How To Use A Multimeter for Home Repairs and Troubleshooting

Two minutes into the video, and I already got some IMPORTANT information - don't have a probe in the hot side without a probe in ground or neutral. I did not know that. Thanks!

As an irrigation technician, I use a multimeter everyday in the field when troubleshooting residential sprinkler systems. This is huge for the DIY home owner because it is not cheap for me to make a home visit. I test voltage to make sure each solenoid is getting at least 24V. This is the minimum required to open a valve. Measure the common against the zone that is currently running. Run through each zone and make sure they are all getting required voltage (only the zone currently running should be getting voltage). If a zone won't turn on but it is getting the required voltage you are looking at a problem with the solenoid. Take an Ohms measurement with the timer turned off this time going through each zone. Again, common against each zone wire. You want to see a range of about 23-60 Ohms. If you get an OL reading, you probably have a loose connection in the manifold (Valve box) or a broken line somewhere between your timer and manifold. If the Ohms reading is below the range, Your solenoid should be replaced. Sometimes the issue comes down to the timer malfunctioning and bugging, but with these steps you can get an idea of what to focus on. Hope this helps!

FANTASTIC overview of a practical multimeter. Really appreciated the safety advice of neutral first and then hot lead! 👏. Finally, I just purchased the Klein MM700. This session was like a product user guide! 👍 ❤

I don't know how I ended up on your channel, but I'm so happy I did. I'm learning so much and, reviewing your videos, has already answered multiple questions that I've had. Thank you so much for putting your knowledge out here for us. And thank you for showing it straight up without adding any distracting background music.

Great run through. I purchased the same model a few years back. Was the most capable meter . In my personal view that Home Depot had at the time. Has worked great for my needs so far.

Wow, all these years I’ve been using a multimeter and I was not aware of this danger! Thank you for this video,

I have a voltage meter just like this one and I love it. I just bought the IP40 voltage tester. It has the laser measurement. It allows me to roughly figure how much wire to run instead of having to get my measuring tape out every time. I mainly bought this one because the range of voltage it measures. The laser measurement was a huge plus.

OMG, all the times i've probed the sockets not knowing or realizing red first means the black is live!! Thank you, great videos by the way.

I've been using meters for decades and thought I knew a lot about multi-meters but I never knew about how to check an outlet (which meter lead to put where and what order). Thanks for all our great videos!

I am a DIY home owner with not much background in electrical engineering. I just purchased the same multimeter (Klein Tools MM600) because my buddy who is an electrical engineer said that Klein Tools makes great testing devices for the bang. Unlike Fluke, it doesn't charge you arm and leg. So far your video is very helpful, and I know how to use it!

Wow, thank you SO MUCH for this detailed information and tutorial on how to use the Klien Multimeter!!! I'm a total rookie homeowner and learning this stuff has helped me to no end. Talk about teaching a person to fish! Thank you!!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽😄

HI . I am a DIYer and even though I do not have much basic home electrical knowledge, I still went ahead and bought a Klein 390 multimeter (for simple tests, heater temp. reading),your videos have been a source of refence for me, you explain things thoroughly for us simple homeowners even if they may sound repetitive /boring to seasoned electricians. one thing I would like to see is how to "prevent/avoid damages" to a multimeter ,or " things not to do with your multimeter"

Great tutorial covering everything you need to do for home repairs. Really you only need two function 1. voltage for batteries / AC lines and 2. continuity for fuses. That covers 99% of your home repairs. A NCV tester really comes in handy to detect live wires. Also noticed this Klein model smartly placed the amp test on the left side and everything else on the right side so you don't blow the fuse.

Thanks Scott. I'm really enjoying your channel and find it super helpful. Another DIY'er use for a multimeter is testing voltage on doorbell transformers. As the newer smart doorbells usually need between 16-24 volts and not all homes meet those requirements. Thanks again.

Loved this video! Forgot some of the basics, started in electronics in 1975, great refresher course, Thanks!!!

Property manager for 3 apartment blocks , I use the MM450 for rad actuator poptop voltages , Temp for rad fins , Hot/Grd/Neut separation and wiring correctness , appliance troubleshooting and a few other things. Bought for the thinness and yes the case :) Fits in a shirt pocket and TRMS , autoranging and 600V. Super big display and intuitive to use.

Thanks for this. I bought a multimeter for DIY because my father had one and used it all the time, but after unboxing I realized I had no idea how to use it and it went right back into the case for A YEAR. Turns out I couldn't just read the dials and figure it out on my own, unlike many other DIY tools I have. It's not very intuitive (or maybe I'm not). I watched video tutorials but not having used one in any application, what they were saying had no meaning to me. This puts meter use in perspective and I use it pretty regularly now. Thanks!

Very helpful. I just purchased the CL800 . Probably more meter than I need for home gamer use but after testing a stator and rectifier on a motorcycle with 2 el cheapo models and getting conflicting readings that were wildly different I thought I would get a decent model. Liked the clamp and AC/DC amps feature as well I picked up some good helpful tips from watching thanks. 👍

What a GREAT Setting by Setting Primer!!! The First one I've ever seen that is so Clean & Straight-Forward. Thank you!

I so appreciate you creating this video clearly explaining how to use a meter properly and safely. I really have learned so much watching your videos.