Multimeter to check Light wire

[Zada22]

Hi which Multimeter is best to check Light wire Digital Multimeter or Analog

 

[davesparks]

What do you want to test for? Continuity, voltage current, something else?

 

[Zada22]

What do you want to test for? Continuity, voltage current, something else?

voltage of 3 phase

 

[DPG]

voltage of 3 phase

You could use either an analogue or digital meter for that.

 

[davesparks]

voltage of 3 phase

Voltage can be measured with either an analogue or digital multimeter, analogue just takes a little more skill/knowledge to read the value correctly.

Whatever meter you use make sure it is suitably rated for the application, I think Cat3 600V would be the minimum suitable safety rating. Most decent multimeters intended for this sort of thing tend to be Cat3 1000V/Cat4 600V

 

[pc1966]

As @davesparks has said the most important thing is the meter is safe for use on high energy circuits (i.e. suitable CAT rating) otherwise if you set it to the wrong range or there is a surge during the test it can literally explode in your face.

This is an article written in the USA, so slightly different rules and practices compared to the UK, but the underlying principles are the same. There are a handful of detailed examples of serious accident investigations to provide a feel for the nature of what risks are out there, and there is one very relevant "Hispanic Factory Workers Dies of Burns After Improperly Testing a 480-Volt Electrical Bus Bar" on starting at the bottom paragraph of page 53 and continuing through to nearly the bottom of page 55:

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Electrical/RFArcFlashOccData.ashx?la=en

 

[Zada22]

Thanx for info i will try these and also electronicshacks guide

 

[DPG]

Thanx for info i will try these and also electronicshacks guide

Make sure you are confident in what you are doing. Don't be in any doubt - it's not worth the risk.

 

[Timbo]

Not come across many 3 phase lights!

 

[petervirdee11]

I prefer analog meter ...

 

[telectrix]

can't beat an analogue meter. the ones with valves in give a smoother resonse on the moving coil mechanism. i stilluse one made in 1934.a wipe with furniture polish on the oak case keeps it "smart".

 

[7029 dave]

Still have my analogue IR tester 500V working fine.