Um...Multimeter help?

[Alone]

I just picked up a multimeter. I've probably used one five times in my life, and it was always to check batteries or a wall socket, something like that.

However, now I need to check the voltage reading on individual exposed wires in a wiring harness.

With the ignition on I'm looking for a max of 12.7 volts. How do I set this damn thing up?

Put it on V DC, at a max of 20, plug the black probe into COM and touch the wire? What about the red probe?

Someone help a brotha out.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Guessing this is a car?


Black -> Ground (bare metal spot on the car chassis, bolt head, etc)
Red -> Whatever you're trying to read the voltage of

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Black probe = ground, red probe = hot.

 

[Alone]

That's pretty much what I expected (I expected to be completely backwards). But I just wanted to verify mostly the settings on the multimeter. Black COM, Red V/+ and on V DC @ 20 seems right...right? 😛

 

[edro]

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_2/1.html

 

[BoomerD]

That's pretty much what I expected (I expected to be completely backwards). But I just wanted to verify mostly the settings on the multimeter. Black COM, Red V/+ and on V DC @ 20 seems right...right? 😛

Should work.

 

[lxskllr]

Not sure what "COM" is. Seems to me, it just has to go to chassis ground.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Not sure what "COM" is. Seems to me, it just has to go to chassis ground.

COM=common=ground

 

[BoomerD]

Not sure what "COM" is. Seems to me, it just has to go to chassis ground.

"COM" is common ground.

 

[lxskllr]

COM=common=ground

"COM" is common ground.

Gotcha. When I see "COM" I translate that to "Communications Port". I don't have a background in electronics though. It's all kind of self taught, and trial/error :^)

 

[Wyndru]

trial/error

Always a good approach to working with electricity 😉

 

[TecHNooB]

component object model? *shudder*

 

[BoomerD]

Always a good approach to working with electricity 😉

You betcha...say...what are those wires?