Voltage in the socket 220 V: how to check the network with a multimeter tester, safety precautions

If you need to find out if there is current in the outlet, you can use a probe, which is an ordinary screwdriver, or a special device - a multimeter. In another way, it is called a tester. Both are fine, but the probe will only show if there is current or not. To check the presence of current and voltage in the outlet, you must use a specially designed multimeter.

Varieties of electrical measuring instruments

Electrical measuring devices include devices that measure various current characteristics. It is not only his tension, but also resistance and strength. Each quantity has its own device.

There is also a universal technique - a multimeter, with which you can determine various parameters of the electric current.

According to the type of execution, these devices are divided into two types:

1. Electronic. Show the result of the measurements on a special display.
2. Analog. They use an arrow.

Also, electrical measuring instruments differ in their sensitivity and error. Devices with the highest sensitivity, but at the same time displaying measurement results with the smallest error, are classified as professional.

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Voltage measurement methods

If it is necessary not only to measure the voltage with a multimeter in the outlet, but also to check if there is a current, a professional device should be used. Even someone who has nothing to do with an electrician can determine the presence of current and voltage with a multimeter.

To measure the voltage at the outlet with a multimeter, you just need to turn on the deviceand then customize it:

1. For an electrical network used in everyday life, the switch should be set to 750 V.
2. Immediately after that, three zeros can be seen on the screen. This means that the device is turned on and ready to use.
3. Now you can take the black and red test leads and insert them into the holes in the socket.
4. After both probes are inserted into the socket, a number will be displayed on the multimeter screen.

Of course, almost every person living in Russia knows what the voltage in the electrical network should be - 220 V. However, the multimeter will refute this claim by showing a different figure. In particular, the device screen may display the number "218", "216", "223".

The fact is that 220 V is the average value of the alternating current in the power grid. According to GOST, it may have deviations of several volts. The maximum allowable deviation rate is 10%, therefore, even if the voltage in the outlet after measurement turns out to be a couple of units less than 200 V, there is no need to worry about this. The only thing that is important to take care of before checking the voltage of the 220 V network with a multimeter is that both probes are well insulated.

If the insulation is damaged in any way, then such a multimeter is unusable. In this case, there is a high probability of getting an electric shock. You also need to take your time when choosing the operating mode of the multimeter. If you accidentally set the device to measure a different current characteristic, it may become unusable.

Safety engineering

To test the outlet with a multimeter, it is important to observe safety precautions, even though that such a device is classified as safe, since the power source is often conventional batteries. The multimeter itself has overload protection insidethat may occur during operation. But still, if you do not follow the rules, it can quickly fail.

When working with the device, it is important to observe the following recommendations:

1. If the pre-voltage is not known, the switch must be set to the maximum range.
2. To avoid damage to the circuit inside the device, do not apply a current whose voltage exceeds 750 V.
3. It is forbidden to touch the elements of the electrical network with bare hands. Special gloves must be worn before work.
4. Before measuring the internal resistance of the circuit, turn off the power and make sure that the capacitors are completely discharged.
5. If it is necessary to replace the battery, first turn off the device and disconnect the probes. The fuse is replaced in the same way.
6. Before starting to work with the device, you need to make sure that the housing cover is tightly closed.

Symbols

Special symbols are used to mark the position of the switch:

1. If the switch is in the "OFF" position, then the device is turned off.
2. If you need to measure the voltage in the DC network, you must switch the device to the "DCV" mode.
3. Before testing transistors, the device must be switched to the "hFE" mode.
4. A horseshoe-like symbol is used to measure current resistance.
5. Before ringing, the switch must be set so that it points to a symbol in the form of a circle, from which three waves seem to emanate.
6. DCA is a DC current measurement.
7. ACV - AC current measurement.

Electrical measuring devices such as multimeters are good in that they can be used to determine not only voltage, but also other characteristics of the current. They are also used to "ring" circuits, to test semiconductor devices, to determine the capacitance of a capacitor.

To measure this or that parameter, you just need to switch the multimeter to the appropriate mode, and then attach the probes to the desired section of the circuit. On analog instruments, as a rule, there are three scales, each of which corresponds to a certain parameter. Electronic devices simply display the measurement result on the screen, so they are easier to work with.

It is not difficult to measure the voltage with a multimeter, because this device itself is very easy to operate. But if you still have any problems, you should look at the instructions for use, where the measurement process is described in detail.