How to Test a Volt Meter

A voltmeter has many applications, from testing car wiring to testing the wiring in electrical components.

A voltmeter is an electronic testing device and is used to test for faulty wiring. The voltmeter provides a temporary circuit and measures the voltage of the current going through it. If the voltage displayed by the voltmeter matches the rating of the equipment being tested, it's good. If it doesn't, the equipment is faulty. Testing a voltmeter is simply a matter of connecting the positive and negative leads to a power source with a known voltage.

Things You'll Need

• Charged 12 volt car battery

Instructions

1. Turn on your voltmeter. Most have a power button switch on the face or on one of the sides.

2. Connect the positive lead on the voltmeter to the positive lead on the battery.

3. Connect the negative lead on the voltmeter to the negative lead on the battery. If the voltmeter is working correctly and the battery is fully charged, the voltmeter will display between 12.5 and 12.8 volts.

References

• Car Pros: How to Use a Voltmeter
• Automotive Troubleshooting Secrets: How to Use Automotive Wiring Diagram and Cut Your Garage Visits in Half