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TEST LIGHTS
A test light is simply a
light bulb with a probe
and a ground wire
attached.
TEST LIGHTS
TEST LIGHTS
Continuity Test Lights
A continuity light
illuminates whenever it
is connected to both
ends of a wire that has
continuity or is not
broken.
TEST LIGHTS
LED Test Lights
An LED test light uses
an LED instead of a
standard automotive
bulb for a visual
indication of voltage.
FIGURE 8-4 High-impedance test light. An LED test light can be easily made using lowcost components and an old ink pen. With the 470 ohm resistor in series with the LED,
this tester only draws 0.025 ampere (25 milliamperes) from the circuit being tested. This
low current draw helps assure the technician that the circuit or component being tested
will not be damaged by excessive current flow.
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
TEST LIGHTS
Logic Probe
A logic probe is an
electronic device that
lights up a red (usually)
LED if the probe is
touched to battery
voltage.
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Digital multimeter (DMM) and digital voltohmmilliammeter (DVOM) are terms
commonly used for electronic highimpedance test meters.
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-6 Typical digital
multimeter. The black meter lead
always is placed in the COM
terminal. Except when measuring
the current in amperes, the red
meter test lead remains in the V
terminal.
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-8 A summary chart indicating what measurement type may be used to test which
vehicle system. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Voltage
A voltmeter measures the pressure or
potential of electricity in units of volts.
A voltmeter is connected to a circuit in
parallel.
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Voltage
FIGURE 8-9 A typical autoranging digital multimeter automatically selects the proper scale to read
the voltage being tested. The scale selected is usually displayed on the meter face. (a) Note that the
display indicates 4, meaning that this range can read up to 4 volts. (b) The range is now set to the
40 volt scale, meaning that the meter can read up to 40 volts on the scale. Any reading above this
level will cause the meter to reset to a higher scale. If not set on autoranging, the meter display
would indicate OL if a reading exceeds the limit of the scale selected. (Courtesy of Fluke
Corporation)
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Voltage
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Resistance
An ohmmeter measures the resistance in
ohms of a component or circuit section when
no current is flowing through the circuit.
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Resistance
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Resistance
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Resistance
FIGURE 8-13 Many digital multimeters can have the display indicate zero to compensate for test lead
resistance.(1) Connect leads in the Vand COM meter terminals.(2) Select the scale.(3) Touch the two meter
leads together.(4) Push the zero or relative button on the meter.(5) The meter display will now indicate
zero ohms of resistance. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Amperes
An ammeter measures the flow of current
through a complete circuit in units of
amperes.
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Amperes
FIGURE 8-14 In this digital multimeter set to read DC amperes, note that the red lead is
placed in the far left-hand socket of the meter. The meter is displaying the current flow
(4.18A) through the electric fuel pump on this General Motors 3800 V6 engine.
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Amperes
FIGURE 8-15 An inductive ammeter clamp is used with all starting and
charging testers to measure the current flow through the battery cables.
FIGURE 8-18 Note the blade-type fuse holder soldered in series with one
of the meter leads. A 10 amp fuse helps protect the internal meter fuse (if
equipped) and the meter itself from damage that might result from excessive
current flow if accidentally used incorrectly.
FIGURE 8-20 Always look at the meter display when a measurement is being made,
especially if using an autoranging meter. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
FIGURE 8-21 When reading AC voltage signals, a true RMS meter (such as a Fluke 87)
provides a different reading than an average responding meter (such as Fluke 88).The only
place this difference is important is when a reading is to be compared with a specification.
(Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
FIGURE 8-22 This meter display shows 052.2 AC volts. Notice that the zero beside the 5
indicates that the meter can read over 100 volts AC with a resolution of 0.1 volt.
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
Unacceptable 1.00%
Okay 0.50% (1/2%)
Good 0.25% (1/4%)
Excellent 0.10% (1/10%)
SUMMARY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain why most digital meters are called
high-impedance meters.
2. Describe how an ammeter should be
connected to an electrical circuit.
3. Explain why an ohmmeter must be
connected to a disconnected circuit or
component.
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
CHAPTER QUIZ
1. Inductive ammeters work because of what
principle?
a) Magic
b) Electrostatic electricity
c) A magnetic field surrounds any wire carrying a
current
d) Voltage drop as it flows through a conductor
CHAPTER QUIZ
2. A meter used to measure amperes is called
a(n) _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Amp meter
Ampmeter
Ammeter
Coulomb meter
CHAPTER QUIZ
3. A voltmeter should be connected to the
circuit being tested _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In series
In parallel
Only when no power is flowing
Both a and c
CHAPTER QUIZ
4. An ohmmeter should be connected to the
circuit being tested _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In series
In parallel
Only when no power is flowing
Both b and c
CHAPTER QUIZ
5. A high-impedance meter _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
CHAPTER QUIZ
6. A meter is set to read DC volts on the 4 volt
scale. The meter leads are connected at a
12 volt battery. The display will read _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
0.00
OL
12 V
0.012 V
CHAPTER QUIZ
7. What could happen if the meter leads were
connected to thepositive and negative
terminals of the battery while the meter and
leads were set to read amperes?
a) Could blow an internal fuse or damage the
meter
b) Would read volts instead of amperes
c) Would display OL
d) Would display 0.00
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e
By James D Halderman
CHAPTER QUIZ
8. The highest amount of resistance that can
be read by the meter set to the 2 k scale is
_____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
2,000 ohms
200 ohms
200 k (200,000 ohms)
20,000,000 ohms
CHAPTER QUIZ
9. If a digital meter face shows 0.93 when set
to read k, the reading means _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
93 ohms
930 ohms
9,300 ohms
93,000 ohms
CHAPTER QUIZ
10. A reading of 432 shows on the face of the
meter set to the millivolt scale. The reading
means _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)
0.432 volt
4.32 volts
43.2 volts
4,320 volts
END