How To Use A Multimeter To Test Voltage

• Turn on your multimeter
• Turn your knob to select the DC setting.
• Plug in your black probe to the COM hole and your red probe to the V.
• Unlike AC, polarity matters while measuring DC voltage. If the probes are plugged in incorrectly into the electrical equipment you’re checking, the multimeter will display a negative value. Your red probe should always be plugged in on the positive, and the black probe should be on the negative.

Safety Tips

You will be dealing with electricity while using multimeters, so it’s important to take precautions and know what’s potentially dangerous while in use. There are several things to be wary about, even if you’re an experienced electrician.

• Check for physical damage on the multimeter, test probes, and accessories before you start measuring.
• Do a test run on a known voltage area. If there are false readings, you can know something is not functioning correctly.
• Make sure the test probes are not damaged. If damaged, throw them away. An electrical repair service cannot save them.
• Wear your protective gear – gloves, eyeglasses, headwear, etc.
• Have someone with you while doing the work. Having some company is nice in case something goes wrong.
• Avoid working in humid areas. Electricity is dangerous near water.

Choose Carefully