Quck answer
To check millivolts with a multimeter, follow these steps:
1. Set the multimeter to the millivolt range.
2. Connect the black probe to the ground or negative terminal.
3. Connect the red probe to the positive terminal or the point where you want to measure millivolts.
4. Read the millivolt measurement on the multimeter’s display.
5. If the reading is within the expected range, the millivolt measurement is accurate.
6. If the reading is significantly different or shows “OL” (overload), check your connections or troubleshoot the circuit.
Remember to always exercise caution and refer to the multimeter’s manual for specific instructions.
When you need to measure electric current, you use an ammeter. For resistance, an ohmmeter is used. And for voltage, a voltmeter is needed. However, a multimeter combines all of these functions into a single device. It has a dial on the front that allows you to select the desired function and sensitivity, as well as an LED screen that displays the measurement. To measure voltage across a circuit element, the meter’s leads must be connected in parallel with the element. In the voltage setting, the meter has a high resistance to ensure that very little current flows through it.
Step 1
Insert the black lead wire that came with the multimeter into the COM socket on the front of the device. The COM socket stands for “Common”. Then, insert the red lead wire into the VΩmA socket, which is usually the middle one. The top socket, marked 10A, is rarely used.
Step 2
Rotate the dial to the section where the voltage settings are located. This section is typically labeled with the abbreviation V=. Within this section, there are different sensitivities to choose from. Select the least sensitive millivolt (mV) setting, as it will provide the highest measurement in millivolts.
Step 3
Place the red lead on one of the terminals of the circuit element across which you want to measure the voltage, and place the black lead on the other terminal. Alternatively, you can place the leads on the wires connected to the terminals.
Step 4
If you do not see a reading, rotate the dial to the next higher sensitivity. Keep rotating it until a reading appears. Once you obtain a reading, it will be displayed in millivolts. No further calibration is needed.
Step 5
If you have an autoranging multimeter, simply rotate the dial to the volts (V) setting and place the leads on the terminals. The meter will automatically calibrate its sensitivity and provide you with a reading.
