Troubleshooting DC Circuits with a Multimeter

Presented by Steve Zimmerman, Zimmerman Marine Inc.

1. Terminology
1.1. Voltage – analogous to water pressure.
1.2. Amperage – analogous to water flowing in a pipe
1.3. Resistance – analogous to a restriction in the pipe. Measured as ohms
1.4. Continuity – analogous to a valve letting water flow through.
1.5. Voltage drop – analogous to the drop in water pressure that happens through a long
hose

2. Voltage: is voltage present and what value?

2.1. Set meter for V, and choose AC or DC.
2.1.1. If testing AC use utmost caution – shock hazard!
2.1.2. For DC polarity matters, red to positive.
2.1.3. Trace the circuit from the battery and test for voltage at each switch/breaker.

3. Amperage: how much current is flowing through the circuit

3.1. Requires a clamp type meter
3.2. Least useful for troubleshooting

4. Continuity: Is there a connection, can current pass through?

4.1. Usually used to test a switch, a circuit breaker, or a fuse
4.2. Must not be any voltage present when testing for continuity
4.3. Meter set on Ω
4.4. Usually 0 resistance or infinite resistance. 0 resistance, full continuity, often
accompanied by a sound and 0.0 display. No continuity, open circuit, usually displayed
as 0L

5. Voltage Drop: a reduction in voltage as a result of resistance in the circuit.

Tracing a DC circuit

Checking voltage
Checking voltage at the circuit breaker…this side is “hot”, connected to the battery.

This side of the breaker has no voltage, the breaker is “open.”

 The breaker is closed, and is working, and now shows voltage on this side of the breaker.

Checking for continuity, the supply of voltage must be turned OFF (battery switch is off). With the circuit
breaker in the OFF position, there is infinite resistance between the terminals, or no connection.
Now, with the circuit breaker in the ON (or closed) position, there is NO resistance. In other words, the
contacts are connected, the breaker or switch is working. We say there is continuity.