My new ROBOTRON! working again (woot!)

[RayB]

OK, I knew that much. "Continuity". Thing is, this meter has symbols. i don't know what the symbol is for "continuity".

There's an area where it says hFE. Another where it looks like a square wave. Next to that there's a symbol that looks like this:  .))) with a  ->|-  symbol under it.

There's an area with an Omega symbol and 5 different ratings.

So which is it? I thought the logical thing to do was to try each one and touch the probes together, but NONE make a beep. (Maybe the battery is getting weak)

[ChadTower]

Your DMM has a manual.  It should explain the settings there.

[CheffoJeffo]

You can use Omega to measure for zero resistance.

Cheers

[ChadTower]

It will work, as that is how the continuity check is done... won't beep, though.   

[RayB]

Your DMM has a manual.  It should explain the settings there.

I just checked my house, cuz I got this creepy feeling Chad is in here.

Nope, he's not here. *phew!*

And no, I don't have a manual.

[ChadTower]

Does it have batteries?

[RayB]

Does it have batteries?

There's no visible battery compartment, but the back does say it's powered by a 9volt. (I don't see how a digital multimeter would work without power. Geez Chad, sometimes you're so smart and then sometimes...  )

[ChadTower]

That was sarcasm.  And keep in mind that ohm meters (older instruments on which the DMM is based) did not use batteries.  So it's a valid question since it is entirely possible there are stripped down DMMs that also are not internally powered.

[_) (V) (-)]

hFE is most likely a capacitor tester

square wave is most likely dc voltage

.)))  I don't have a friggin' clue what that is 'sposed ta be.

->|-  is most likely a diode test, this may also be your Continuity test

Otherwise I think you could use the Ohms scale, just look for a very low reading, like 00.1.

[RayB]

QBert: My apologies for this! 

(PS: This meter, when I set to the OHMS section, it displays "1", then if I touch the two probes together, the number quickly "counts down" and stops at 0.0)

[2600]

Sometimes I can't tell if people are serious or joking on this forum.


hFE tests transistors

))) ->|- is continuity and diode test.  The ))) is suppose to be a sound wave like the symbol on your pc where you plug your speakers into.

The square wave is probably a pulse generator.  V and A (AC and DC) are usually pretty standard signs.

A google for your model should turn up a manual.  If not, go to the Fluke website and look at some of the manuals for DMM's.  They usually operate the same and it will give you instructions on how to use it.  When testing transistors and diodes, it's just easier to see a picture.  I've seen lots of DMMs where you have to take the case apart to get to the 9 volt.


Chad,
I would of thought an ohmeter required a battery?  A volt meter I could see not having one, but it's been a long time since I've seen them.

[Lutus]

In order to hear a beep, you must turn it to "ohms" or "continuity" setting and then press a button to denote that you wish to hear a beep.  Hope that makes sense.

[ChadTower]

That changes from DMM to DMM... neither of my newish DMMs need a button pressed.

[Lutus]

Really?

Well then, don't take my word for it 

I have an older multimeter.... obviously!

[Buddabing]

FYI do not test fuses in-circuit! You may get false good readings.