Equipment

[RicoS]

How many of you techs use a multimeter? My Dad just gave me a digital multimeter and I wanted to know if you guys have it in your bag and how often do you use it.

 

[keeperofthecode]

Never leave home without it but I do more component level repairs and out of the ordinary stuff than most. But even if i was only testing laptop power supplies I wou ld still be using it on almost a daily basis.

 

[Menaice]

mulitmeter is a must have

 

[itmgr]

One of the first tools to have

A great tool to have to test power, fuses, pinout a cable, or test a battey.

 

[sjlplat]

I've got a Fluke 87 that I paid a bundle for, but I need to send it in for calibration. I haven't needed it yet, but there will be a day when I'll wish I'd sent it in earlier.

 

[TimJacobs]

Never leave home with out it, It stays in my truck

 

[DavidF]

I need to replace mine.
I'm also looking for a good cable tester.

 

[RicoS]

I think I will take time to learn how to use it because it is greek to me!

 

[kagman]

Can anyone recommend a good multimeter? In the market to purchase one but dont know which is the one to get... thanks...

 

[SThompson86]

I have a Multi Meter, but I do not know how to use it. Yet I still carry it around in my tool box. Never needed to know how to use it though, YET . I need to take some time and figure it out.. lol

 

[RicoS]

LOL.......SThompson I am in the same boat with you......it looks good in my bag, but I have no idea how to use it!

 

[SThompson86]

Can anyone recommend a good multimeter?

I have a $7 one that I got from Harbour Freight tools. Not sure if it works or not though LOL

 

[kagman]

Ok I admit it. Ive never used one either.. There I've said it.. Now which one do I get..

 

[madmark]

Fluke makes a really good multimeter .... it is what i use at my day job ..but i am sure they are kind of pricey

 

[kagman]

Fluke makes a really good multimeter .... it is what i use at my day job ..but i am sure they are kind of pricey

wow they have a nice one that separates from the main unit. nice.. $300..

 

[keeperofthecode]

For anyone who doesn't know how to use a multimeter the main thing you need to know using one for working on computers is to test notebook power supplies. Turn the multimeter to the DC symbol (usually a flat solid line with a dotted line beside it) then Touch the red to the positve (usually the center pin) and the black to negative(usually the metal casing that wraps around the center pin). If your testing a 19V power supply then you should be reading 19V or pretty close. That teaches you the basics and you can then apply that to many other things on a computer for testing of motherboard components, power supplies and much more.

 

[sjlplat]

Can anyone recommend a good multimeter? In the market to purchase one but dont know which is the one to get... thanks...

It all depends on how much you want to spend. I won't use anything but Fluke, but you can get a much more moderately priced unit at Radio Shack that does the same thing.

 

[sjlplat]

For anyone who doesn't know how to use a multimeter the main thing you need to know using one for working on computers is to test notebook power supplies. Turn the multimeter to the DC symbol (usually a flat solid line with a dotted line beside it) then Touch the red to the positve (usually the center pin) and the black to negative(usually the metal casing that wraps around the center pin). If your testing a 19V power supply then you should be reading 19V or pretty close. That teaches you the basics and you can then apply that to many other things on a computer for testing of motherboard components, power supplies and much more.

This is a large portion of the testing you'll need to do. DC Voltage and Ohms will cover just about anything you really need. If you're looking for a short, use the Ohm setting to pass current through the circuit. If you're looking for power fluctuation or no power, use the DC Voltage setting to check the actual value. For all DC applications, Red is positive and Black is negative.

 

[keeperofthecode]

This is a large portion of the testing you'll need to do. DC Voltage and Ohms will cover just about anything you really need. If you're looking for a short, use the Ohm setting to pass current through the circuit. If you're looking for power fluctuation or no power, use the DC Voltage setting to check the actual value. For all DC applications, Red is positive and Black is negative.

Careful now, don't overload them in one day. Maybe we need to make a Multimeter 101 post with short lessons.

 

[sjlplat]

Careful now, don't overload them in one day. Maybe we need to make a Multimeter 101 post with short lessons.

This isn't a bad idea. I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't have exposure to multimeters. I know I'm definitely out of practice -- it's probably been a good 10 years since I had to use one.