Multimeter showing reading when nothing is plugged in

[Klaudmjj]

Thank you for all the replies, I'll definitely wait until I get more experience and knowledge before I use another multi meter at home. Anyways I'm thankful for not getting hurt , definitely learned it the hard way

 

[rapparee]

I started out as a first year apprentice with a similar cheap multimeter as well, at least mine lasted a few weeks, me and the other apprentice at the time mistakenly set the voltage to DC and tried to test 230v AC. I actually forgot about this until I read your thread.

I hope the soldering iron and precision jeweler's screwdrivers last longer

You will maybe need to learn how to use test meters before dabbling again.


Klaud it might be worth your while joining the trainee section of this forum

I believe a lot of moderators and members have joined up as mentors. They will help apprentices with mundane problems such as this.

 

[Taylortwocities]

@Klaudmjj
With respect to whoever gave you the kit. Thank them but (as you'll see from the title) it is meant for electronics and not electrical installation work.

There is very little in the kit that you could use in your work. Even the cutters will not be insulated to a correct level, the screwdrivers might be OK for watch adjustment, but they, and everything else must be VDE-approved or you are going to zap yourself.

Sorry

 

[Pete999]

I want to talk about the context to this first, I'm in my first year at college studying level 2 electrical installation and for Christmas my family got me a toolkit which had some tools , multimeter and a soldering iron. They didn't really know much about things like that and they wanted it to be a surprise so the quality isn't so good, here is the exact tool kit: ZD-961_Tool Kit_Products_Ningbo Zhongdi Industry & Trade Co., Ltd. - http://www.china-zhongdi.com/product/291.html

Okay so I was messing around with the multimeter, turned it to AC voltage, and measured a socket to see if it works. It did, came up with 233v. Then I wanted to measure the amps in the socket, so I changed it to the 10A max , put the test leads inside and theres a big flash , big boom and black around the black test lead and the socket.
I then look at the multimeter, switch it to "20 DC voltage"and it shows a reading although nothing is plugged in , same for "AC volatage" and "Amps" so far the ohms setting is normal.

Now I think what I did wrong, the AMPS had a DC symbol next to and I tried to measure AC or/and the socket is over 10A.

Is there a way to fix my multimeter, or am I better off getting a new one?

Hi Klaud, and welcome, the tool kit someone has kindly bought you, is not really designed for Electrical installation work, more for an electronic hobbyist.
You would be best advised to speak to the Tutors on your course for advice on what tools someone at your stage of learning will require, there are bespoke tool kits you can but , but do come at some cost, best to build your tool kit up as you go, don't be impatient, and ask for inclusion in the Trainee area, there will others like you just starting out, look at the for sale area, or ebay for bargains, there are some offers to be had, good luck and don't get downhearted, by the simple mistake, learn by it, something like that you wont forget, believe I know, I could do you a deal on my tools, but I'm a tool tart and nobody is having those beauties, not even my Son, at least not until I'm rewiring a crematorium, as I go to meet my maker.

 

[Strima]

and everything else must be VDE-approved or you are going to zap yourself.

Just to be pedantic, if safe isolation is carried out do we need to use insulated tooling?
And if they need to be insulated shouldn't they be to BS EN IEC 60900 rather than an other countries specific VDE?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Just be pedantic - Have you ever tried to tighten the terminal screws on a socket using a watch screwdriver?

 

[static zap]

Just be pedantic - Have you ever tried to tighten the terminal screws on a socket using a watch screwdriver?

The upmarket ones with a Tee bar ?

 

[Taylortwocities]

The upmarket ones with a Tee bar ?

Yes, the torque ones.

 

[Rpa07]

Just to be pedantic, if safe isolation is carried out do we need to use insulated tooling?
And if they need to be insulated shouldn't they be to BS EN IEC 60900 rather than an other countries specific VDE?

Don’t try and start a lengthy debate on New Year’s Eve - sit down and have a Vermouth! Happy New year.

In remembering face palming moments - I remember placing a household thermometer into a pan of boiling water only to find that the water was far hotter than the 37 degree max on the thermometer which exploded over the stove and ceiling. I was just glad it was the Red liquid filling and not the mercury. Anyways I’m still alive but still a bit embarrrassed!

 

[Klaudmjj]

Hi Klaud, and welcome, the tool kit someone has kindly bought you, is not really designed for Electrical installation work, more for an electronic hobbyist.

I do sometimes work on electronics as a hobby , but thank you for the advice , I'll most likely build my tool kit over time and learn from my mistakes.

 

[Pete999]

I do sometimes work on electronics as a hobby , but thank you for the advice , I'll most likely build my tool kit over time and learn from my mistakes.

Good Man

 

[Boing89]

Don’t try and start a lengthy debate on New Year’s Eve - sit down and have a Vermouth! Happy New year.

In remembering face palming moments - I remember placing a household thermometer into a pan of boiling water only to find that the water was far hotter than the 37 degree max on the thermometer which exploded over the stove and ceiling. I was just glad it was the Red liquid filling and not the mercury. Anyways I’m still alive but still a bit embarrrassed!

I remember load testing a 3 phase generator on a different load bank to one I was used to. It seemed to have dropped 2 phases so I set about fault finding and diagnosed the generator voltage regulator. I quickly changed it and asked a mate to operate the load bank while I watched the generator gauges. Everything was fine and my boss came over for a final check. I started the generator and turned the load bank switches. My mate pointed out I’d only operated 1 phase and you had to do them all independently on this loadbank. Right then he realised that I’d created the fault myself through incorrect use of the loadbank (as did I) as my boss congratulated me for a job well done.

My mate just gave me a disgusted look and walked away as I took the praise and never owned up until right now, 15 years later.

 

[telectrix]

my biggest mistake was becoming a spark after turning down the offer of a commission in the RAF, I'd have retired @ 55 with a decent pension.

 

[Rpa07]

my biggest mistake was becoming a spark after turning down the offer of a commission in the RAF, I'd have retired @ 55 with a decent pension.

Ok from now on you will only be known, in my household, as Air Commodore Telectrix!
If you look at it in a positive way - you’d probably be dead and pickled by alcohol by now as you’d be on the ‘good’ stuff that you’d keep in the bottom right drawer of the mahogany desk in your war office!

 

[Boing89]

my biggest mistake was becoming a spark after turning down the offer of a commission in the RAF, I'd have retired @ 55 with a decent pension.

Mate, I’m 40 and retired from the RAF with a pension, don’t sell yourself short. (*disclaimer* pension is not enough to live on unfortunately)