What is a Multimeter?

A digital multimeter or DMM is a useful instrument for measuring voltage, current and resistance, and some meters have a facility for testing transistors and capacitors. You can also use it for checking continuity of wires and fuses. If you like to DIY, do car maintenance or troubleshoot electronic or electrical equipment, a multimeter is a handy accessory to have in your home toolkit.

1.Power off the circuity/wiring under test if there is a danger of shorting out closely spaced adjacent wires, terminals or other points which have differing voltages.

2.Plug the black ground probe lead into the COM socket on the meter (see photo below).

3.Plug the red positive probe lead into the socket marked V (usually also marked with the Greek letter "omega" Ω and possibly a diode symbol).

4.If the meter has has a manual range setting dial, turn this to select AC or DC volts and pick a range to give the required accuracy. So for instance measuring 12 volts on the 20 volt range will give more decimal places than on the 200 volt range.If the meter is autoranging, turn the dial to the 'V' setting with the symbol for AC or DC.

5.A multimeter must be connected in parallel in a circuit (see diagram below) in order to measure voltage. So this means the two test probes should be connected in parallel with the voltage source, load or any other two points across which voltage needs to be measured.

6.Touch the black probe against the first point of the circuitry/wiring.

7.Power up the equipment.

8.Touch the other red probe against the second point of test. Ensure you don't bridge the gap between the point being tested and adjacent wiring, terminals or tracks on a PCB.

9.Take the reading on the LCD display.

Finally,

You can Measure Solenoid's Voltages.