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Multimeter Tutorial: How to Measure DC Voltage and Current

Written By: 

Vaibhav Jain

LED Circuit

 

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

DC Voltage Measurement

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.

Circuit DC Current Testing

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 MultimeterHow 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 Probes

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.

Current Continuity

Multimeter works like an ammeter when ammeter.

Multimeter probes to measure current

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 MultimeterHow to Measure Current using Multimeter

As shown, 0.4 mA of current flows into the ciruit.

Comments

Thanks for the write up. Very well documented.

You did not show connection being in series

Well said

Can we measure ac and DC with a single tester

Very useful thanks

what the fucking easy things people are explaining

Well saaaaid

Can i shock the house into allowing me to replace ObamaCare?

how can check remaining current in DC battery.

I am Dr. K.Padma Prasad, Assstant Proofessor, PG Physics Department, JSS College, Ooty Road, Mysore.

We hare usign mutimeters for the nmeasurement of Volatage and Current of electronic Devices. Presently the Multimeters are not measuring the current but only the voltage. Kindly suggest the procedure to check the Current measurement using the multi meter. Thank you.

 

 

Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this moreover taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article but what can I say I procrastinate alot and not at all seem to get something done.

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