How to Use a Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter to Check Voltage
Tools and Tips

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

18.02.2023 /

You may need to measure the voltage passing through a circuit, but you don't know how or where to start. We have compiled this article to help you use the Cen-Tech DMM to test voltage.

You can use a digital multimeter to test voltage with these simple and easy steps.

  1. Ensure safety first.
  2. Turn the selector to AC or DC voltage.
  3. Connect probes.
  4. Check voltage.
  5. Take your reading.

DMM Components 

A multimeter is a device for measuring several electrical effects. These properties may include voltage, resistance, and current. It is mainly used by technicians and repairmen when doing their job.

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

  • LCD screen. The multimeter readings will be displayed here. Usually several numbers are read. Most multimeters today have a backlit screen for better display in dark and low light conditions.
  • Dial handle. This is where you set up the multimeter to measure a specific 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 the four holes on the bottom of the multimeter. Depending on what you are measuring and the type of input signal you are using as a source, you can place the sensors in any position that suits you.
  • Probes. You connect these two black and red wires to your multimeter. These two will help you in measuring the electrical properties you are doing. They help you connect the multimeter to the circuit you want to measure.

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

Counters are used to describe how accurately a multimeter can make measurements. These are the most preferred technicians as they can measure a small change in the system they are connected to.

For example, with a 20,000 count multimeter, one can notice a 1 mV change in the signal under test. A multimeter is preferred for several reasons. These reasons include the following:

  • They give accurate readings, so you can rely on them.
  • They are relatively cheap to buy.
  • They measure more than one electrical component and are thus flexible.
  • The multimeter is lightweight and easy to carry from one place to another.
  • Multimeters can measure large outputs without damage.

Multimeter Basics 

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

Voltage and current measurement

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

Then, connect the red lead to the socket marked VΩmA and the black lead to the socket marked COM.. You can then place the ends of two lead probes on the cables of the circuit you will be testing.

To measure DC voltage in a circuit, connect the black lead to the input of the jack labeled COM, and the probe with the red wire to the input of the jack labeled VΩmA.. Turn the dial to 1000 in the DC voltage section. To take a reading, place the ends of two lead probes on the wires of the component under test.

Here's how you can measure voltage with a Cen-Tech DMM. To measure current in a circuit with a multimeter, connect the red lead to the 10ADC socket and the black lead to the COM socket., Next, turn the selection knob to 10 amps. Touch the ends two lead probes on the cables of the circuit under test. Record the current reading on the display screen.

It is important to note that different multimeters may perform differently. Please refer to the manufacturer's manual to see how it works. This avoids damage to the multimeter and the possibility of false readings.

Using a Cen-Tech DMM to Check Voltage

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

You can do it with 5 easy and simple steps which I will explain below. These include:

  1. Security. Before connecting the DMM to the circuit to be measured, make sure the selection knob is in the correct position. This will reduce the chance of overloading the counter. You should also check the circuit connections and power supply to reduce injury.

You can also make sure that the circuit has not been tampered with by anyone and is in good working order.

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

  1. Turn the selector knob to select 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.
  2. Connect probes. For DC voltage, connect the red lead to the VΩmA input and the black lead to the common (COM) input jack. Then turn the selection knob to 1000 in the DCV segment. After that, you will be able to measure the DC voltage in the circuit.

For AC voltage, connect the red test lead to the input jack marked VΩmA and the black test lead to the common (COM) input jack. The selection knob will have to be turned to 750 to the ACV position.

  1. Check voltage. To measure voltage, touch the ends of two probes to exposed parts of the circuit under test.

If the voltage being tested is too low for the setting you have chosen, you can change the position of the selection knob. This improves the accuracy of the multimeter when taking readings. This will help you get the right results.

  1. You take reading. To get a reading of the measured voltage, you simply read the reading from the display screen located on the top of the multimeter. All your readings will be displayed here.

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

Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter Features

The performance of a Cen-Tech DMM is not much different from that of a conventional multimeter. These features include:

  1. Selection knob. You can use this wheel to select the desired function and the overall sensitivity of the multimeter.
  2. Banana Probe Ports. They are located at the bottom of the multimeter horizontally. They are marked from top to bottom.
  • 10 ACP
  • VOmmA
  • COM
  1. Pair of lead probes. These probes are inserted into three jack inputs. The red lead is usually considered the positive connection of the multimeter. The black lead probe is considered the negative connection in the multimeter circuit.

There are different types of lead probes depending on the multimeter you purchase. They are grouped according to the type of ends they have. These include:

  • Banana for tweezers. They are useful if you want to measure surface mount devices.
  • Clamps banana to crocodile. These types of probes are useful for measuring the properties of large wires. They are also great for measuring pins on breadboards. They are handy because you don't have to hold them in place while you're testing a particular component.
  • Banana hook IC. They work well with integrated circuits (ICs). This is due to the fact that they are easily attached to the legs of integrated circuits.
  • Banana to test probes. They are the cheapest to replace when broken and can be found in most multimeters.
  1. Protection fuse. They protect the multimeter from excessive current that may flow through it. This provides the most basic protection. (2)

Summing up

The Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter is what you need right now to measure any voltage or current. The Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter saves time and helps you quickly measure voltage drop. I hope you find this article on how to use a Cen-Tech DMM to test voltage helpful. Here is a good guide to checking the voltage of a live wire.

Recommendations

(1) LCD - https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/LCD-liquid-crystal-display

(2) basic protection - https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Basic-Protection-Scheme_fig1_320755688

Add a comment