An embarrassing electrical question

[HeadRusch]

Ok..its been awhile since my electrical course in college...uh, how do I test for ground continunity using a Voltmeter?

<hide in shame>

I linked up all my grounds on my CP and am wondering how to test to make sure there aren't any shorts, for the life of me I can't remember how to use the cheap $10 voltmeter I bought.  Its Ohms for testing resistatnce right?  Errrrrr...

What do I set the voltmeter at (Ohms/Volts right, not amps) and then the black common lead.  one end to one wire (going to IPAC) one other end to last lead in the chain.

Uh, right?

ie: Need instructions on how to use $10 voltmeter...<sob....>

[Druin]

Put it on ohms and make sure the circuit is not powered (Ipac/whatever else) (can't measure resistance in a powered circuit) and then put a probe on each end of what you want to check for continuity.

If the cheap meter has a diode checker, that may provide a beeping continuity measurement too but looking for resistance is the same....

So you want to make sure you measure almost zero ohms.  A few ohms is expected.

If the connection you're checking is open (not connected somewhere), the resistance will be infinitely high, or show some error on the meter, however it is set up. Mine shows "OL" if it's open.  

To check for shorts between two points, if you see the low resistance between two points, it's shorted.

[rampy]

ohms my man.. ohmeter...

You'll get 0 or near 0  like .001  -  .004 or the like ohms of resistance when the loop of wire(s) is good/closed  i.e. continuity.


if there is an 'open" you'll get "infinity" ohms or a really really high number or possibly an "out of range'

depending on the multimeter...

*srhug*  you shoulda got one that beeps when there's continuity =P  (i wish mine did)

good luck

rmapy

[Valence]

I wouldn't test continuity with the wires connected to the ipac but you are correct about the ohms.

Also you are looking for opens not short when checking for continuity.

To check for shorts (I'm assuming you mean a short from a hot wire to ground) You would put 1 lead on a hot wire (potential hot wire. don't check resistance when its powered)
and the other on the ground. Which lead you use doesn't matter.

Valence