Rev 1.

Core Skills Training

How to use a Digital Multimeter

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Course Prerequisites
• This course has no prerequisites, but may be used as a
prerequisite for other courses.
• This course assumes the learner has basic knowledge of
electricity.
• Due to the number of graphics in this course, you are
encouraged to print the study material to view offline.
• Click on “Print Doc” at the top of this page to view the
PDF. You may save the document to your computer
and print it.

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Course Introduction
• A Digital Multimeter (DMM) is a piece of test equipment
used for measuring voltage, current, continuity, resistance
and other electrical quantities.
• In this course, you will learn:
– Basic safety precautions when using a multimeter,
– Important terms and symbols used when working with
electricity,
– Basic multimeter functions,
– Voltage measurement,
– Continuity measurement,
– Resistance measurement.
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Safety Precautions
• Never ground yourself when taking electrical measurements.
– Do not touch exposed metal pipes, outlets, etc. which might be at ground
potential; keep your body isolated from ground with rubber shoes, rubber
mats or any approved insulating material.
– It is recommended you wear gloves, protective eyewear and flame-
retardant clothing.
• Never use a multimeter to measure voltage beyond it’s rating.
– Always set the function switch correctly to measure AC or DC voltage.
– Never measure Resistance or Continuity with the power on.
– Follow all Safety instructions and precautions for your brand of multimeter.
• When connecting the probes to a power source, handle the
insulated part. NEVER touch the metal part with your bare hand.

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Safety Precautions
Failure to operate a multimeter properly can result in
damage to the meter, personal injury or death.

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Terms and Symbols

• When working with electricity or a multimeter, you should
be able to recognize the industry’s standard symbols.
• Some of these symbols are used for safety while others
give information on electrical measurements.
• The following three pages list the most common symbols
and their meanings or functions.

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Terms and Symbols

• Caution, risk of electric shock
• Caution, refer to accompanying documents
• Equipment protected throughout by Double Insulation
(Class II)
•
~ Alternating Current (AC)
• Direct Current (DC)
• Ground

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Terms and Symbols

• V~ (AC Voltage)
– This multimeter function measures the Voltage for alternating current
(AC). Wall outlets use AC voltage.
• V (DC Voltage)
– This multimeter function measures the Voltage for direct current (DC).
Printers and computers use DC Voltage for most of their components.
• Ω (Ohms) – Resistance
– This multimeter function measures how easily current flows through an
object.
• Ω (Ohms) – Continuity
– This multimeter function verifies whether a circuit is open or closed. An
open circuit cannot conduct electricity – a closed circuit can.

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Terms and Symbols

• A (Amps)
– This multimeter function measures current (flow of electricity). This
measurement is rarely used in our printers.
• VΩ (Voltage/Ohms
– This is jack on a multimeter. When measuring Voltage, Continuity and
Resistance, the Red test probe is always connected to this jack.
– The VΩ symbols are always present next to this jack, however, other
symbols may appear depending on the meter – ex. VΩmA.
• COM (Common)
– This is jack on a multimeter. The Black probe is always connected to this
port for taking measurements.

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• On the next page is a picture of a generic multimeter where
the functions and connections and are labeled.
• The less commonly used areas are illustrated in gray –
these will not be covered in this course.
• Do you recognize some of the symbols from the previous
pages?
• Use the “BACK” button at the top right of your computer
screen to go back in the study material if you want to
review the symbols.

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Basic Multimeter Functions

Display

AC Voltage

DC Voltage

Ohms (Resistance,
Continuity)

Function Diode Check

switch
Voltage, Continuity,
Resistance Probe jack
Amps

Current (Amps) Common

Connector Probe jack

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• All multimeters have the same basic functions, however, some are
capable of performing advanced measurements and will look slightly
different.
• Despite this, there are two basic types of multimeters:
– Switched Range – you have to set the appropriate range for the desired
measurement.
– Auto-ranging – the meter automatically adjusts itself to the appropriate
range for the desired measurement.
• An example of each of these is shown on the next page.

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Basic Multimeter Functions

Auto-ranging Switched Range

Select the function and the Select both the function and the
multimeter will automatically set the correct range to be measured.
range values for the measurement.

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• The auto-ranging multimeter is the easiest to use.
• If you have a switched range multimeter, however, follow these
guidelines to set the appropriate range:
– The best range is the smallest working range in which a reading is
obtained.
– If you don’t know the approximate voltage to read, start with the highest
range first and work your way down to the smallest possible range.
– When measuring voltage, an “OL” on the display means the reading is
“Open Loop” and your range is too low.
– If you know the voltage range to read, select the appropriate range with
the function switch.
• The next page shows examples.

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• Suppose you are are reading DC Voltage in a printer. You are not sure
what the voltage is, so you start with the highest setting first (1000V).
• Try each range until you get an accurate reading.
• For our example, the Third Setting results in the most accurate
reading.
First Setting Second Setting Third Setting Fourth Setting

1000V 200V 20V 2000mV

Too High Too High Correct Too Low

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• If you already knew the voltage would read 20V or less, you could
select 20V on the function switch and take the reading.

20V

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• When you are ready to use the multimeter, connect the Red and Black
probes (test probes) to the meter.
– The Black probe always connects to the COM jack.
– The Red probe connects to the VΩ jack to read Voltage, Continuity
and Resistance.

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Basic Multimeter Functions

• Next, set the function switch to the measurement you want to read
(and the correct range if using a switched range meter).
• The following pages will explain how to take various measurements
using the multimeter.

V (DC Voltage)
V~ (AC Voltage)

Ω (Ohms) – Continuity,
Resistance

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Voltage Measurement
• How to read AC Voltage:
– Plug the Black test probe into the COM jack and plug the Red test probe
into the VΩ jack.
– Set the function/range switch to V~ (AC Volts) – set the correct range!
– Insert the free ends of the red and black probes in the wall outlet. With AC
Voltage, it does not matter which probe is placed in the hot and neutral slot.
– Power must be ON to take this reading.

Hot – smaller of the two slots

Neutral – larger of the two
slots
Ground – small circular
opening

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Voltage Measurement
• Real life Example: US Wall Outlet Voltage
– Below we connected our Red and Black probes to the multimeter and set
the function switch to read V~ (AC Voltage).
– The multimeter is auto-ranging, so we didn’t have to set the range.
– Next, we inserted the probes into the wall outlet (with the power ON) and
recorded the reading.

Do not let the two probes touch or you will cause a short circuit!

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Voltage Measurement
• Applications for AC Voltage measurements: (others not listed may
apply)
– Check the voltage at an outlet,
– Check the voltage through a power cord,
– Check certain voltages in the Printer’s Low Voltage Power Supply.

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Voltage Measurement
• Before reading printer DC Voltage, you must gather the following
information from the service manual, training material or other
documents:
– The voltage measurement you should expect,
– Any change in the voltage that you should observe (depending on
how/what is being tested),
– The connector name/number to test on the circuit board,
– The specific connector PIN number(s) to measure.
• Typically, you are measuring DC Voltage across two specific PINs on
a cable while it is connected to a circuit board.

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Voltage Measurement
• To find the correct PINs to test, look on the circuit board above and
below where the connector is located.
• You should see a “1” or a small triangle () pointing to a specific PIN.
This will indicate PIN 1.
– Once you know the location of PIN 1, count over to the PIN numbers
specified in the documentation to perform the test.

2 3 4 5 6

PIN 1

** PIN 1 is a guide to find the correct PINs to test on a connector. PIN 1 itself may or may not be
used in that specific test.
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Voltage Measurement
• When measuring DC voltage, it does matter which probe is plugged in
the Positive and Negative.
– Red – always plugged into positive.
– Black – always plugged into negative.
• If the probes are positioned backwards, the polarity of the reading will
be the opposite of what it should be.
• With most voltage measurements on our printers, however, you will
connect the Red probe to one PIN with voltage and connect the Black
probe to Ground.

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Voltage Measurement
• How to read DC Voltage:
– Plug the Black test probe into the COM jack and plug the Red test probe
into the VΩ jack.
– Set the function/range switch to V (DC Volts) – set the correct range!
– Insert the free ends of the Red and Black probes in the correct cable PINs
to be measured.
– Power must be ON to take this reading.

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Voltage Measurement
• Real life Example: Lexmark C750 Bin Full Sensor
– To check the voltage of the Bin Full Sensor in the printer, we need the
following information from the service manual:
• The voltage measurement expected: +5V dc
• Any change in the voltage we should observe (depending on how/what is
being tested): none mentioned
• The connector name/number to test on the circuit board: J11 on the Engine
Board
• The specific connector PIN number(s) to measure: PIN 1 +5V dc and PIN 3
ground

Service Manual Information

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Voltage Measurement
• Applications for DC Voltage measurements: (others not listed may
apply)
– Check the voltage on circuit board connectors,
– Check the change in voltage from sensors.

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Voltage Measurement
– Below, we connected our Red and Black probes to the multimeter and set
the function switch to read V (DC Voltage).
– The multimeter is auto-ranging, so we didn’t have to set the range.
– Next, we located PIN 1 (+5V dc) and PIN 3 (ground) on the Engine Board.
– We inserted the probes into the cable at PIN 1 (+5V dc – Red probe) and
PIN 3 (ground – Black probe) and recorded the measurement with the
power ON.

PIN 3 PIN 1

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Continuity Measurement
• Before checking Continuity, be aware of the following:

– For your safety, power must be OFF when checking for Continuity.

– The multimeter sends a small amount of voltage through the test probes
during the measurement, so be careful what they touch.
– For the test, the cable can either be removed from the printer or unplugged
at both ends. This will reduce the chance of feedback from the other
circuits. If at all possible, it is recommended to remove the cable.
– A reading of “OL” indicates an open circuit.
– A reading of zero or any numerical value indicates that the circuit is
closed.
– A closed circuit can conduct electricity. An open circuit cannot.

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Continuity Measurement
• How to read Continuity:
– Plug the Black test probe into the COM jack and the Red test probe into
the VΩ jack.
– Set the function/range switch to Ω (Ohms).
– Connect one probe (Red or Black) to one wire and the other probe to the
opposite end of the same wire.
– Check the measurement to see if it reads “OL” or a numerical value.

“OL” = Circuit Open Numerical Value = Circuit Closed

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Continuity Measurement
• Real life Example: Printer Cable check
– Below, we connected our Red and Black probes to the multimeter and set
the function switch to read Ω (Ohms).
– The multimeter is auto-ranging, so we didn’t have to set the range.
– We removed the cable from the printer and inserted one probe into each
end of the cable making sure we had the probes touching the same wire.
– We repeated this until we checked all of the wires for continuity. The
reading indicates that this wire has a closed circuit.

Tip – if the probes are too big to fit in

the opening of the cable, try inserting a
small paper clip or staple into the cable
hole and touching the probe to it.

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Continuity Measurement
• Applications for Continuity measurements: (others not listed may
apply)
– Check printer cables for breaks in the wires,
– Check for continuity between printer options,
– Check fuses.

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Resistance Measurement
• Before checking Resistance, be aware of the following:

– For your safety, power must be OFF when checking for Resistance.

– The multimeter sends a small amount of voltage through the test probes
during the measurement, so be careful what they touch.
– A reading of “OL” indicates infinite resistance.
– A reading of zero or any numerical value indicates the resistance value in
Ohms.

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Resistance Measurement
• How to read Resistance:
– Plug the Black test probe into the COM jack and the Red test probe into
the VΩ jack.
– Set the function/range switch to Ω (Ohms).
– Touch the probes to different sections of the object to be tested.
– If a numerical reading displays, this is the resistance in Ohms.
– If the LCD displays "OL", the resistance is beyond the selected range. Try
a larger range (if using a switched range meter). If you continue to get an
“OL” reading, the resistance is infinite and current cannot flow.

Objects with high resistance are good

“Insulators” because they resist the
flow of electricity.
Objects with low resistance are good
“Conductors” because they allow
electricity to flow freely.

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Resistance Measurement
• Real life Example: C750 BOR Motor Cable short
– Below, we connected our Red and Black probes to the multimeter and set
the function switch to read Ω (Ohms).
– The multimeter is auto-ranging, so we didn’t have to set the range.
– We powered the printer OFF and unplugged the BOR cable from the
Engine Board and inserted one probe into the cable opening and the other
to the printer chassis.
– The reading should be about 100kOhms on each wire.

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Resistance Measurement
• Applications for Resistance measurements: (others not listed may
apply)
– Check for high/low resistance in cables,
– Check for high/low resistance on surfaces.

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How to use a Digital Multimeter

This concludes the module on
How to use a Digital Multimeter

You may review the study material again or continue to the

test questions in the next phase of this course.

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