Troubleshooting Techniques with a Digital Multimeter

A Digital Multimeter helps identify faults in electrical and electronic circuits. Some common troubleshooting techniques are:

1. Check Power Supply (Voltage Test)

   • Measure voltage at the power source (battery, adapter, outlet).

   • If there is no voltage, the problem is with the power supply.

2. Check Continuity (Broken Wires / Connections)

   • Use continuity mode (beep test) to check if a wire, switch, or fuse is intact.

   • If there’s no beep, the wire or component is open/broken.

3. Check Resistance (Component Testing)

   • Measure resistor values to ensure they match their rating.

   • High or infinite resistance may indicate a damaged component.

4. Check Current Flow

   • Place the DMM in series with the circuit.

   • If no current flows, a component may be faulty or the path is open.

5. Check Diodes and Transistors

   • Use diode mode to test if a diode conducts in one direction only.

   • For transistors, check junctions for correct forward/reverse bias readings.

6. Isolate the Fault

   • Test one section of the circuit at a time (input, mid, output).

   • Compare readings with expected values to locate the faulty part.