Waring: when you are using continuity tester on the DMM, TURN OFF THE POWER OF YOUR CIRCUIT!
The digital multimeter (DMM), or just multimeter for short, is a multifunctional measurement unit used frequency in circuit analysis and testing. DMMs may vary slightly from one unit to the next, but they are often capable of measuring at least the following:
- Voltage (common)
- Current (common)
- Resistance (common)
- Continuity (common)
- Capacitance (sometimes)
- Temperature via thermocouple input (sometimes)
- Transistor tester (sometimes)
A multimeter allows you to understand what is going on in your circuits. Whenever something in your circuit isn’t working, the multimeter will help you troubleshooting. Here’s some situations in electronics projects that you’ll find the multimeter useful:
- is the switch on?
- is this wire conducting the electricity or is it broken?
- how much current is flowing through this led?
- how much power do you have left on your batteries?
Digital Multimeter Instruction Video
Watch the following video to learn the basics of how to use a digital multimeter (DMM).
continuity tester
The continuity tester (see photo below with wheel rotated to red diode/audio symbol) is a great tool for determining whether or not two points are connected via a low-resistance path (“short-circuit”) or not connected at all (“open-circuit”). If the two points under test are “short-circuited”, then the meter will make an audible tone/beep to let you know without having to look up from the circuit (very convenient).
