Multimeters can test electrical circuits to locate problems or check a circuit to ascertain the voltage and amperes. A digital multimeter is considered more accurate than an analogue multimeter, as it uses its own battery power to operate. An analogue meter uses a little of the electricity in the circuit you’re testing. However, both meters can do various tests, including direct current amperes, or DCA, and are easy to read.
Turn on your multimeter. Set the dial on the front of the meter to measure direct current amperes; it usually has the letters DCA or ADC.
Insert the plug on the end of the black multimeter wire into the “COM” socket. Insert the plug on the end of the red multimeter wire into the milliamp, or "mA," socket.
Put the opposite end of the black wire from the meter onto the negative terminal of the electrical device you’re testing; it’s labeled “-.” Put the opposite end of the red wire from the meter onto the positive terminal of the device labeled “+.”
Look on the multimeter display. The display reads the DCA from the electrical device.
Writer Bio
Stephen Benham has been writing since 1999. His current articles appear on various websites. Benham has worked as an insurance research writer for Axco Services, producing reports in many countries. He has been an underwriting member at Lloyd's of London and a director of three companies. Benham has a diploma in business studies from South Essex College, U.K.
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