6. COMPONENT CHECKING
Continuity Test
This function helps to check if two points in a circuit that should be
connected aren’t. This may be due to a broken wire somewhere in the
system or a loose connection. It can also help to determine if there is
an improper connection somewhere in the circuit.
When the probes are touched to two points that are properly
connected, the resistance should be low enough that current is able
to flow between them. This causes the multimeter to emit a beep.
If the two points are not
connected electrically, the
resistance is very high and the
multimeter will not emit any
noise. ‘OL’ will appear on the
multimeter display instead.
WARNING!
SWITCH OFF POWER IN THE CIRCUIT
AND DISCHARGE ALL CAPACITORS (IF ANY)
BEFORE CONDUCTING A CONTINUITY TEST.
1. Switch off power to the circuit being tested and discharge all
capacitors.
2. Connect the black test lead
to the black ‘COM’ port
and the red test lead to
the red ‘VmAΩ’ port on the
multimeter.
3. Set the mode dial to the diode/
continuity check function.
4. Press the probes to each end or section of the circuit being tested.
Work from each end of the circuit and narrow down until you
identify the faulty component or connection.
Diode Check
The diode check function helps to determine if a diode is blown or is
functioning as it should. It can also be used to measure how much
forward voltage is dropped across it.
Diodes are always polarised, which means they only allow current to
flow in one direction across them. An LED is a common example of a
diode.
Note:
This multimeter displays the forward voltage reading in mV.
1. Connect the black test lead
to the black ‘COM’ port
and the red test lead to
the red ‘VmAΩ’ port on the
multimeter.
2. Set the mode dial to the diode/
contunuity check function.
2. Press the red test probe to the
anode (+) and the black test
probe to the cathode (-) lead
of the diode.
3. If a value appears on screen,
you have determined the
approximate forward voltage
(in mV) of the diode and it is
functioning as it should.
4. If ‘OL’ appears the diode may
be blown or you have pressed
the probes to the wrong
leads on the diode. Swap the
probes around.
5. If ‘OL’ appears again the diode is blown and no longer functioning
as it should.
-
+
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
-
+
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
A
V
~
300
300
20
200
200
2
200m
Ω
OFF
200
200µ
20µ
2k
20k
200k
200m
20m
2m
2M
10A
VmA
Ω
V
10A
COM
