transistor in the B-C-E formation. If multimeter shows
reading then it’s correct. The reading is nothing but thr HFE of that transistor.
{C}     
        b)   Testing  PNP Transistor.
· Place the three legs of the transistor in the same manner as discussed above. 

· After placing the transistor in the correct formation, multimeter would show the HFEvalue of the transistor.
 How to Test a
Transistor using Multimeter
Multimeter Tutorial: How to Test LED
TUT062
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

Step 1: Understanding the component

Light emitting diode (LED)is a small component used in almost every electronic device. Led has 2 terminals or legs.
The bigger leg is the anode or positive terminal and shorter leg is cathode or negative terminal.
But this method of identifying the leads will not always work. Consider the case in which the legs of the LEDs are
already cut into same lengthfor using in a circuit. Even in such cases the following method works.
Just take a close look at the geometry of a standard 5mm LED.
The one side is rounded shape and the other side has been made a little straighter (right hand side drawing in the
image). The leg in the straight side is always negative and the leg in the rounded side is always positive.
Step 2: Digital Multimeter
Set the digital multimeter on the continuity mode. If you touch the testing leads to each other the multimeter will give a
continuous beep sound. The beep sound means that the multimeter is working perfectly.
 How to Test an LED using Multimeter
In the above multimeter, the knob is turned to the continuity mode which is at 400 ohm section. Testing leads should
be plugged into the multimeter as shown in the above image.
Step 3:LED Connections
Crocodile teeth testing lead is added as an extension to the original leads of the multimeter.
Crocodile probes are connected to the LED terminal according to their polarity. Longer leg is connected to the
positive supply and shorter to negative (grounded).
 Step 4:Checking the continuity
{Ca)      Power ON the multimeter
{Cb)     Set the knob on the continuity mode.
c)      LED will glow indicating that it is in working condition
d)       If the LED doesn’t glows then check the connections else the LED is faulty.
Multimeter Tutorial: How to Test a Diode
TUT065
Written By: 
 Vaibhav Jain

Step 1: Understanding Diode

Diode has two terminals Anode (+) and Cathode (-). Terminals can be identified by the shaded portion at the end of
the diode. Terminal near the shaded portion is Cathode (-) and other one is anode (+).
Diode can be tested with the help of Diode function of the multimeter
Step 2: DMM Connection
       ·Power ON the multimeter
       ·Turn the knob towards the “Diode Function”
       ·The Digital Meter will show no reading as there are no terminals connected.
Step 3:Testing Leads Connection
       ·Connect the leads in forward biasing i.e. Positive to the Anode and Negative to the Cathode.
       ·Connections should be tight and neat
       ·After connecting note down the reading.
 How to Test
a Diode using Multimeter
The multimeter will show theforward voltage drop between the two testing leads.