Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I would appreciate if somebody could help me in using a Digital Multimeter. My Multimer (Commercial Electric - MAS830B -Green color) has

DC Voltage range (200mV,2V,20V,200V,600V)
DC Current range(20µA,200µA,2mA,20mA,200mA,10A)
AC Voltage range(200V,600V)
Resistance range(200Ω,2kΩ,20kΩ,200kΩ,2MΩ)
Diode

I am right now getting a good range of reading when I place Multimeter at the DC Current range(20mA). I want to know if I am correct. Can you help please..

1. Where do I need to place the rotary switch to select the correct range to be measured?
2. Some reading starts in a value and keeps decreasing. What should I do in this case. Do I need to have the start reading or the ending reading?
3. What is the ideal time to hold the test leads for each test?
4. When do I know the values are ready to add salt to test for the power?

I am doing this test with five different resistors
Here is the link to my project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-f ... #procedure

Thanks.

Although the website URL was cut short, I believe I can help answer your 4 questions as follows:
1. Set the range on the multimeter to a resistance level above the value of the resister to be measured.
2. I would suggest that you use the end reading when the value stops decreasing.
3. Hold the leads until the reading stops fluctuating.
4. Again, since I can't get into the website I can only suggest that you should only vary anything in the experiment until after the reading is stable.

Hi ssrivi,

Please keep your posts about a project in a single forum and a single thread. I saw your questions first in the Grades 6-8 Life, Earth, and Social Science forum and I posted an answer there.

Let us know if your questions were answered.

Sybee

Thanks Sybee, I was not sure, so made a new post since the topic was new. Thanks for letting me know, I will continue to follow my post in a single thread.