Working with electricity is fraught with dangers and dangers. Especially for electricians, the risk is higher.
In this article, I share with you, Dangers of using a digital multimeter.
The digital multimeter is one of the most important tools in an electrician’s kit.
However, once you have a digital multimeter. So how to use this tool to both ensure safety and satisfy the job?
Here are some notes when you are using a digital multimeter:
1. Have you chosen the right digital multimeter?
That is, your multimeter is rated for the voltage you’re planning to measure.
It could happen like this: One fine day, you were testing three-phase electrical equipment with voltage, the operations were correct, suddenly there was a clap of thunder. your multimeter will flash. Luckily you’re okay, but your watch is broken. You are very surprised. But that is overvoltage transients.
Transient voltage is a sudden change in the voltage of the electrical system, due to:
The lightning spread.
Internal voltage transitions: such as switching devices such as motors, circuit breakers, transformers, or a sudden load change that changes voltage in a short time.
therefore, manufacturers have produced multimeters that comply with the following two criteria: voltage level and queue rating.
- Voltage level: Probes and meters withstand the voltage to be measured.
- Rated rating: Probes and meters withstand voltage transients for a given time.
The gauges are evaluated by CAT rankings (CAT II, CAT III, CAT IV).
CAT VI:
- Three-phase at utility connection, any outdoor conductors
- Limited only by the utility transformer feeding the circuit
- ›› 50 kA short circuit current
CAT III:
- Three-phase distribution, including single-phase commercial lighting
- ‹50 kA short circuit current
CAT IV:
- Single-phase receptacle connected loads.
- ‹10 kA short circuit current.
The CAT position seen on the meter is located near the probe plug.
Or you can take a look: at the best multimeter that works for you.
2. Are your probes and Multimter still secured?
For electricians, insulation equipment is always important: insulating pliers, insulating screwdrivers, insulating mats, insulating gloves, insulating shoes … when performing power supply operations.
So is the multimeter, the test lead and the meter must be secure in use.
You must visually check whether the conductor or meter has external damage (physical damage):
- Is the probe wire scratched?
- Is the probe protector cracked?
- the meter is broken?
- Is the display normal?
- Is the connector between the meter and test wire loose?
No physical damage was found after an inspection. Continue to check if your watch is working:
Test the resistance (Ω): you take any resistor you know (100Ω) and turn on the correct Ω scale to see how much it is, can give such an approximate value as well.
Similar check voltage and current: including AC and DC, but you must switch its correct scale.
Risks are present during electrical testing, so make sure your multimeter is always the best.
3. Is this mistake on your own?
- Measure the voltage but the scale on the meter is still in the Ω position: damage the meter.
- This is actually the case most often you pay attention to.
- Your watch broke the fuse in the past, and you replaced it with another one. its example is exactly 10A but you replace only 2A only. It will not be enough capacity.
- Have you ever been measuring the Current (A) that you passed to measure voltage (V) yet? Remember to move the scale from A to V and switch the jack properly.
Summary:
Using electricity meters safely and effectively is a very essential skill.
Hopefully, this article can help you make better use of the digital multimeter.