What is direct voltage?
Due to the pressure or force DC power flows through a medium or conductor which is called direct voltage. We know that voltage cannot flow through a circuit alone we need some pressure or energy to flow. DC voltage is expressed as V and the unit is volt. Checking voltage using a multimeter is necessary to find fault, final operation, ensuring a proper voltage in the circuit, and others. But how to check DC voltage with a multimeter? There are different ways to check that. Let’s see with a few simple steps.
What is direct current?
Indeed if electrons flow through a medium then we get energy which is called current. We get two types of current in our entire power system alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). Direct current has no sign wave which means direct current cannot change its path it flows in the same direction through a medium or circuit.
Nowadays DC power is used to charge batteries (mobile phone batteries, electrical vehicles, flashlights, etc.). DC power is also used to provide power supply for electrical devices. There are some other places where DC power is used. It is noted that there is no chance of getting AC power in any remote areas. In that place, you can use solar panels on your rooftop to get DC electrical energy from PV panels. It is noted that solar panels are indispensable instead of commercial energy due to solar panel advantages.
How to check DC voltage with a multimeter?
We have been told several times that there are two types of current or voltage alternating and direct. Alternating means it always changes its own direction and direct means it always goes in the same direction. We have shown how to measure AC current using a digital multimeter. Now we are going to show you how to check DC voltage with a multimeter. Basically, we will show you how to test DC voltage with a digital multimeter. To know how to check DC voltage in a multimeter, we have to follow some steps, such as
- Connect your multimeter nob
- Set up your multimeter nob
- Decide your testing device terminal and measure
1. Connect your multimeter nob
We face a question what does a digital multimeter measure? We know that the digital multimeter measures electrical quantity. However, first of all, collect a digital multimeter and you will see that there are three or more holes to place your probe plug. We use a common port (COM) and a V/Ω/Hz port.
Comport is for the negative or black probe and the red (V/Ω/Hz) port is for the positive probe. It is noted that this explanation is similar to all other digital multimeters. You will be glad to hear that this multimeter is able to measure up to 1000-volt DC and 700-volt AC. It is noted that some of them can have different voltage ranges.
2. Set up your multimeter nob
Now set up your multimeter nob in the DC position. It is good to say, suppose you have some 9-volt batteries. In this case, you must select more than that, you may select 20 volts DC. We know that a digital multimeter is designed for two different voltages AC and DC. So, you can easily understand the AC and DC voltage section by looking at the indication of the multimeter. it is noted that we may use the same process how to check AC voltage with a multimeter but we need a bit of change.
3. Decide your testing device terminal and measure
It is good to say that if your device voltage range becomes 50 volts DC then you must select 100 or more. It is because if you select a voltage level below your testing device (battery) voltage range then your device may destroy or give you a different value.
However, we have decided on some 9-volt batteries and we will check that, so, have a look. Now keep your red probe on the battery positive terminal and keep your black probe on the battery negative terminal. If your battery is good then you will get ± 9 volts DC voltmeter reading.
If you change the probe from positive to negative and negative to positive then you will get ± 9 volts (negative voltage). You will see these voltages in your digital multimeter display. It is noted that if your 9-volt battery shows below 8.80 volts then you have to understand that you should use another battery instead of it. If you use it then you may get low output. So, this is the simple way to test DC voltage with multimeter. You may easily be checking DC voltage with a multimeter by applying this technique.
How to read DC voltage on an analog multimeter?
How to read DC voltage on a multimeter? We have seen above that how to check DC voltage with a multimeter but we will see now how to check DC voltage with an analog multimeter. There is a simple process to measure DC voltage in a multimeter (analog multimeter). So, let’s see step by step how to read DC voltage on an analog multimeter.
- First of all, select an analog multimeter and connect the black probe in comport (COM) and the red probe in the positive hole of the analog multimeter.
- Before something you must select your analog multimeter scale in a zero position.
- Select your analog multimeter nob in a DC voltage pointer. In this case, if you select a 3.5-volt battery then you have to select at least 10 volt DC range in your meter.
- Now keep your red probe in the battery positive terminal and keep the black probe in the battery negative terminal and see the voltage in your multimeter.
- You should remember that if you select 10 volts range in your analog multimeter then you will read 10 volts scale.
- If you select 50 volts range then you will read 50 volts scale.
- If you select 250 volts range then you will read 250 volts scale.
Why we should select a maximum voltage range rather than a battery?
We should select a maximum voltage range for than battery. Suppose you have selected a device that can carry 100 volts. In this case, you have to select more than 100 volts like 250, or 300 volts. If you select 100 volts or less than 100 then your multimeter may show overload and you will not get the right voltage measurement value.
Another example is if you have a 5-volt DC battery then you have to select at least a 10-volt DC pointer in your analog or digital multimeter. Otherwise, you will not get the actual measurement value. Whenever, you measure voltage, current, and resistance then you must select this way in your digital or analog multimeter.
How to differentiate DC and AC?
To be familiar with DC and AC, need to follow two simple things. In this case, there are two main authentic options for it. First of all, you have to look at the symbol of the voltage source. Suppose AC voltage is denoted by V with the “∿” symbol and the DC voltage sign on the multimeter is denoted by V with a dashed line over the V.
Another way is to measure voltage using a multimeter. A question comes to mind what are the types of multimeters? There are two types of multimeters, you may use analog or digital multimeters to figure out the voltage type. So, let’s see how to check DC voltage with a multimeter with an easy technique.
Final thought
Digital multimeters and analog multimeters both are essential electrical measuring devices. These devices are used more to measure electrical quantity. We have shown here how to use a multimeter to test DC voltage. We have shown how to measure DC voltage in the analog multimeter. We hope you will be happy with us through our unique information about how to check DC voltage with a multimeter. So, get in touch with openread to get more innovative things.