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Build Your Skills: Learn to use a

multimeter the right way
by Brien M. Posey MCSE | Jun 19, 2002 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Brien M. Posey MCSE

Takeaway: When and how to use a multimeter to troubleshoot PC power problems

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Look for these features when buying a multimeter

For the electrically uninitiated, using a multimeter to troubleshoot PC power problems

can be an intimidating task. But it doesn't need to be. With some basic electrical
knowledge and a little practice, you can safely and effectively use this handy gadget to
troubleshoot a variety of common PC problems.

Follow vendor instructions carefully

As you read through the article, keep in mind that working with electricity can be very
dangerous. My instructions are intended to be general guidelines. Every multimeter is
different, and if the instruction manual for your specific multimeter differs from any of
my pointers, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Analyzing a circuit
Any time that you’re checking a circuit with your multimeter, you must know whether
the circuit is AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) and about how much
current and voltage you’re potentially handling. You must also decide whether you
want to measure volts, amps or continuity.

When working with a PC, you'll almost always use DC volts. Modern ATX power
supplies convert the fixed-levels power they receive into +12 or -12, +5 or -5, and
+3.3-volt power sources for various system components. When testing a PC with a
multimeter, you'll be testing these various power cables (peripheral power,
motherboard power, and auxiliary device power—auxiliary device power is +12 volts
and runs such auxiliary devices as case fans and come CPU fans) to verify that they are
delivering the correct voltage.
Many multimeters have a dial that allows you to select various modes of operation. As
you can see in Figure A, there are four different areas of my multimeter’s dial that
deal with measuring current. These areas are designated by the codes V DC (volts DC),
V AC (volts AC), A DC (amps DC), and A AC (amps AC). You’d select one of these four
areas of the dial depending on whether you wanted to measure volts or amps of DC or
AC current. When checking circuits inside the computer, you would use either DC
volts (V DC) or DC amps (A DC).

Figure A

The multimeter’s dial selects modes of operation.

The next step in the process is to select an appropriate range. Each of my multimeter’s
sections has several values that designate range. You wouldn’t want to use a two-volt
setting to measure 600 volts. There are a variety of ranges available for both volts and
amps of DC and AC.

If you’re unsure of the approximate voltage range, a good technique is to start with the
maximum range and work your way down. Suppose that you had a two-volt power
source but weren’t sure if you were dealing with two volts or 200 volts. You should
initially measure the voltage with the highest possible range (in my case 600 volts).
Two volts won’t even show up on a 600-volt scale, so next you’d disconnect the meter,
set it to the next lowest range, and try measuring the voltage again. Eventually, as you
repeat this procedure, you’ll find the appropriate range.

A word about safety

It’s always important to pay attention to the colors on a multimeter’s display. You
might have noticed in the figure that my multimeter has a red probe and a black
probe. When measuring AC, it doesn’t really matter which probe goes to which wire
because AC alternates positive and negative on each wire. However, when measuring
DC, you should always observe polarity by attaching the red probe to the positive and
the black probe to the negative. Often the power source will already use red and black
wires, making it easy to determine which is positive and which is negative. Most digital
multimeters have a reverse polarity display, but most analog meters do not. Reversing
the polarity on an analog meter could possibly bend the needle and damage the meter
movement. If your power source uses different colors, CHECK THE MANUAL for the
correct polarity of each conductor.

You may also have noticed that of my multimeter’s various groups of available
functions, only the electrical current measurement functions that I described earlier
are shown in red. That’s because measuring current and voltage are the only
operations that should be performed with the power on. There are exceptions to this
rule, but as a general rule, never take any other type of measurements with the power
on. If you’re measuring something besides current or voltage (i.e., resistance or
continuity), the device you’re testing should be unplugged.

Even if the power source is disconnected, you should make sure to touch only the
plastic on the multimeter’s probes and never the metal. Capacitors store electricity,
and accidentally touching the wrong spots on a circuit board with the probes can
release this charge. Some capacitors within devices such as TVs and computer
monitors can hold a large, very dangerous charge for several years after the device has
been unplugged. These latent charges can hold enough electricity to kill a person. So
don’t assume that the old monitor that’s been collecting dust in the basement for 10
years doesn’t have any juice in it.

Testing continuity
Sometimes, you just need to find out if power is getting from point A to point B. This is
called a continuity test. Last summer, my brother shorted out the dashboard on my
boat. I needed to find out if the problem was actually in my dash or if the line that
connected the dash to the battery had somehow been damaged. To accomplish this, I
did a continuity test.

A continuity test involves using the Ohms section of your multimeter (ohms are the
standard unit for measuring electrical resistance). Set the range to the smallest
possible resistance level (lowest number of milliohms). Now, place one probe at one
end of the wire that you’re testing and place the other probe at the other end. If the
resistance level is very low, then the connection is good and current can get through
the wire, or the circuit is “closed.” If the resistance level is infinite, then the circuit is
“open” or has a break in it. Many meters produce an audible signal when continuity is
present, but the signal is only enabled in the lowest range of resistance. If the circuit is
continuous, you will hear the tone.

Testing resistance
You can also use the Ohm section of your multimeter to test a resistor or the
terminators used on coaxial cable or old token ring networks. First, make sure that
there’s no power going through the circuit. Then place one probe on each side of the
resistor or terminator that you’re testing and set the appropriate ohm level.
Terminators typically have the ohm level printed somewhere on or near them.
Terminators that are used in coaxial network cable have two options, either 50 or 75
ohms. Resistors use a series of colored bands to indicate their ohm level and their
tolerance (how many ohms they can be off by and still be within specs). Unfortunately,
the stripe pattern is a science in and of itself and can take a while to figure out.

Stay tuned
Now that I've given you the basics of multimeter use, you’re probably already thinking
of PC problems you can troubleshoot with this new knowledge. My next article will
offer a series of real-world PC problems that can be solved using a multimeter. Just
remember that any time you work with a multimeter or any electrical devices, safety is
always your first priority.

People who read this, also read...

Troubleshoot three common PC problems with a multimeter
How to use a multimeter to test resistors
Power-supply troubleshooting with a multimeter
Build Your Skills: The top 10 items for a network engineer's toolbox
Look for these features when buying a multimeter

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Comments on this article
Incorrect: "volts of current" gshollingsworth | 06/18/02

Bad advice lanadmn@... | 06/19/02

There is some reality here. TheChas | 06/20/02

 Please read: Technical errors addressed Bill Detwiler - TechRepublic
| 11/26/02
Don't use it on your car battery! d.allgrove | 06/19/02

No rings, watches and ties! d.allgrove | 06/20/02

Multimeters ARE used to test batteries. Steve.Moore@... | 10/20/02

You are correct gshollingsworth | 10/21/02

And you are quite right Steve.Moore@... | 10/21/02

Mutlimeter Meltdown d.allgrove | 10/22/02

Measurement Of Car Battery Amperage doug.cronshaw@... | 10/21/02

Such tests should always be caried out w stuart_at_oz | 10/21/02

Measuring Starter Current Draw Stargzer | 10/23/02

WATTS not amps blarman | 10/22/02

AMPS is correct NickNielsen | 10/23/02

"measuring current . .with the power on" RG53 | 06/19/02

Volts are not current Pilp | 06/19/02

Great article! johnelucas@... | 06/19/02

Perhaps Radio Shack best for beginner deeng@... | 06/19/02

Apology lanadmn@... | 06/19/02

English also needs some study earlkaplan@... | 06/19/02

So Learn English! syspop | 06/21/02

A little knowledge..... switcher | 06/25/02

correct info mikemichel@... | 07/14/02

 A more Accurate & Useful article tg0828 | 07/22/02

more info please... seanobrien@... | 09/28/02

Gaak! billg666 | 06/28/02

How not to use a multimeter Mike_P | 10/20/02

Amazed you haven't pulled this article michael.weaver@... | 10/20/02

Learn to use a multimeter the right way hgear@... | 10/20/02

u all sound a little weird! vanborine | 10/20/02

shock_article 2unixadms | 10/21/02

Testing resistance carlos_ofarrill@... | 10/20/02

Unhelpful Article dstarr@... | 10/20/02

Several errors in this article Mad Scientist | 10/20/02

Numerous errors PrinceGaz | 10/21/02

Voltage GBarclay | 10/21/02

This isn't very good advise. PKA | 10/21/02

The_Woodburys@... | 10/21/02

save time and money learn to use one stephenfranklin@... | 10/21/02

Resistor color codes webmaster@... | 10/21/02

Not always as they seem.............. Databit | 12/18/02

Last but not least simmonsjc@... | 10/21/02

ESD Precautions? stuart_at_oz | 10/21/02

Don't need a multimeter NickNielsen | 10/21/02

 Bad advice harrison1@... | 10/21/02

meltedmeter stuart_at_oz | 10/21/02

Excuse me mborders2@... | 10/22/02

voltage testing... stuart_at_oz | 10/22/02

Yes voltage drops mborders2@... | 10/25/02

Let's clarify multimeter terminology hafermyle@... | 10/31/02

You must be Joking ! ausgeoff@... | 11/17/02

an ex auto techs $.02 warrenxx@... | 11/17/02

Incorrect "AC current" & "DC Current" jnbcoop@... | 11/17/02

get sound!! joemaldonado3@... | 11/19/02

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