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If the display screen reads between 110 and 120 volts, your meter is working correctly. Insert the probes of the meter into the unknown fixture. If voltage on the screen reads between 110 and 120 volts, the fixture is live.

Using one hand, insert a probe into each vertical slot on the outlet. Red goes in the smaller slot, black into the larger one. A properly functioning outlet will give a reading of 110-120 volts. If there is no reading, either something is wrong with the wiring in the outlet or the circuit breaker is tripped.

Hold the insulated terminals of the multimeter and touch the terminals of wires connecting to the switch. If it reads 120 volts, and above then that is the line wire and load wire in your meter box or switches.

Touch the tip of the tester screwdriver to the wire you're testing, being sure to hold the tester screwdriver's insulated handle. Look at the handle of the screwdriver. If the small neon light in the handle lights up, there is power going to the circuit. Otherwise the circuit is dead.

Plug the lamp into another outlet to determine whether or not that outlet is on the same circuit. If the lamp lights with the breaker still off, then the outlet is on a different circuit. If the lamp doesn't light, then it is on the same circuit as the original outlet.

• Set a multimeter to measure voltage. Insert a probe into each slot to measure the line voltage. A properly working outlet gives a reading of 110 to 120 volts. If there is no reading, check the wiring and the outlet.

• Measuring Resistance Set the multimeter to Ohms or Resistance. Observe the meter indication. Connect the test leads. Hold the probes at the end of the test leads together. Measure the resistance of something like a light bulb that you know is good. Try different ranges. Test resistance between hands. Make sure your reading is accurate.

• Digital multimeters are more common, and for simple electronics, a digital multimeter is the best option. Multimeters are generally hand held devices, and are useful for quick fault finding in a circuit. Checking a circuit’s completeness and the voltage from a power source are two common uses.

• First insert the black test lead into the COM jack.
• Then insert the red lead into the VΩ jack. When finished,remove the leads in reverse order: red first,then black.
• With the circuit de-energized,connect the test leads across the component being tested. The position of the test leads is arbitrary. ...
• The digital multimeter (DMM) beeps if a complete path (continuity) is detected. If the circuit is open (the switch is in the OFF position),the DMM will not beep.
• When finished,turn the multimeter OFF to preserve battery life.

Purchasing a multimeter, the go-to tool for diagnosing electrical problems, could allow you to investigate and address outlet issues. Not sure how to test an outlet? Read on, and the experts at Mr. Electric® will help you learn how to use a multimeter to test an outlet.

Modern outlets have three slots: one for hot, one for neutral, and one for ground. The rounded half circle is the ground, the longer slot (left) is the neutral and the shorter slot (right) is hot. Remember that any of the three wires can carry current, so treat each one with caution. Adjust your multimeter. Set your meter to measure voltage.

If your multimeter continues to show 0.0 you may have a bad connection, try wiggling the leads for better contact. If this does not help you may have an electrical problem with your outlet. Then, it’s time to remove the black lead from the slot and insert it into the oval slot.

Check your multimeter’s manual if you are unsure of how to turn it on. Insert 1 prong into the left side and 1 into the right side of the outlet. The multimeter should have 2 prongs, one red and one black. Insert 1 of them into the left side of the outlet and the other into the right side of the outlet.