multimeter care - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Lalit · 29th June 2003, 06:49 PM

hi all,
someone plz give me some multimeter maintenance tips for a long lasting service.Also mention some do's and dont's (if any) while using a multimeter.
regards,
Lalit :roll:

Phasor · 29th June 2003, 10:11 PM

Multimeters require very little maintenance, other than replacing the batteries every few years, and checking the calibration occasionally.

Quote:

do's and dont's (if any)

DON'T put it across a voltage, whilst measuring current.
DON'T try to measure the resistance of a component whilst it has voltage on it
DO pat it on the head and give it words of praise when it gives you the correct results

daviddoria · 30th June 2003, 12:39 AM

i think i have done these "no no's" a few times... how do you tell if you've damaged it? will it completely stop working? or will readings just be wrong?

Klaus · 30th June 2003, 05:46 AM

You did not tell us if you are talking about a digital or an analog multimeter.
The digital ones are getting quite common nowadays but here's another no no for analog meters: do not reverse the probes to get the pointer to slam the wrong way - it does not like that :cry:

To check your meter just test something you know, for example, a new good 9V battery has about 9.6V, if your meter reads way different its faulty.
Do the same with a known resistor in the Ohm range. If both these measurements were good you can check the current range with the battery , the resistor and the meter in series. You have to use Ohm's law to calculate the expected current first.

If voltage and Ohm work but no current then its likely the fuse in the meter has gone, replace it after confirming with the ohm range it is indeed open circuit. Use only an exact replacement fuse - it is there to protect your meter.

Digital meters either work correctly or not at all in my experience. Only in the Ohm range you may get funny readings if your probes have a poor connection somewhere, that is easily checked by shorting them (0 ohm reading or very close to it).

Klaus

Dean Huster · 30th June 2003, 10:04 PM

Batteries are relatively inexpensive. Replace the batteries in ANY multimeter at least once a year whether they're dead (flat) or not. Even the highest-quality batteries can surprise you with an emission of chemical that will nearly ruin a meter.

Dean

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29th June 2003, 06:49 PM	(permalink)
Lalit	multimeter care hi all, someone plz give me some multimeter maintenance tips for a long lasting service.Also mention some do's and dont's (if any) while using a multimeter. regards, Lalit :roll:

30th June 2003, 12:39 AM	(permalink)
daviddoria	i think i have done these "no no's" a few times... how do you tell if you've damaged it? will it completely stop working? or will readings just be wrong? __________________ thanks, david

30th June 2003, 05:46 AM	(permalink)
Klaus	You did not tell us if you are talking about a digital or an analog multimeter. The digital ones are getting quite common nowadays but here's another no no for analog meters: do not reverse the probes to get the pointer to slam the wrong way - it does not like that :cry: To check your meter just test something you know, for example, a new good 9V battery has about 9.6V, if your meter reads way different its faulty. Do the same with a known resistor in the Ohm range. If both these measurements were good you can check the current range with the battery , the resistor and the meter in series. You have to use Ohm's law to calculate the expected current first. If voltage and Ohm work but no current then its likely the fuse in the meter has gone, replace it after confirming with the ohm range it is indeed open circuit. Use only an exact replacement fuse - it is there to protect your meter. Digital meters either work correctly or not at all in my experience. Only in the Ohm range you may get funny readings if your probes have a poor connection somewhere, that is easily checked by shorting them (0 ohm reading or very close to it). Klaus

30th June 2003, 10:04 PM	(permalink)
Dean Huster	Batteries Batteries are relatively inexpensive. Replace the batteries in ANY multimeter at least once a year whether they're dead (flat) or not. Even the highest-quality batteries can surprise you with an emission of chemical that will nearly ruin a meter. Dean __________________ Dean Huster, Electronics Curmudgeon Contributing Editor emeritus, "Q & A", of the former "Poptronics" magazine (formerly "Popular Electronics" and "Electronics Now" magazines). R.I.P.