How to test voltage on an electrical outlet

This is both a review video and an instructional video for the harbor freight Centech multimeter. Free by coupon or very low cost by wallet! Comment your questions, Thank you!
If your lights are burning out faster than usual, test your voltage, you may have higher than normal voltage!
DO NOT ATTEMPT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE, INJURY THAT MAY OCCUR!

[@johnburns4673]

Thank you for the information. I was "brushing up" on my testing skills to make sure I knew what I was doing and watched 3 other videos that did not even mention the other positive lead jack and what not to do with it. good job!

[@multidimensionalexploratio3985]

Thanks for taking the time and effort to post this. It actually did help. I have the same multi-meter. When I turn the dial to the same setting as yours it sits there at -02.9 until I touch the lead at which point it zeros out. Who knows. lol

[@wonnie46403]

very helpful.I have the same multimeter. I've been wanting to learn how to chx my outlets with it.so
thxs again for ur video

[@4phunk161]

Thanks! Have had my unit for like ten years, first time using it!

[@RuggeriDIY]

Glad I could help!

[@persianchris2451]

Dude, excellent safety recommendations! Especially with the "use one hand to avoid making the circuit" or whatever.... thanks

[@RuggeriDIY]

thank you!

[@briando6027]

Thanks! Have this same thing and had questions that you answered.

[@RuggeriDIY]

Thank you!~\

[@Indianna408]

ok, I watched other videos and this was the tops!

[@RuggeriDIY]

4 years later I thank you! (I just saw this)

[@peacelove8941]

The video I was looking for. Thank u for making.

[@AngelaT0763]

Thanks! I wasn't sure which jack to use on the red wire - you solved my problem!

[@bobbylong3312]

Helped a lot. Thanks!

[@grabba73]

i got two of them, I gave one to my neighbor and taught them how to check their alternator, I changed their alternator last month and saved them atleast a hundred bucks. all my leads are tight though...

[@mikerossi8118]

thank you for the video need to do simply testing and washed the manual when I left it in my pants :-) simply needed a reminder on how the leads are attached very helpful video

[@thervers2140]

thank you. very helpful.

[@m3trella97]

thanks for your help, got the answer i was looking for

[@shaunbeard593]

Hi in uk our outlets have a switch should it be on or off as well with main trip thanks

[@jaystegall7235]

Good job!

[@wllm2007]

what happens if you do not get the normal 120 v? e..g. 80v?and how do u know if the electricity going to the socket is hindered ? will the meter show something different ?
thnks

[@clinthunt5933]

household voltage constantly fluctuating anywhere from 121 v to 123 v and everything in between

[@ardx1]

thanks for this. *liked

[@erinobrien8408]

Could someone please do a basic intro using an analog multimeter or point me in the direction of one already done? Thanks!

[@jamesgallego1542]

Thanks. That's really helpful. Can you review how to check a light switch? Appreciate it:)

[@RuggeriDIY]

if you still need me to do one, let me know!

[@yazmo109]

mine the black wire blew up my face, multimeter still work but i have no more wire
bcuz i left the red on 10 A i watch another video but he dint mention it lol, so yea your video is awesome now i know

[@clinthunt5933]

have the same meter from Harbor Freight for free it's a great little meter

[@cerea4983]

Do I need to turn off fusebox switch first? If you said so, I missed it. Thanks

[@RuggeriDIY]

If you are doing any work on the outlet, then yes. If you are checking power reading then no it must have power to read it.

[@Anttiwaltable]

how do use this unit to measure a 30A 250V

[@RuggeriDIY]

you will have to select a higher voltage range

[@ArunSerrao]

I did a stupid thing by actually moving it over to the 10A max but forgot to see there was a DC sign and I shorted it :(

[@jamesgallego1542]

Hi. I have the same one ... still on its original packaging but I need to break it out to check a light switch that's lightly shocking everyone so when you have time can you do a tutorial on that? Thanks

[@RuggeriDIY]

I could,(a year later lol) where is it shocking people, if it still is

[@MRSOMTHINBASIC]

I just got my free one today #freebees

[@flynn88MN]

So should I set my unit at ~V500 or ~v200 for a basic socket? thanks.

[@jomar6209]

200

[@kuehnel16]

Hell thats a collector's item now. Free , the good ole days of Harbor freight. Damn its really went to shit .

[@RuggeriDIY]

sorry so late but yes! I now have fluke and klein meters but this did the job back then!

[@idsoftware7]

130 is it normal reading ?? or I have to call my electrician ?

[@RuggeriDIY]

maybe a bit high. I would check with a different meter and if it is still high I would say there is a voltage reg. problem

[@katiemulherin95]

How do you use the digital multimeter do test your cigarette lighter in your car

[@katiemulherin95]

I need help because I cannot charge my phone and when I need my GPS on my phone it drains my phone battery someone tampered with it idk if it works at all

[@RuggeriDIY]

you can change the reading to DC current, usually looks like a dotted line then a solid line, ac current is a wavy line, which would be 120v in your house, DC is 12 volts. check continuity to ground in the outlet in the car and make sure there is no short.

[@RuggeriDIY]

@@katiemulherin95 additionally, check voltage by switching to dc hold one lead on the power and another on the negative, should read 12 volts if not, it is faulty

[@rickmcbride2666]

$5.99 list price.

[@fishingtheeast4898]

I was doing that the other day my meeter was reading 000 set on 750 ACV

[@RuggeriDIY]

sounds like the leads are not all the way on?

[@ahmedmcfc6027]

hi

[@thatcrazywolf]

these are not really safe for any kind of high energy cicuit

[@persianchris2451]

Audio in this video sucks.... perfect example of why you should use a dynamic microphone if you aren't advanced enough to have an EQ/Compressor setup on the way in...

[@RuggeriDIY]

yea, old android phone a LONGGGGG time ago, it is what it is! lol

[@berkeleycowboy]

I rated the video low because its impossible to see the meter dial configuration.

[@rigman0615]

get to the point