What does negative voltage mean on a multimeter?
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What does negative voltage mean on a multimeter?

19.02.2023 /

The multimeter measures voltage, current and resistance. As a rule, the multimeter reading is either positive or negative, and you need to have a good understanding of electronics in order to measure the reading. Negative and positive multimeter readings, what do they mean?

A negative voltage reading on the multimeter means that there is currently an excess of electrons. In such a situation, the object receives a negative charge.

What do you need to check the voltage on a multimeter?

Here's everything you need to check the voltage on your multimeter:

  • Complete multimeter
  • Source of uninterrupted power supply
  • Good knowledge of electronics and sciences to understand readings

How can I measure voltage with a multimeter?

Voltage is one of the fields that can be measured with a multimeter. Currently, both analog and digital multimeters can be found on the market. In this guide, we will look at a more general method for measuring voltage with a multimeter, which is relevant and applicable to both analog and digital multimeters.

Step 1 - Are you measuring voltage? If so, is the voltage DC or AC? If you are measuring the voltage in your home, it will most likely be AC, but if it is a car or battery powered device, then it will most likely be DC.

Step 2 - Turn the selector switch to the correct voltage you intend to measure. AC voltage is symbolized by a sine wave. For DC, it is a straight line with a dotted line below it.

Step 3 - Find the COM output on your multimeter and connect the black lead.

Step 4 - Locate the connector marked V and plug in the red lead.

Step 5 - For the correct type of voltage, set the selector switch to the maximum value.

Step 6 - Turn on the device, vehicle, or electrical device whose voltage you are about to measure.

Step 7 - Make sure the black probe and red probe are touching the two ends of the terminals of the element you are measuring voltage for.

Step 8 - Your voltage reading will now appear on the multimeter screen.

How to read and understand voltage readings?

There are only two types of voltage readings that will be displayed on the multimeter: positive readings and negative readings.

Before jumping into the readings, keep in mind that in any multimeter, red indicates positive and black indicates negative. This also applies to sensors and other symbols and wires.

A negative value means that the circuit being used is not in a passive state. He has some tension. The negative voltage value is due to the relative abundance of electrons. A positive reading is the exact opposite of this. The multimeter will show a positive value if you connect the positive wire at a higher potential and the negative wire at a lower potential. (1)

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Recommendations

(1) electrons - https://www.britannica.com/science/electron

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