Voltage Drop Testing ~ The BEST Way To Test Wiring

Performing a voltage drop, or volt drop test is the best way to check wiring. If you are checking wiring for power, checking for ground, or an open, you can use volt drop testing. Volt drop testing is the best way to check a wire. Resistance testing of a wire does not properly test a wire

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[HumbleMechanic]

True of False, Voltage Drop testing the best way to test a wire? ;) Links to everything we used today in the description. <3

[markalpha]

The way i learned it is a v4- reading.

V1: battery positive to battery negative
V2: positive side to negative side from component( lightbulb for example)
V3: negative side component to negative battery
V4: positive component to positive battery

V2 + v3 + v4 should be almost equal to v1 ( otherwise your reading is faulty)
V3 and v 4 should be as low as possible (0.5 volt drop is acceptable)


Example:

V1 is 12.6 volts
V2 is 10.4 volts
V3 is 2.2. Volts
V4 is 0.0. Volts

This means that there is a voltage drop in the negative side of the circuit
Its a very usefull method to find electrical problems.

[Brokemanballin]

I passed 104 Electrical course! Not only did I pass, I also was a in the 100 club. Honestly your electrical videos helped me understand it a lot.

I got a %30 on my second quizz, and when I retook the quizz at the end of course when they allow one retake, I scored 80%.

In total 90% final quizz, 57 out of 60 on Lab final (forgot to convert to miniaps from minivoltage), and a 100% on my written final.

The instructor tells the students this course is the highest failure rate, and it really is, and is unnecessary stressful.

[musabfeltman]

Generally I'd love to see more of any electrical systems diagnostics related stuff. Alot of tech channels tend to neglect this part of diagnostics so It'll be awesome if your covered it.

[connorreid-gs]

I'm trying to self learn and advance from my current technical abilities. This demonstration has made it so much clearer and easier to understand.
Many many thanks! Great job!

[labradormcgraw]

This is a great pictorial representation of how a circuit works - great job. One of the best explanations I've seen.

[gismorambo]

I don't know if this is the same in each country but this is (a little bit) similair to the method we learn here.(the Netherlamds) V4 method. Wich is where you measure 4 things.
V1; the battery.
V2; the component.(in this case the H7 bulb)
V3; the positive cable
V4; the negative cable.
This way you always know where the problem is.

Btw love your vids Charles. I am working since the start of my career(age 19) at a VAG dealership(Seat&Skoda) and I can relate to a lot of stuff you are telling about in your videos.

[RetrocarStyle]

EXCELLENT!! Alot of this same info is in BMW's Standard Training manual for advanced vehicle diagnostics. Voltage drop tests are superior to ohms checks. The standard is 0.1 - 0.3 mV. Great Video!!

[sharpcarco]

I’d like to see some videos on ground dropping I thought this video was excellent thank you very much I’m certain I will be using this information in one of my future videos and I will give you a shout out! ( not that you need it lol ) Love your stuff one of the very few people even watch on YouTube

[arthurfricchione]

Thanks much for the explanation. 👍 in fact, I went out and purchased some of the items you listed just to create my own circuits from automotive schematics just to see how they are wired and to be able to create my own faults. I already have the load pro but this gives myself a great way of learning exactly what's going on. Great video and please keep them coming. I only watch certain guys and gals I know I can rely on and yourself Bogi, Paul D, Eric O, Keith D, and Ivan at PHD are the best. Thanks much ❤️️

[jayt]

Why did you equate .26v to 2.6 volt drop? Thanks! 4:37

[jayely]

This video was brilliant, very helpful and straightforward, all the others I watched they made it confusing but this makes it simple, thank you

[davidlopez]

Charles you do a truly wonderful of explaining concepts without being douchey about it what I don't understand is for top wire between the two exposed areas why the voltage isn't ~12 volts

[Brokemanballin]

I'm in course 104 Electrical at UTI. I scored 100% on my first quizz, then a low score on my second quizz.

I'm not a good learner by reading. I'm a hand on or visual learner. I didn't have the opportunity to visually see or do a hands on for this second quizz.

This video helped me a lot to understand it better. I can check ohms like a pro. The rest was super confusing. But, this video's demo is great.

I'll let you know if I pass with a better score on my retake of the quizz. If I do, it's because this video.

[CarsSimplified]

Very well put together! I'm surprised this doesn't have more views; it's very handy to know!

[insylem]

The Fluke 117 multimeter has that load probe built into the meter. It's a very handy function.

[coolbluelights]

I've been messing with electronics/electrical and using multimeters since I was a teenager, over 20 years, I even went to school for it, and I never knew you could get any kind of reading at all by putting both probes on the positive side of a circuit... Mind= Blown

[RangerSpecForDelta]

Thanks for the video Charles, always love your content. I'm just about to finish tech school myself and my electrical class wasn't very helpful.

Basic question: how does a 0.26xx reading on a DVOM translate into a 2.6 voltage drop?

[matthewmonsees]

Great job! I'm gonna share this everytime somebody wants to load the parts cannon!

[plunderbunny]

Videos like these are my favorites.
Thanks for sharing the knowledge.