Martin Lorton is a solar power and electronics enthusiast. On his YouTube channel he has a number of really excellent video tutorials covering many aspects of electronics and electronics measurement. His 3-part series on how to use a multimeter is one of the best I’ve seen.
Many years ago, in wanting to better understand what my multimeter could do, I bought a book from TAB Books and rented a DVD from a how-to video service. Within pages of the book and minutes of video, I was completely lost, confused, and bored. I made it a few more pages and minutes before I bailed on both. I’m not an electrical engineer and I’m an extremely visual learner. That book and DVD assumed way too much from me and poorly presented everything. I wish Martin’s series had been available to me then. So, if you barely understand how your meter works, and want to get more out of it, but you’re intimidated by a lot of the instruction that’s available, this series is likely your ticket.
In the first installment, Martin covers multimeter safety, how to measure AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) voltage, how to measure battery voltage, car battery/lead acid batteries, how to measure mains electricity/power outlets, and 110/220 voltage. He also addresses what is electricity, how does electricity work, and what is voltage, current, and amps/ampage/ampere.
In the second video, he covers how to take current measurements using a multimeter and current probe. He also examines current measurement, the “Hall effect” DC current transducer, measuring AC and DC current amps with a Hall Effect Current Sensor Transducer, using the Fluke 80i-110s AC/DC Current Probe (100 A), the Fluke i400s AC Current Clamp, the Major Tech MT22 multimeter with current clamp transformation, and the Toptronic T8056 1000A AC/DC tester.
In the third and final video in the series, he covers how to measure resistance and continuity and discusses why power is transmitted from power stations using AC rather than DC power.
If you’d like to see more of Martin’s excellent video tutorials, check out his YouTube channel and his website.
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