How to Test a Battery With a Digital Meter
Digital multimeters measure voltage, current and resistance in an electrical circuit. A digital multimeter typically uses two internal circuits to make the measurements: one dedicated circuit for measuring electrical current, and another for measuring voltage and resistance.
Both internal circuits are used when testing batteries (or any other power source, for that matter). Wiring the multimeter in a series circuit while selecting the current-measuring circuit will provide a measurement of battery current output. Wiring the multimeter in a parallel circuit across the battery leads will provide a voltage measurement.
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Things You'll Need
- 6-volt battery
- 600-ohm resistor
- Electrical wire
- Electrical pliers
- Soldering iron and solder
- Digital multimeter with alligator probe clips
Instructions
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Cut two lengths of wire, and strip each end of ½ inch of insulation. Attach one end of the first wire to one of the resistor leads and solder the connection. Attach one end of the second wire to the free resistor lead and solder the connection. Connect the free end of the second wire to the negative battery terminal.
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Set the digital multimeter to "Current" or "Amps," and plug the red probe lead wire into the "A" plug. Plug the black probe lead wire into the "Com" plug. Attach the red probe to the positive battery terminal. Attach the black probe to the free end of the first wire. Read the multimeter display screen (which should show approximately 10 milliamps, or "10 mA").
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Disconnect the red multimeter probe from the battery. Disconnect the black multimeter lead from the first wire. Attach the free end of the first wire to the positive battery terminal. Set the multimeter to "DC Voltage," and plug the red probe lead wire into the "V+" plug. Attach the black multimeter probe to the electrical joint connecting the second wire to the second resistor lead. Attach the red probe to the electrical joint connecting the first wire to the first resistor lead. Read the multimeter display screen (which should show approximately 6 volts).
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Tips & Warnings
If the battery reads significantly less (more than 20 percent) than 10 mA or significantly less than 6 volts, the battery is discharged or damaged and should be replaced.
