Using a Multi-Meter as Amp-Meter

[Ziggy122]

Right i have 2 x 48 White LED Strip Lights on my Shelf to highlight an old RC model

Anyway - Its powered off a 1.5Amp 12v adaptor
Not a problem - the Adapter doesn't even get warm which is good
So i know it uses less then 1.5amps

But when i use my Multi-meter to measure how much they DO use
I still cant get a reading
I've taken the adapter wire and Put the multi-meter in series and completed the circuit to the switch

But i dont get anything - not a flicker
I've just replaced the Fuse in it - and i've got it set to 10amp setting and tried both ports - Nothing

Any help welcomed

Ziggy

 

[volxstu]

If you arent geting any light then my bet is no earth.

 

[Ziggy122]

If you arent geting any light then my bet is no earth.

Yea i'm not getting any light either
So what am i doing wrong? Have i got the wrong Cable from the adapter?

Ziggy

 

[Davren]

Have you got the red lead in the Amps socket of the meter and the black lead in the COM socket?

Do either of the meter probes have a fuse in that may have blown?

 

[Ziggy122]

Have you got the red lead in the Amps socket of the meter and the black lead in the COM socket?

Do either of the meter probes have a fuse in that may have blown?

Neither Lead has a fuse in them - and the Main Fuse in the meter has just been replaced

and Yes Black in coms and Red in the 10a Socket
Also tried it in the V(ohms)MA socket

Ziggy

 

[Davren]

If they are just LEDs, they will be polarity sensitive. Try the +ve and -ve power leads the opposite way round.

 

[sledge]

Does the meter have an AC current function? Cheap multimeters generaly dont and can only measure DC current. For AC you need a clampmeter.

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[arc]

i'm presuming he's measuring the DC draw of the LEDs, not the input into the adaptor.

Why do you want to know the consumption, what did the LEDs come out of - why not just look at them and multiply by 12?

 

[Ffoxy]

Surely the current draw from L.E.D's would be so low as not to register on a 10Amp setting... try D.C.mAmps....

 

[Ziggy122]

When there in the switch they work fine

Its just when i come to try and see How many Ma / A they use
I cant get owt!

I'm baffelled

its the Led Strip lights you get out off Ebay on a 12v DC power-supply

The meter doesn't have a Ma Setting just a 10a Setting

Ziggy

 

[volxstu]

So are they working or not? Things arent making sense here.

 

[Davren]

Surely the current draw from L.E.D's would be so low as not to register on a 10Amp setting... try D.C.mAmps....

96 LEDs x 10mA (say) = 0.96A. Should register on 10A range.

 

[Ziggy122]

Right When the LED Strips are On the Switch (standard on off switch) - they WORK

How-ever when i come to try and read a Amperage reading - i get nada

Ziggy

 

[Ziggy122]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/domestic-multimeter-37279

Mine is Practically Identical to this one

Ziggy

 

[Focus Owner]

does it have an interior fuse on your mulitmeter we blew 2 up on cars
same as mine remove rubber case and unscrew back clear as day

 

[Ziggy122]

does it have an interior fuse on your mulitmeter we blew 2 up on cars

yes it does have an interior fuse - this has JUST been replaced, got a 10pack of them
and the current fuse is fine

Ziggy

 

[Ffoxy]

96 LEDs x 10mA (say) = 0.96A. Should register on 10A range.

If the calcs are correct I'd agree 1 Amp should show up on a Digi meter... but much less likely on a cheap analogue jobby...

Edit... OK it's a cheap digi meter... I still vote the current range is the problem, all you do to measure current is put the meter in series with the +ve supply lead & hey presto...

 

[Ziggy122]

i think its going to be the Multi-meter at fault here
I dont think its Picking up the Demand the LED's use as a result its not completing the Circuit

Yes i've got it on the posi - But still no reading

Ziggy

 

[Focus Owner]

opened the back up and checked fuse in it?

 

[Ziggy122]

opened the back up and checked fuse in it?

Yes i've opened it up - yes i've replaced the Fuse today with the correct one

Still No reading - i tried putting it on my RC charger to charge at 1.5amps
When put in series - the charger cant see the connection - so its going to be my Multimeter at fault - its cheap and cheerful

Ziggy