How to Use a Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter to Check Voltage

You may need to measure voltage passing through a circuit but not know how or where to begin. We have put together this article to guide you on using a Cen-Tech digital multimeter to check voltage.

You can use a digital multimeter to check voltage through these simple and easy steps.

1. Ensure Safety First.
2. Rotate the selector to AC or DC voltage.
3. Plug the probes.
4. Check the voltage.
5. Take your reading.

Digital Multimeter Components 

A multimeter is a device for measuring multiple electrical effects. These properties can include voltage, resistance, and current. It is mostly used by technicians and repair service guys when doing their work.

Most digital multimeters come with several parts that are important to know. Some parts of digital multimeters include the following.

• LCD Screens. This is where the readings of the multimeter will be displayed. It normally reads several figures. Most multimeters today have an illuminated screen for better display in darkness and insufficient light situations.
• Dial Knob. This is where you set the multimeter to measure a certain quantity or property. It is divided into several parts with a wide variety of options. This will depend on what you are measuring.
• Jacks. These are four holes in the multimeter’s lower part. Depending on what you are measuring and the type of input you have as a source, you can put the probes into whatever position suits you.
• Probes. You connect these two black and red wires to the multimeter. These two will assist you in measuring the electrical property that you are doing. They assist in connecting the multimeter to the circuit you want to measure.

Multimeters are generally grouped according to the number of counts and digits they display on the screen. Most multimeters display 20,000 counts.

Counts are used to describe how fine a multimeter can make measurements. These are the ones most preferred by technicians since they can measure a small change in the system they are connected to.

For example, with a 20,000-count multimeter, it is possible to notice a change of 1mV on the tested signal. A multimeter is preferred due to several reasons. These reasons include the following:

• They give accurate readings and thus can be relied on.
• They are relatively cheap to buy.
• They measure more than one electrical component and are thus flexible.
• A multimeter is lightweight and easily portable from one place to another.
• Multimeters can measure large outputs without getting damaged.

Basics of Using a Multimeter 

To use a multimeter, you must first know what property you want to measure.

Voltage and Current Measurement

To measure the AC voltage, rotate the selection knob to the 750 mark in the AC section.

Then, plug the red lead probe into the jack marked VΩmA and the black lead probe into the jack input labeled COM.  Then, you can place the ends of the two lead probes on the cables of the circuit you will test.

To measure DC voltage in a circuit, plug the black lead probe into the jack input marked COM and the red lead probe into the jack input marked VΩmA. Turn the dial to the 1000 mark in the DC voltage section. To measure a reading, place the ends of the two lead probes on the wires of the component you are testing.

This is how you can measure voltage using the Cen-Tech digital multimeter. To measure the current of a circuit using the multimeter, plug the red lead probe into the 10ADC jack input and plug the black lead probe into the COM jack input. Next, turn the selection knob to the 10 Amperes mark. Touch the ends of the two lead probes on the cables of the circuit you are checking. Record the reading of the current on the display screen.

It is important to note that different multimeters can function differently. Please consult the manufacturer’s manual to check how it works. This avoids any damage to the multimeter and the chances of giving false readings.

Using a Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter to Check Voltage

You can use this digital multimeter to measure the voltage passing through the circuit of a component.

You can do this through 5 easy and simple steps, which I will explain below. They include:

1. Safety. Before connecting the digital multimeter to the circuit you are measuring, ensure the selection knob is in the right position. This will reduce the chances of overloading the meter. You must also check the circuits’ connections and the power source to reduce injuries to yourself.

You can also ensure the circuit has not been tampered with by anybody and is in good working order.

Check the two lead probes and ensure they are not damaged. Do not use a multimeter with damaged lead probes. Replace them first.

2. Rotate the Selector Knob to AC or DC Voltage. Depending on the type of voltage you want to measure, you will need to turn the selection knob to the desired position.
3. Plug the Probes. For the DC voltage, plug the red lead probe into the VΩmA and the black lead probe into the common (COM) input jacks. After this, turn the selection knob to the 1000 mark in the Dc voltage segment (DCV). You will then be able to measure direct voltage in a circuit.

For the AC voltage, plug the red lead probe in the input jack labeled VΩmA while the black lead probe into the common (COM) input jack. The selection knob will have to be turned to the 750 mark in the AC voltage position (ACV).

4. Check Voltage. To measure the voltage, touch the ends of the two lead probes to the exposed parts of the circuit you are testing.

If the voltage you are testing is too small for the setting you have chosen, you can shift the position of the selection knob. This increases the accuracy of the multimeter when taking the reading. This will help you to get the right results.

5. You take your Reading. To get the reading of the voltage you are measuring, you just read from the display screen found at the top of the multimeter. This is where all your readings will be displayed.

For most multimeters, the display screen is an LCD which gives a clearer display hence better and easier to use. (1)

Digital Cen-Tech Multimeter Features

The features of a Cen-Tech digital multimeter do not vary widely from that of a normal multimeter. These features include:

1. Selection Knob. You can use this wheel to select which function you want and the general sensitivity of the multimeter.
2. Ports for Banana Head Probes. These are found at the bottom of the multimeter horizontally. They are marked from top to bottom.

• 10ADC
• VΩmA
• COM

3. A Pair of Lead Probes. These probes are the ones that you insert in the three jack inputs. The red probe is generally considered to be the positive connection in the multimeter connection. The black lead probe is considered the negative connection in the multimeter circuit.

There are different kinds of lead probes depending on the multimeter you buy. These are grouped according to the type of end they have. They include:

• Banana to Tweezers. These are useful if you want to measure surface-mounted devices.
• Banana to Alligator Clips. These types of probes are useful for measuring properties on large wires. They are also great for measuring pins found on breadboards. They are handy since you do not have to hold them in place while you are testing for a particular component.
• Banana to IC Hook. These work well with integrated Circuits (ICs). This is because they easily attach to the legs of the ICs.
• Banana to Test Probes. These are the cheapest to replace once they break and are found with most multimeters.

4. Fuse Protection. These protect the multimeter from the excessive current that might flow through it. This offers the most basic protection. (2)

Wrapping Up

A Cen-Tech digital multimeter is what you need right now to measure any voltage or current. The Cen-Tech digital multimeter saves time and will help you to measure voltage drops swiftly. I hope this article on how to use a Cen-Tech digital multimeter to check voltage will be helpful to you. Here’s a good guide for testing the voltage of a live wire.

References
(1) LCD – https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/LCD-liquid-crystal-display
(2) basic protection – https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Basic-Protection-Scheme_fig1_320755688