\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. A multimeter is a device that measures the voltage and the current of the electricity present in the outlet. P.S. Because you will be performing these tests on a live outlet, ensure safety by holding both meter probes in the same hand. The voltage tester indicates a live current only when it is against the positive, or hot, wire. Note – The red lead may have a red ring around the connector and the black lead may have a black ring. I already know that I have to set the meter to voltage (the one with a V and a ~). The voltage tester indicates a live current only when it is against the positive, or hot, wire. supports HTML5 video. Contact Mr. Electric today. Three major wires (positive, neutral, and ground) run through most electrical cords. So use the search bar below to find your local Mr. Electric today: This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The ground slot is often wider while the slot that carries the voltage is narrower, and you thus need to put the lead into the narrower slot and the black lead in the wider slot. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. This blog is made available by Mr. Electric for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. A properly functioning outlet will give a reading of AC 110-120 volts. Connect the probes to the right holes on the multimeter. Electrician & Construction Professional. Consequently, you will be able to tell whether or not the electrical outlet is destroyed and … A multimeter is a small and inexpensive portable tool made to test electrical wiring and all types of home appliances. You can also test the voltage of the neutral wire using the multimeter. A reading of 110 or 120 volts indicates the wall outlet is working properly. Need to troubleshoot a dead outlet? Testing an electrical outlet using a digital multimeter. Check your multimeter’s manual if you are unsure of how to turn it on. One function of a multimeter is to check for continuity. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project. [6] If you need to check to see if an outlet is 'on' then use a ac tester. For this test remove the black lead and place it in the ground outlet … If you do, you could be electrocuted. The best way to test a split receptacle is with a receptacle tester or a voltage detector.Turn the switch on and off to see if the receptacle has power (tester lights up with power). Be certain to touch around the cord. It basically determines if a circuit is open or closed. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Purchasing a multimeter, the go-to tool for diagnosing electrical problems, could allow you to investigate and address outlet issues. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. State and local laws may impact the services this independently owned and operated franchise location may perform at this time. % of people told us that this article helped them. How to Test for Proper Voltage in an Outlet. Testing for ground can be performed using either a multitester or a basic voltage tester. Warning: Hold the prongs by the insulated parts only. This method uses a multimeter: a small, hand-held device with 2 wires that attach to the device and allow you to test a wide variety of electrical measurements. Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. What exactly is the third prong used for? To avoid that scenario, leave one hand free and grip both meter probes in the same hand. Unplug the equipment from the AC outlet. You might want to use a multimeter to check the voltage of an outlet and ensure that the casing is safe. There are four steps to go through to test a wire for power with a multimeter. Making a Grounding Check. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,525 times. The process of checking an outlet’s voltage is quick and easy, and you can also check the casing of an outlet to make sure it’s safe. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Do not touch the metal parts or you may electrocute yourself! These are what will allow you to test your socket and will need to be attached to the multimeter. How to Test a 220V Dryer Outlet Locate the circuit breaker for the 220 volt dryer outlet in the main circuit panel, which is typically located in the garage or utility room. Consult the user's manual if you're not sure. Only the right side of the socket should have an electrical current. The typical dryer requires 220 to 240 volts to run, and simply just plugging in the dryer to the outlet to see if it will work could cause damage to the dryer or electrical circuit if the voltage is not correct. Insert the two test leads (one each) into the two 'hot' slots of the outlet. Hold the tip of the voltage tester against the side of the electrical cord. If it reads between 215 to 245 volts, the outlet works properly and powers appliances with this voltage range. Turn off all power to the circuit or device under test. Although different types of multimeters can have more or fewer functions, you can safely assume that your multimeter is equipped to test a wire for power. Savings on services from licensed, expert electricians are only a click away. a continuity test is checking of a circuit to see if the current can flow through it or not. Always test your test equipment for proper operation before use. A check for short circuits is one of the most basic tests you can perform with a multimeter. Direct Current Gain (hFE): This setup is to test transistors and their DC gain, yet it’s primarily worthless, because most electrical experts as well as hobbyists will certainly utilize the continuity check instead. If the wire lacks continuity, it has a "short." A Digital Multimeter is a test tool used to measure two or more electrical values—principally voltage (volts), current (amps) and resistance (ohms). There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Even though the prongs are different colors, it doesn’t matter which one you put into each side of the outlet. If a fuse is broken, the circuit will read as an open line on a multimeter. Next you will need to connect the black lead, this is done by connecting it to the “com” label. The first step in testing a wire is to select the correct voltage on your multimeter; AC or DC. However, if it’s lower or higher, the outlet may be malfunctioning. Using a multimeter or sometimes called a VOM (Volt Ohm Meter), will provide an instant and accurate reading of the voltage in the outlet. On the simplest meters, you use the resistance setting; sophisticated models have a continuity setting that flashes a light or beeps a tone to let you know a connection is a short circuit. You can get a basic, inexpensive multimeter for around $20 USD. From priority scheduling, preferential pricing, exclusive savings, and more. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Test-an-Outlet-with-a-Multimeter-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-an-Outlet-with-a-Multimeter-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Test-an-Outlet-with-a-Multimeter-Step-6.jpg\/aid11311867-v4-728px-Test-an-Outlet-with-a-Multimeter-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"