I have a multimeter. I want to test to see if my outlet is putting out the right amount of power. I already know that I have to set the meter to voltage (the one with a V and a ~). My question is, does it really matter where I put the needles into the outlet (I have a three prong outlet)?
P.S. What exactly is the third prong used for? I know it's for grounding, but how does the third prong accomplish this?
2007-11-28 14:03:21 · 7 answers · asked by eternalbeginnings 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
The ground is connected back to the ground buss at the electrical panel. If you had an old washing machine, say, that had old & frayed wiring inside of it, and a frayed hot wire inside touched part of the metal chassis, it would trip the breaker rather than energizing the machine & allowing current to flow through a person that might happen to be leaning against it.
If you put the leads of your meter into the flats (doesn't matter which way with alternating current), you'll read 110 VAC (or so). If you then put one lead into the ground, and the other into one of the two flats, you'll either get nothing (that's the white neutral) or 110 VAC (that's the black hot wire).
2007-11-28 14:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
On a 110V outlet look at the face and notice one of the slots is smaller than the other. That is the power side of a polarized outlet. Most outlets today are polarized. Put the black lead into the small slot and the other lead either into the other slot or the round ground hole. Read your meter.
2007-11-28 14:33:44 · answer #2 · answered by rocky5x5 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the dial is set for 500 v. It doesn't matter what side of the plug you put the pins into,You should get 110v on the meter, The 3rd prong is the ground terminal This is what is wired into the box, it is either bare copper or green.
2007-11-28 14:07:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It really does not matter which two slotted holes you put the probes in, but as a point of reference, the longer one is the neutral, and the other one is hot. You can also test from the shorter one to the ground (round) hole. This is a separate lead which is tied to a ground outside the house, on the electric service, and usually ot the water line inside the house.
2007-11-28 14:30:23 · answer #4 · answered by daileyent 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What is the reason why you are questioning this? Are you seeing something that you think is unusual? Essentially, you cannot measure current with most multimeters. Also 220 volt is a nominal voltage, it is not something that you can expect to be exact. The exact voltage depends on many factors that are essentially unimportant here. Does the dryer seem to work properly? Are the wires going to it hot when it is running? You can measure the voltage at the plug with the dryer not running and then running. There should be very little difference between the two readings.
2016-03-14 01:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Set your meter for 'AC Volts`, and an appropriate range, (150V. or more).
There should be:
120V. from small slot to large slot,
120V. from small slot to ground pin,
Set your meter for resistance (Ohms)
There should be very low resistance
(<.01 Ohm), between large slot & Ground pin.
Above instructions for U.S.Standard
NEMA 5-15, 5-20 receptacles.
2007-11-28 15:19:48 · answer #6 · answered by Irv S 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
put it in the flat slots.
2007-11-28 14:11:50 · answer #7 · answered by gotech 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋