Help with multimeter

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by orbital, Nov 14, 2006.

  1. orbital

    orbital Member

    I am replacing a ceiling light and want to know which lead is supplying the power. (three cables into rose) I bought a voltstick but that lights up when I go near anything. I also have a rapitest multimeter (MAS830L) which I have only used to check for continuity (with the beep). Can I test for live with this multimeter, and how would I do that i.e. what settings

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. Ripped Off

    Ripped Off New Member

    Put it on ac volt scale V not sure of the range could be 300Vac or 500V.
    Connect one lead to earth the other touch onto each red / brown in turn one should read mains voltage 240V ish
    To identify the switch connect across red / black or brown / blue on each cable operate switch until you get a low reading then high reading or vice versa. Once you eliminate these the last cable is more likely the loop to the next light fitting.
     
  3. orbital

    orbital Member

    Thanks for that

    The meter has two V settings
    First V (line with 3 dots underneath) range from 200m-2-20-200 600

    Second V with ~ after it 600 and 200 range

    I'm guessing the second ?
     
  4. Ripped Off

    Ripped Off New Member

    Correct~ is a sine wave ie AC the straight lines are DC
    Select the 600V range if you want to keep your meter
     
  5. orbital

    orbital Member

    Many thanks
     
  6. orbital

    orbital Member

    Sorry last question Black lead and red lead

    10ADC - COM - V(Ohm)mA

    Where do I put them when esting for live
     
  7. fooman

    fooman New Member

    I am replacing a ceiling light and want to know which
    lead is supplying the power. (three cables into rose)
    I bought a voltstick but that lights up when I go
    o near anything. I also have a rapitest multimeter
    (MAS830L) which I have only used to check for
    continuity (with the beep). Can I test for live with
    this multimeter, and how would I do that i.e. what
    settings

    when u say three cables do you mean Live Neutral and Earth ?
     
  8. orbital

    orbital Member

    No, three Twin and Earth
     
  9. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    Didn't your multimeter come with a handy little manual ?



    Mr HandyAndy - Really
     
  10. orbital

    orbital Member

    well being a cheap multimeter it came with a badly printed booklet about the size of a stamp that I could not understand. And I can't find it.
     
  11. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    Black to COM and red to V~


    Mr HandyAndy - Really
     
  12. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    Why do you want to know which is live ?

    I mean, as opposed to which is the switch-live.


    Mr HandyAndy - Really
     
  13. orbital

    orbital Member

    Well I do want to find out which is the switch live, which is the feed and which goes to the next rose. I did not want to test any cable without knowing what to do with my meter. Is is not a good idea to know which is live?
     
  14. orbital

    orbital Member

    Thanks for the lead answer BTW
     
  15. fooman

    fooman New Member

    turn the juice off and get a connector block and one by one join the Red and corrisponding earth wire together. Now remove light switch and put your meter onto ohms and connect across the earth and red wire the same. One one of the joined wires at the ceiling rose you should get a reading which will be your switch wire.
     
  16. orbital

    orbital Member

    Thanks, I shall have a go tomorrow
     
  17. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    A simple continuity test between each set of red/black wires will find the switch wire.

    Electric off at mains, turn the switch on, red and black switch wires will buzz.

    Double check by switching switch off, then the same two will not buzz.

    The other reds/blacks will all be live as they are connected together respectively.




    Mr HandyAndy - Really
     
  18. fooman

    fooman New Member

    how about resistance between the other live and neutral because of bulbs etc on the rest of the circuit :)
     
  19. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    None of those are connected by the switch wire(we are presuming the wires are disconnected at the moment, aren't we ?)

    Mr HandyAndy - Really
     
  20. fooman

    fooman New Member

    None of those are connected by the switch wire(we are
    presuming the wires are disconnected at the moment,
    aren't we ?)

    Mr HandyAndy - Really

    all 3 wires are disconnected at the moment
     

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