How to use a multimeter

Basic Multimeter usage

So you think you need a multimeter. You are probably right! A multimeter is a device that has multiple meters in it. The first thing you should reach for is the Cen-Tech digital multimeter. These are pretty inexpensive from harbor freight, sometimes free with the right coupon. There is a big yellow switch in the middle of the meter.

If you are using the meter it should be switched to on, if you are not using the meter is should be switched to off.

I know your thinking, "well of course, who wouldn't switch it off when they are done". But the next time your using it, you get home and realize. You did the thing.

So switch it on and if there is numbers on the display then it probably works. If you pick it up, and it's switched on and there are no numbers on the front, Someone else did the thing, don't use that meter.

In the middle is a big ol dial. if you don't see it, turn it over and try the other side. Should be the side with the display. One end of that dial has a lil divot in it. That's your indicator, that's what it is pointing at. take that divot and turn it straight down. Should point at 200. That there is a resistance measurement. If there ain't no wires plugged into the holes in the meter, Plug a red one in VOhmmA (middle hole) and a black one in the bottom hole. Touch the ends together, should read close to zero. if it doesn't try a different wire sets. Those wiresets with the plug on one end and the metal spike on the other are called test leads. That's what you use to poke around stuff with.

Let's talk about the upper right side of the meter. dat dere is the VOLTS section it's going to give you the voltage of the red wire, compared to the black wire.