Tips for measuring 220V current with a multimeter that not everyone knows

Things to remember before measuring 220V current

Most multimeters have multiple voltage ranges, up to 1000V. When measuring 220V current, you should choose a range higher than this for the meter to operate safely and give accurate results.

Make sure the test probes are firmly inserted into the circuit to be tested. If the connection is loose, the current can be interrupted, creating electrical pulses, damaging both the circuit and the multimeter.

A common mistake is to use the current scale to measure voltage. This can cause the fuse to blow and damage the circuit inside the meter. In particular, if a voltage above 250V is applied to the current scale, the fuse will not be able to protect the components and the risk of damage is very high.

How to measure 220V DC current with a multimeter

To test 220V DC current, you need to prepare a multimeter and the circuit to be measured. The implementation process can be done in the following steps:

Step 1: Switch the meter scale to DC mode, suitable for measuring DC current.

Step 2: Select the voltage scale at 250V, this is a safe level and accurate enough when working with 220V voltage.

Step 3: Insert the red probe into the positive (+) pole and the black probe into the negative (-) pole of the circuit to ensure the correct measurement direction.

Step 4: Connect the meter in series with the circuit to be tested.

Step 5: Turn on the circuit and observe the results displayed on the meter.

If the measurement is higher than 220V, it means that the power source meets the requirements; if lower, the voltage is not up to standard and may affect the performance of the device.

Note: Choosing a scale that is too low will cause the needle to overshoot, while a scale that is too high will result in inaccurate results. At the same time, if you measure DC voltage but leave it in AC mode, the meter will report incorrectly and sometimes twice as high as the actual value, which can damage the device.

How to measure 220V AC current with a multimeter

Things to note before measuring

Before starting, turn off the power to connect the test leads to the location to be tested. When the connection is complete, turn the power back on and start measuring. During the operation, avoid touching the test leads to ensure safety. After reading and recording the results, turn off the power and remove the test leads from the circuit. 

Do not plug the test leads into the 15A AC port and do not leave the meter in the mA or Ω scale when working with 220V voltage. In addition, if you accidentally switch to DC measurement mode while measuring AC voltage, the results will be incorrect and the meter may be damaged.

Implementation steps

Step 1: Switch the multimeter to the AC scale to measure alternating current.

Step 2: Insert the black probe into the COM port, the red probe into the (+) port.

Step 3: Select the 250V level, suitable for accurately measuring 220V voltage.

Step 4: Place the two probes at the two points to be tested, making sure they are parallel to each other.

Step 5: Read the displayed result. If the value is close to or greater than 220V, the power source is stable; if lower, the power source may be weak or substandard.

With some types of meters, the AC and DC scales are distinguished by symbols. You can turn the knob to V+ to measure 220V AC voltage and V- for DC voltage.

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Which type of multimeter should be chosen to measure 220V current?

To measure 220V current accurately and safely, choosing the right type of multimeter is very important. There are many models on the market with different features and prices, so you can consider based on your needs. 

Prioritize choosing a meter with a maximum measurement range of about 1000V to flexibly work with many different voltage levels. In addition, quality and durability are also notable factors, because an accurate measuring device will give you more peace of mind during use.

Some of the multimeter brands that are trusted by many people include Hioki, Kyoritsu or Sanwa, which are famous for their stability and longevity.

You can choose a Hioki multimeter like the Hioki 3030-10 model, with DCV and ACV scales up to 600 V, supporting effective measurement of DC, AC voltage and resistance. This is an easy-to-use, durable line, meeting CAT III safety standards, and is being distributed by EMIN in Vietnam.

In addition, if you prefer to use analog charts and want to measure AC voltage more accurately, the Kyoritsu 1109S model is also a good choice. It has an AC and DC measuring range up to 1000 V, measures DC current, measures resistance, and is officially distributed by EMIN