DT830D How to Use Instructions

The DT830D Digital Multimeter is a basic tool, which anyone with an average intelligence would be capable of using. This is not an auto-ranging meter, and therefore you will have to select the correct ranges for voltage and current measurements. This is one of those meters where you will need to think first to determine what you are measuring. Are you measuring voltage, or current? Is it AC or DC? In which range do you expect this?

For example, if you wanted to measure the voltage on a 9 V PP3 battery, then you need the voltage setting. Obviously, it is going to be a DC voltage because this is a battery. The 2000 mV setting is too low, because that is for a maximum range of 2 V. Therefore, the next highest setting is 20 V; hence you need to move the selector to that position.

For basic everyday operation, you need to connect the red plug to the socket marked VΩmA. This is for measuring voltage, resistance, and current in the mA range. The maximum current you can measure with this setting is 200 mA. The current and voltage can be either AC or DC.

According to the manufacturer, this meter is also capable of measuring DC currents up to 10-amperes. For this measurement, you need to use the socket marked 10 A, however please note that there is no fuse protection, and if you pass more current through it, then damage will occur. Remember, that to measure current, you must also have an appropriate series load in the circuit. It is highly dangerous to measure the current without the series load.

Due to the un-fused shunts, and the resistance in the probe wires, I would recommend not using this meter for current measurement, because it is easy to damage it, and then you will need to look for a service manual. However, for the other measurements, it is fine.

The probes and wires are of the same quality, as you would find with other cheap digital meters. If you have a good pair of probe wires, then it might be better to use your own wires in which case you may be able to get better performance.

This Article Continues...