1. Select the item to be measured: This may be anything where the resistance needs to be measured and estimate what the resistance may be.
  2. Insert the probes into the required sockets Often a digital multimeter will have several sockets for the test probes. Insert these or check they are already in the correct sockets. Typically these might be labelled COM for common and the other where the ohms sign is visible. This is normally combined with the voltage measurement socket.
  3. Turn on the multimeter
  4. Select the required range The digital multimeter needs on and the required range selected. The range selected should be such that the best reading can be obtained. Normally the multimeter function switch will be labelled with the maximum resistance reading. Choose the one where the estimated value of resistance will be under but close to the maximum of the range. In this way the most accurate resistance measurement can be made.
  5. Make the measurement With the multimeter ready to make the measurement the probes can be applied to the item that needs to be measured. The range can be adjusted if necessary.
  6. Turn off the multimeter Once the resistance measurement has been made, the multimeter can be turned off to preserve the batteries. It is also wise to turn the function switch to a high voltage range. In this way if the multimeter is used to again for another type of reading then no damage will be caused if it is inadvertently used without selecting the correct range and function.

Digital multimeters are ideal pieces of test equipment for measuring resistance. They are relatively cheap and they offer a high level of accuracy and general performance.

General precautions when measuring resistance

As with any measurement, when measuring resistance, there are some precautions to observe. In this way damage to the multimeter can be prevented, and more accurate measurements can be made.


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Measuring resistance with a multimeter is very easy and convenient. When looking at how to measure resistance, it is quite straightforward for both analogue and digital multimeters and the process is virtually the same in both instances, although readings may not be quite as easy to take if the resistance is high and the measurement needs to be taken where the calibrations are close together. Nevertheless whatever test equipment is used , resistance is easy to measure.

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