34
SAFETY DURING THE USE OF THE DIGITAL
MULTIMETER
●
Check the device before each use for damage. Never use the Digital Multimeter if there are signs
of damage.
●
If there’s a smoke, fire, or a strange odor coming from your device, you should turn it off
immediately.
●
If the Digital Multimeter is used near noise generating equipment, be aware that the display may
become unstable or indicate large errors.
●
Do not use the Digital Multimeter or the test leads if they look damaged.
●
The Digital Multimeter can be safe only when used in conjunctions with the supplied test leads.
Before each use, check the condition of the insulation on the test leads. You must replace the test
leads if the lead is exposed. Replace immediately damaged test leads, and replace only with the
same model and with the same electric specifications.
●
Never work alone.
●
Do not operate the Digital Multimeter around explosive gas, vapor, or dust.
●
Verify the meter’s operation by measuring a known voltage. Do not use the Digital Multimeter if
it operates abnormally. The protection may have been compromised. When in doubt, take the
Digital Multimeter out of service and ensure that it cannot be used until it has been checked out.
●
Use the proper terminals, function, and range for your measurements.
●
When the range of the value to be measured is unknown, check that the range initially set on the
Digital Multimeter is the highest possible.
●
To avoid damage to the instrument, do not exceed the maximum limits of the input values shown
in the chapter TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TABLES. You must stop the measurement immediately
when the measurement goes beyond the measuring range.
●
Do not touch the unused terminals when the Digital Multimeter is linked to measurement
circuits. Always keep your hands away from unused terminals.
●
Disconnect the test leads from the circuit under test before using the rotary switch to change
functions.
●
Use caution when working with voltages above 60V dc or 30V ac RMS. Such voltages pose a shock
hazard.
●
To avoid electrical shock and/or damage to the instrument, do not measure voltages above 600V
in Category II installations.
●
When using the probes, keep your fingers behind the finger guards.
●
When making connections, connect the common test lead before connecting the live test lead;
when disconnecting, disconnect the live test lead before disconnecting the common test lead.
●
For all functions, to avoid the risk of shock due to possible improper reading, verify the presence
of any ac voltages by first using the ac function. Then select a dc voltage range equal to or greater
than the ac range.
●
Disconnect the power of the circuit and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before testing
resistance, continuity, diodes, or transistors.
●
Never perform resistance or continuity measurements on live circuits.
●
Before measuring the current, turn off the power to the circuit before connecting the Digital
Multimeter to the circuit.
●
In TV repair work, or when carrying out measurements on power-switching circuits, remember
that high amplitude voltage pulses at the test points can damage the multimeter.
