How To Use a MULTIMETER (Volts, Amps, Ohms, Continuity)

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Many up-and-coming electricians have trouble understanding how to use the various electrical testers out on the market. All of the dials, characters, and options can get a bit confusing if you don’t have experience using a multi-meter. In this episode, I talk about how to use a commonly used tester, the Fluke T5-600.

Technically the fluke T5 is not a “multi-meter.” Fluke’s website lists it as a “tester,” while their Multimeter section shows only digital multimeters with no separate jaw-type ammeter. However, a multi-meter is simply a “multi-use meter” - something that can test several different electrical units of measure. The T5 measures voltage, amperage, resistance, and continuity. There are other multi-meters out there that have extra functions but the T5 is for the basic 4 that most electricians will use every day. So how do we use it?

VOLTAGE -
What you’re doing when you’re testing for voltage is testing the difference of potential between two points. “Voltage” is a difference of potential between two points in an electrical system. It is not a reading of one conductor, it's reading a difference between two. It can even be a difference between one wire and a piece of metal that’s bonded to earth. But keep in mind that you’re trying to get a value that shows “the difference in potential” between TWO things.

Flip the dial of the T5 to the “V” and take the leads out of the slide-in slots on the back. Ensure that you’re wearing proper PPE such as insulated “hot-gloves,” and a flash suit if you’re working in an electrical panel. Take one lead and touch it to a known hot conductor or terminal. Take the other lead and touch it to that same conductor or terminal. Notice you get a reading of 0v. This is because this conductor is at the same potential as itself. To get a voltage reading you have to test between two different objects.

AMPERAGE -
How to use the amperage setting - Flip the dial to the “A” (Amperes). Line your wire up with the two lines inside of the jaw of the ammeter. Only measure one wire at a time. This tester will give you readings up to 100 amps, so for anything more than that you’ll need a larger tester. This makes sense since the max size wire you can fit in the ammeter is 1/0 THHN. If you have larger wires than 1/0 THHN then you’ll need to get your hands on a clamp-on ammeter.

RESISTANCE -
Flip the dial to the Ohm (Omega) symbol. For this you want to test on a dead circuit so make sure the power is shut off. To test a conductor’s resistance you will need to have access to the beginning and the end of the conductor. Put one lead on the beginning of your conductor and one lead and the end of your conductor. This meter will display how many ohms of resistance there is between the leads. When there is low resistance you will hear a loud toning noise. When you try testing a really high resistance the tester will stop emmiting a tone, and will instead just display values. This meter is only good for up to 1,000 ohms. Anything more than 1,000 ohms should really be tested with a megger (megohmmeter)

#electrical #electrician #multimeter

[MrMatches]

Please note: Resistance/continuity setting is only for non-live circuits. You can damage your meter or cause injury if you test resistance on a live circuit.

[marcos]

I wish Dustin was my journeyman he makes things easy to understand

[LiggityL]

I’m in hvac trying to understand electric from other hvac guys not that I’m complaining but I should have subscribed to this channel a long time ago learning a lot !

[dakotasmith]

Makes more sense watching this than a professor explaining it lml

[rufaiajala]

I literally just watched the longer version of this episode a few hours ago. Thanks for the shorter one too. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[DrunkHippos]

If you have a megger/insulation tester, you should do a video on insulation testing and leakage current next. It could be a nice way to start out a new advanced techniques series of videos.

[facefaceyouth]

Thanks for the videos. Really helpful and keeps people like me from feeling like I’ve asked a stupid question.

[BrayanCCG]

Thank you so much for your videos Dustin they help me a lot as a first year apprentice, you really are a great electrician :)

[jjscrazy]

I’m 7 days into my apprenticeship (and 45 years old)... I watch EU in all my spare time. Thanks so much for all you do Dustin.

[mattsmith]

2:50 I'm an electrician apprentice and my dad asked me the other day about some sort of device you're supposed to plug in near your circuit breaker to help lower your energy cost. You just gave the perfect example of why it works great for an industrial application but not for residential. When I looked into it, an article explained about how it basically evened out that power Spike that industrial Motors cause..

[josephrhodes]

You should do a video on how to find a neutral in a control circuit. I know you won't ever see relays out in the field, but the use of control relays is a big part of any industrial setting. I've noticed that some people will get confused when a relay is being controlled by a neutral and not a hot. Relay power terminals do not have polarity, so it doesn't matter which wire you put on the 7 or 2 to energize the coil.

[crkst]

Great refresher vid you got here! Thanks a lot, bud!

[clone]

Great video! What and ending too. “Alright so that’s it 🤷‍♂️” - cuts to credits 😂 I was dying lol. Especially had me going how you said it with upward inflection like you were gonna say something else lmao. This vids getting a like

[christopherscholz]

Hi Dustin, great video. In addition to voltage rating you might want to mention the corresponding IEC CAT rating, too.

[johnstup]

Great content! Love how you explain everything. You are a good teacher Dustin.

[keytothegate]

Great, this was well presented and easy to understand and it covered the four important functions.

[jasonkrainert]

Would you please do a video on Fluke's wire tracer, and how to use tone and continuity functions.

[Twelvegagesage]

Can you do a video on that other multimeter you showed in the beginning?

[BryanDennisonBryansGaming]

Nice quick basic video of a multimeter, nice job

[mathman]

Dustin, Dustin still knocking it out of the park... when you moving up north?