How to use a Multimeter to test common things around the house

[shockhelmet]

you sort of sound like Paul Giamatti.

[Invisiblepanda]

Love the videos just subbed, what would happen if you set to vac 20 and put your leads into the outlet? Why do you have to have it set more than the outlet? Just curious great video!

[Johnnysshop]

@Invisiblepanda Have to set it higher to get an actual reading. Since it's 110v, it has to be set higher than that.

[1ikon]

very gud demonstration..i did electronic in a college in tha caribbean and this is tha first time i actually learn how to use a multimeter

[Johnnysshop]

@1ikon Thanks, I really appreciate it!

[kurtnin42manson]

Hi, So I think the wiring in the house is all messed up.. sometimes, if I use the microwave, and I have... maybe a hair dryer on in the other room, the power goes off in like half of the house...so probably every outlet is wired to the same breaker? If I do the last test that you did, and it comes up less than 110-ish, does that mean that there are tons of other things in line with that plug? like.. if I have my laptop in another plug that also goes out in the chain, will it take away from 110?

[kurtnin42manson]

@kurtnin42manson if that makes any sense? like.. if i have other things plugged into the what i'm guessing is one wire just daisy chained around the whole apt, will i still get a 110 reading or will it be lower since i have other things plugged in, like a laptop or a tv

[Johnnysshop]

@kurtnin42manson You will get the same reading. It sounds like you make have too many outlets on one circuit. Older home I assume?

[kurtnin42manson]

@Johnnysshop yes, it was built in 1920, and the homeowner likes to dabble, so I think this could be why as well.

[Johnnysshop]

@kurtnin42manson Yeah, more than likely..

[EMS9Tech]

Very good introduction - very easy to understand - thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@EMS9Tech Thank you for watching!

[oraoonyi]

Hey,thanks for your demonstration on how to read currents,resistence and voltage.But I wonder how you read 1.62V while the indication on the Dry cell is 1.5V.The problem could be....1.The Multimeter has not been calibrated well so it has some hidden''dead" voltage...Or the companies indicated wrong voltage.In real situations,we expect a lower voltage as indicated on the battery or the exact voltage.........From Isaac Onyango Orao a Kenyan student at Texas State Technical College Marshall

[Johnnysshop]

@oraoonyi The companies are indicating the "average" voltage of the cells. Like in RC (before Lipos) you could buy Sub-C style cells that have a standard voltage of 1.5V but could find packs that were matched (picked among 1,000's of cells) that exceded 1.9v per cell. It's a chemical reaction so there is not way to regulate what the exact voltage will be once the cell is assembled.

[Adu767]

Porn in the related vids..

[Johnnysshop]

@Adu767 LMAO.. You're right. No clue where that came from. I don't have any tags related to porn. Crazy...

[elpilito1990]

Hi, I have a question to measure amps you have to peal of the cable? so you can only check the positive or ground?

[Johnnysshop]

@elpilito1990 Yes, you'd have to get to the bare wire. Correct.

[6489532ab]

@elpilito1990 praise Jesus

[jpgpearson]

I have a faulty rear light on a dynamo do I use ac or dc for testing the wire from the dynamo and the bulb is on a circuit board with a capacitor do I use ohms metering to test it thanks please help thankyou

[Johnnysshop]

@jpgpearson If you need to check voltage from the source you would use DC. If you need to check the resistance of the cap you would use ohms. If you need to check the integrity of the wiring for any breaks you would use continuity.

[TheSickboy774]

I have the same multimeter and watching someone that knows how to use it really makes me more confident with mine.Thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@TheSickboy774 Thanks I appreciate the feedback!

[envisionstudiotv]

straight to the point, clear voice, no jiberish, great vid. Now a question, recently one of our cameras connected to a video mixer burned the video cable and camera died :-( also on of the outputs from the video mixer blew, the mixer still works t has 2 more outputs. what test would you recomend as far a the wiring and the power supply so that i can make sure it's safe to reconect. thanx for your help.

[Johnnysshop]

@envisionstudiotv Thanks for watching! For the power you'd want to test the voltage (A/C), for the rca outputs you would probably want to also test the voltage (lower setting). I would test the working unit first to compare to the bad.

[ogranados28]

Very informational, thank you.

[Johnnysshop]

@ogranados28 Thanks for watching!

[EXPLOSIVEEGG]

Very helpful video. Thank you!

[Johnnysshop]

@EXPLOSIVEEGG Thanks for watching!

[Gilbrox1]

Excellent very helpful well done!!!!!

[Johnnysshop]

@Gilbrox1 Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

[jawdat23]

sorry how can we measure the current using a multimeter ... with out using clamp meter



[Johnnysshop]

@jawdat23 Current of what?

[MAIMPORT]

Please I need to know, if you buy battery from some 1 how can u tell if it is been used or brand new using an electric multimeter?

For example if some one sold me a battery he used it for 1 year already,

if I test it it will give me the same voltage & everything,

But

when I use it I will find out that it does not hold charge for more than couple of hours

So how can I test it since beginning if it has been consumed or not?

Very important

I would appreciate if you can help me out

Thanks a lot

[Johnnysshop]

@MAIMPORT No way to tell really how old it is. Best way is to get a new one to compare it to. Measure the voltage on a full charge, and then drain them both with the same load. If the battery is much older it will drain much faster. All batteries will be a bit different regardless.

[nephiwong]

Which hole is the positive in the receptical. ?

[oldspice4002]

@nephiwong

Are you referring to the 110vac wall outlet? If so, the small prong is the hot wire.  That is the live wire! The larger one is the neutral and the round one on the bottom is the ground. We use positive and negative for DC circuit.

[nephiwong]

@oldspice4002 Thanks for your feedback !

[Johnnysshop]

@nephiwong What oldspice said :)

[rakim1376]

very good video,like they said the video is too short but its execellent video...

[Johnnysshop]

@rakim1376 Thanks!

[KajsiabThoj]

i never get what ohms stands for... ;/ imma fail my science project for sure...

[Johnnysshop]

@KajsiabThoj Yeah, me either. LOL

[caboseisstupid]

@KajsiabThoj An Ohm is a measurement of electrical resistance. If you need other stuff like the origin of the name or the formulas and how it is measured send me a message.

[MrDirectlyME]

wow thanks for the info

[Johnnysshop]

@MrDirectlyME Thanks for watching!

[Films4You]

Remember it's 240-250 volts A.C. in the United Kingdom, so allow for this when setting

[Johnnysshop]

@Films4You True.

[ITRLOVER]

thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@ITRLOVER Thanks for watching

[bonehead1603]

@Johnnysshop YOU SAID THE MAGIC WORDS THAT THESE GUYS LEAVE OUT , ONCE THE MULTIMETER SOUND THAT MEAN THE WIRE IS GOOD . GOOD VIDEO BUT TOO SHORT

[Johnnysshop]

@bonehead1603 Thanks

[LaFiammaBiker]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@LaFiammaBiker Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

[Michiganborn1969]

Great video. I think this is the best one so far in helping to determine what kind of mulimeter I need to get to try to diagnoise the charging sysytem on my motorcycle. I'm an electricity dope and barely know how electricity works but this video helps a great deal.

[Johnnysshop]

@Michiganborn1969 Thanks!

[minitruckn247]

yeah i agree very good tutorial! 

[Johnnysshop]

@minitruckn247 Thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@wantaghb Hmm.. Sure the settings on the meter were correct? Odd..

[Joemontgomery70]

I would like to THANK YOU !! I'm presently enrolled in a 2yr. Industrial Maintenance Program @ Tennessee Tech. & I'll Graduate in Aug.,anyway I just started my Basic Electricity & Trouble Shooting Electricity class & your teaching methods in your tutorial videos have helped me tremendously.I thank you once again for taking your time to teach others,so keep up the good work & GOD BLESS!!!

[Johnnysshop]

@Joemontgomery70 Thanks for the wonderful comments!

[siamlawma]

thanks for the video..was wondering how multitester work and now i know it now..gonna buy one tomorrow

[Johnnysshop]

@siamlawma Cool, glad I could help!

[PhilGrey10]

Finally - someone talking about electricity that does it in a clear and concise manner. Nice job!

[Johnnysshop]

@PhilGrey10 Thanks, I appreciate it!

[daninelsen]

I need to check the contenuity on the wiring in my car. Can you run the positive (or negative) end of the terminal along the wiring with the wiring insulation to locate a break? I can't see any breaks, so I'm wondering if its inside it's wiring insulation.

Hopefully you know what I'm asking. I am a beginner and replaced my starter last weekend. And now the fuse for the stereo keeps blowing. I've followed the wiring from the fuse box and I can't see any breaks. Any help??

[Johnnysshop]

@daninelsen With a multimeter you will have to remove the insulation in order to check for a break. I believe they do make a meter that will test on the outside of the insulation but they are really pricey. I would make sure something is not grounded out first or run a temporary cable on the outside of the car to see if you get the same results from the new cable.

[daninelsen]

I need to check the contenuity on the wiring in my car. Can you run the positive (or negative) end of the terminal along the wiring with the wiring insulation to locate a break? I can't see any breaks, so I'm wondering if its inside it's wiring insulation.

Hopefully you know what I'm asking.

I am a beginner and replaced my starter last weekend. And now the fuse for the stereo keeps blowing. I've followed the wiring from the fuse box and I can't see any breaks. So any help?

[charlieparker1234]

Awesome video! Thanks. Keep up the good work w/the tutorials.

[dougieladd]

Finally. Someone who shows the meter close up. Thanks. Very informative.

[Johnnysshop]

@dougieladd Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

[Kinjosan1]

How do you know what to use on a multimeter, like DC or AC?

[Johnnysshop]

@Kinjosan1 It has settings for both. AC would be light socket, wall plate, etc... DC is like a battery or Direct current..

[eightof1975]

great video! very informative! now i know how to use my multimeter. i have batteries laying around and will check them if they are still good. what is a 'bad' reading for a AA battery? in other words, when is it ok to discard AA batteries?

[Johnnysshop]

@eightof1975 Thanks! It kinda depends on what you're using it for but a good guess would be around 1.2 volts or so. Some devices may even work with that little voltage though..

[miguelvelarde10]

very good tutorial!!!!1 now i know how to use multimeter thanks!!!

[Johnnysshop]

@miguelvelarde10 Glad I could help!

[Johnnysshop]

@pramodkhatal1 Doesn't really matter.

[evikzzz]

Tanx!!

[Johnnysshop]

@evikzzz Thanks for watching!

[Johnnysshop]

@Oppland29 Thanks for watching, I appreciate the feedback.

[Fernito69]

Very good tutorial indeed. Direct to the point.

[Johnnysshop]

@Fernito69 Thanks!

[pramodkhatal1]

@Johnnysshop

dear johnny,

Nice tutorials on how to use a multimeter. I want to know that how we know that which is +ve & which is -ve side on switch while checking AC voltage? suppose we interchange the +ve side with -ve, then what will happen?

[jimmy40290]

I am trying to locate a problem in another room. I was remodeling and somehow wires go crossed and boom, half my house is dead. I traced the dead wires to an outlet in another outlet in another room then tried testing the outlet. There was a big pop and a spark, then the end of my probe melted. What did I do wrong?

[Johnnysshop]

@jimmy40290 Yikes... Sounds like you probably touched 2 hot leads together to me.

[slapzmartini]

Good Video.....well done congratulations I learned a lot in 5 minutes. Good Luck

[Johnnysshop]

@slapzmartini Thanks, I appreciate the feedback and glad I could help a Youtuber!

[Bucyruserie28W]

GO Buckeyes 

[chrilla1980]

Hmm some people say that you never should put a multimeter in a wall outlet.....are they talking about cheaper ones or can you do it with all kinds of multimeter models that are out there?

And BTW here in sweden we run on 220-230volts but it´s no biggie.

[Johnnysshop]

@chrilla1980 Haven't heard that one, no other way to get true voltage at the outlet really. We also run 220-230 in certain applications.

[chrilla1980]

@Johnnysshop Yeah...i don´t actually think that they even know what they are talking about or else i must have missed something,but personally i haven´t had any problems with my multimeters yet so far :)

[ccmtor]

@chrilla1980 Cheap meters don't have high voltage isolation slots on the board, or fuse protections. the leads can be crappy too. If you get a meter make sure it's cat-iii rated. as long as the meter is of good quality you can stick it in the socket without problems. also even though you use 240 volt power in Sweden the power factor is the same as a 120 volt socket. Power =Volts x Current (W=EI)

[chrilla1980]

@ccmtor Yepp i´ve already been looking into that since my last comment and as i wrote it´s not really a "biggie" between the 120volt VS our voltage but thanks anyways for the info ;)

[EstebanCRC]

Great vid men tks!!! Can you explain why in some units there is 3 or 4 plugs and only 2 cables? thanks again!

[Johnnysshop]

@EstebanCRC Different settings. For instance this one has a 10a socket you can use as a failpoint so it doesn't destroy the meter..

[middleview1]

@Johnnysshop I am desperately trying find my way around my multi meter....but am a complete electruical virgin...in this GREAT video you test a 9V battery....getting a reading of 1.6 V and then pronouncing this battery as a 'real good battery?'?? How comeit is not 9V? To me 1.6 v has very little left in it ? Hope I am not being too obtuse....please keep the basic lessons going .

[rbrisita]

@middleview1 The battery he tested is a 1.5v battery. The 9v that you mentioned was just said in passing of what you can also test.

[middleview1]

AVIDPUBS- I am desperately trying find my way around my multi meter....but am a complete electruical virgin...in this GREAT video you test a 9V battery....getting a reading of 1.6 V and then pronouncing this battery as a 'real good battery?'?? How comeit is not 9V? To me 1.6 v has very little left in it ? Hope I am not being too obtuse....please keep the basic lessons going .

[laurajdahl]

What is the BEST cheapest (most economical and most accurate) Multimeter/OHM reader?

[Johnnysshop]

@laurajdahl Probably one of the Ideals like the one here. Some of the models with less features are around $59. Fluke is the best but they start at around 300

[riccaps]

thanks for the post....very informative..do more please:)

[Johnnysshop]

@riccaps Thanks and will do!

[MariaTeacher]

Mine also has the socket and says max 10A...Now, if I wanted to check a 20 or 30A fuse how can I do that???

[Johnnysshop]

@MariaTeacher To check a fuse you need to use ohm's. The 30a on the fuse just refers to it "fail" point.

[MariaTeacher]

@Johnnysshop Thanks for the reply, totally didn't know that ;)

So, why some multimeters have a 10A socket and others (usually more expensive) have an 20A socket? Reason I'm asking is 'cause I just bought a Draper digital multimeter with the 10A socket and thinking of returning it to buy one with a 20A socket...

[Johnnysshop]

@MariaTeacher The more expensive models are more accurate and in your case, have the higher capacity 20a. If it's not much more, I would get it!

[GordpRecords713]

Can you get shocked testing an Electric Stove? Or do i have to turn everything off at the breaker box?

[urc26]

Thanks. Helpful video.

[Johnnysshop]

@urc26 Thanks, I appreciate the comments!

[StealthNinjaX2]

hi, when would you plug into the 10A socket? what is that for, thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@StealthNinjaX2 Used for measure current. Basically higher current with less chance of blowing the meter or a fuse.

[petexxx]

Great job, thanks a lot for explaining the basics!

[Johnnysshop]

@petexxx Thanks!

[N4tti1ntampa]

Awesome video after watching this I think I am going to use my multimeter a whole lot more.

[Johnnysshop]

@N4tti1ntampa Thanks! I use it as much as possible myself!

[Johnnysshop]

@danny09411 Thanks!

[Ebdan88]

Thank You for this Video Bro....:-)

[Johnnysshop]

@Ebdan88 Thanks for watching, hope I helped!

[toffeeman23]

i'm a gas engineer trying to learn how to use a multi meter for testing if power is running to components such as fans, pumps, gas valves, circuit boards etc. is it simply a matter of putting a probe onto the connections and looking for reading. I'm assuming i'd select AC to test on?

[Johnnysshop]

@toffeeman23 Depends on if you are testing AC or DC components. More than likely you will be using AC

[jab15552]

I just watched two plonkers try and explain how to use a multimeter to no avail. I found this video and he explained it half the time. Keep up the good work!

[Johnnysshop]

@jab15552 Thanks, I appreciate the positive feedback. I try to be as thorough as possible!

[nikijitu]

Is it safe to test 230v with those pointy probes?

[Johnnysshop]

@nikijitu Yes

[ENZEEVIDS]

@nikijitu no!!!

[donniebrasco24]

how do you check ohms of resistance on car spark plug wires? thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@donniebrasco24 I'll try to make a vid in the next fews days. Basically set the meter on ohms, then the corresponding sub-value, then connect a connector at each end.

[donniebrasco24]

@Johnnysshop thanks im sure a video covering this would be very popular among car guys, thanks...

[Arjun007ize]

NIce vedio dud,Subscribed, we're hoping more vedios.Thanks.

[Johnnysshop]

@Arjun007ize Thanks, should be some more soon!

[sini8080]

Thanks for this, unlike some other multimeter tutorials on youtube, you actually showed the meter.

[Johnnysshop]

@sini8080 Thanks, I try to show as much info as possible. Sometimes the vids aren't real creative but I try!

[510jesus]

@sini8080 agreed, took me quite a while to find a decent video.

[ved2503]

thanks dear johnny ,good to learn ,u made this easy to understand ...keep new thing posted...thanks .....himanshu

[Johnnysshop]

@ved2503 Thanks for watching!

[urupiratas]

thanks john! one more here who learned something today!

[Johnnysshop]

@urupiratas Sweet, glad I could help!

[kneenong999]

thanks for this tutorial john, i learned something today...

[Johnnysshop]

@kneenong999 Thank you for watching. I try to learn something new everyday!

[P3ngyy]

Thanks very much for taking the time to do this!

[Johnnysshop]

@P3ngyy You're welcome!

[Charrister]

You sound like Ray from Ghostbusters!!

Great video though thanks! :)

[Johnnysshop]

@Charrister LOL. Thanks!

[teleqnet]

thanks for this I actually learned something, I am buying a multimeter this week. I am such a noob to this and I was always told not to stick my fingers or butter knifes in the wall socket, so i never understood how you can stick a multi meter in there lol please explain to me how you are able to do that and without being shocked? and how do you know what side is negative and positive? is it standard knowledge? thank you very much.

[Johnnysshop]

@teleqnet Knives and whatnot do not have plastic handles :). The plastic keeps you from getting zapped. Really not a negative, there is a hot, ground and neutral. If you get them mixed up the meter will just read negative or zero depending on the meter.

[puddking]

Great video. Simple and informative. No wasting time with fluff talk.

[Johnnysshop]

@puddking Thanks! Sometimes I ramble on though... LOL

[YaBuddyC]

Very good video. Appreciate you breaking down the different sections of the meter, what they stand for and what they do. More importantly, you performed common examples and showed the instrument being used with each example. This concise little video should stop anyone from being intimidated with using a multimeter.

[Johnnysshop]

@YaBuddyC Thanks, I really appreciate the positive feedback.

[srfeger]

Nice video. It's great that there are people out there like you who show the basics of things like this. I bought a multimeter to test for potential electrical problems in my car. It's a great tool.

[Johnnysshop]

@srfeger Thanks I appreciate the feedback.

[drumurr2008]

does a speaker need to be hooked up to an amp to check the ohms

[Johnnysshop]

I'm not patient enough for that. LOL

[ils360]

do more videos on how to use one of thease =D 5*****

[Johnnysshop]

Will do. Thanks! I've been watching your latest mower vids. Good stuff!

[ils360]

thanks =)