How to Measure Amps with a Meter
Knowing how much current a home electrical appliance draws can be a valuable troubleshooting tool. For example, if your circuit breaker is continually opening, you might wonder if your circuit breaker is defective. You can measure the current that your appliance is drawing and determine if it is drawing too much current, causing the circuit breaker to open. Learn how to measure current by using a meter, and you will know if your circuit breaker is rated properly, too. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Plug the device into an electrical outlet. Read the multimeter display to determine the number of amps flowing through the wire.
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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.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a small plastic bowl nearby when working on electrical repairs. Keep small parts in the bowl so you don't lose the parts.
Be very careful when working with live electrical voltages. They can be dangerous and will cause electrical shock.
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
