Things You'll Need:
- Wire cutters
- Wire nuts
- Electrical tape
- Alligator clips
-
Step 1
Determine what type of meter you're using. If you're using a clamp-on meter, simply turn the meter on and clamp it onto the power cable that runs into the device for which you want to measure the current draw. Turn the device on, and the clamp-on meter will show the number of amps that is flowing through the cable.
-
Step 2
If you're using a meter that employs probes, such as a multimeter, you will have to put the probes in series with one of the lines in the power cable. For most household appliances, there are three wires in the power cable. These wires are neutral (red), hot (black) and ground (green). You will need to tap into the cable and splice into the hot or neutral wire. Make sure that the power cable is unplugged from the power source before attempting to splice into it.
-
Step 3
Use electrical tape and alligator clips to secure the ends of your two probes to the two ends of the spliced open wire, which is either hot or neutral. Make sure none of the metal is exposed. Turn the meter on and twist the function knob until the current function is selected.
-
Step 4
Plug the device into an electrical outlet. Read the multimeter display to determine the number of amps flowing through the wire.
-
Step 5
Unplug the device and remove the probes. Use electrical tape and wire nuts to reconnect the wire that you had spliced open to make the measurement.
