Modding and Multimeters

Multimeter's Common Controls 1) On/off 2) Scales selection 3) Readout 4) Prefix/symbol 5) Data hold button 6) DC voltage 7) AC voltage 8) DC amperage 9) AC amperage 10) Ohms 11) Positive/Hot lead plug 12) Common/Neutral lead plug 13) Amperage plug(used with common plug) 14) Hz/Frequency 15) Temperature 16) Continuity 17) Diode 18) Capacitance This multimeter was $100 when I got it about 8 years ago. It also has some extras that are good for modding use, but I am not explaining to limit confusion.

Good habits to get into with a multimeter are:

Check your equipment as some leads have changeable tips that come loose.

Set your meter to the function before connecting leads.

Connecting one lead at a time, crucial with live wires/boards, crossed connections can kill you or your project.

Working with bare wires or components can cause shorts or misreading's,
so work on insulated area (not in a metal case).

Learn wire color-coding and pinouts to avoid accidents. Keep a folder/ notebook for writing down notes so you can keep for reference.

Keep paper handy if your doing several tests to write readings on.

Reading a multimeter

First thing to reading a meter is an understanding of the prefixes. The prefixes are metric, so conversion is easy once you get the hang of it. My meter auto ranges, so it selects the most accurate range and then I convert it to know the proper way to write and look up parts.

Symbols for Electric: Most used prefixes for reading a multimeter

The other key is the symbol for each function, which makes jotting notes easier. Example of this is 100 mA DC may be on a part, which is read as 100 Milli Amperes Direct Current. A meter reading on digital display of 1 M Ω, which is read as 1 Megaohm of resistance. View the chart and then read on to begin testing with a multimeter.