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mike7411@gmail.com
electronics forum beginner
Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject:
small current
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I'm trying to measure some small current (probably 25 mA) using a Fluke
75 Series II multimeter. I have the black probe in the COM slot and
the red probe in the 300 mA slot. Then I connected the red and black
tips to the same node of my circuit and turned the knob to Amperes DC.
Is that right?
It keeps saying .01 - I think it might be in amperes. Is there a way
to get it in mA?
Thanks. |
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PeterSmith1954@googlemail
electronics forum addict
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
Posts: 79
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:31 pm Post subject:
Re: small current
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mike7411@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | I'm trying to measure some small current (probably 25 mA) using a Fluke
75 Series II multimeter. I have the black probe in the COM slot and
the red probe in the 300 mA slot. Then I connected the red and black
tips to the same node of my circuit and turned the knob to Amperes DC.
Is that right?
It keeps saying .01 - I think it might be in amperes. Is there a way
to get it in mA?
Thanks.
|
You say you are connecting the probes to the same node in the circuit.
Have you opened the circuit so you can insert your meter? Your meter
has to be *in* the current path - you won't measure anything if you
simply probe across a piece of wire :)
That aside, if you have your meter set on 300mA (autoselected by the
probe slot on some meters), it will read in mA already.
That tells me you probably haven't connected your meter up properly.
Cheers
PeteS |
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John Larkin
electronics forum Guru
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 4320
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:32 pm Post subject:
Re: small current
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On 19 Jul 2006 13:13:47 -0700, mike7411@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | I'm trying to measure some small current (probably 25 mA) using a Fluke
75 Series II multimeter. I have the black probe in the COM slot and
the red probe in the 300 mA slot. Then I connected the red and black
tips to the same node of my circuit and turned the knob to Amperes DC.
Is that right?
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No. Spice works that way, but Flukes don't. A Fluke measures the
current that flows *through* it.
John |
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Chris
electronics forum Guru
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 723
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:29 pm Post subject:
Re: small current
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mike7411@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | I'm trying to measure some small current (probably 25 mA) using a Fluke
75 Series II multimeter. I have the black probe in the COM slot and
the red probe in the 300 mA slot. Then I connected the red and black
tips to the same node of my circuit and turned the knob to Amperes DC.
Is that right?
It keeps saying .01 - I think it might be in amperes. Is there a way
to get it in mA?
Thanks.
|
Hi, Mike. If you open the node so the current is flowing through the
Fluke, you're doing it right. It's autoranging, so it should shioft
down to the 200mA scale automatically.
It's also possible you popped the fuse. That would be my first guess.
Open up the meter and take a look. Be sure to order a spare if you
need to replace it.
Good luck
Chris |
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Puckdropper
electronics forum addict
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 73
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:58 am Post subject:
Re: small current
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"PeteS" <PeterSmith1954@googlemail.com> wrote in
news:1153341101.680076.291050@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
| Quote: |
You say you are connecting the probes to the same node in the circuit.
Have you opened the circuit so you can insert your meter? Your meter
has to be *in* the current path - you won't measure anything if you
simply probe across a piece of wire :)
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*snip*
It seemed to me that when I connected my meter set for Amps as I do for
volts it basically said "Give me all the current you got, I can take
it." Good way to blow a fuse.
This is before I found out the amp meter goes *in* the current path. Now
I know better. (But not enough better to not personify the meter  )
Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm |
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