What blows multimeter fuses?

[joedodge]

What else blows meter fuses in a multimeter besides over amps? I know doing a draw test and opening a door or something waking modules up will do it. But what else? I know I know dumb question but I'm drawing a blank

 

[srmofo]

Anything where current exceeds the fuse. It can only occur while pulling current through the meter, I.E anytime the leads are in series with circuit vs. running parallel. Measuring volts wont do it, Measuring resistance wont do it (Circuit should be dead when testing)

(People for arguments sake you know what I mean, Dont go blabbing on about how it pulls a small amount and then measures blah blah blah)

 

[joedodge]

That's what I thought. Thanks of clearing it up for me

 

[IFMJohn]

The 3 common mistakes that I see are:
1. Trying to measure an amperage higher than the fuse rating.
2. Forgetting that you are in amps and trying to measure voltage at the battery.
3. Having the meter at volts (attempting to measure volts) but having the probe in the amp spot.

 

[Brownsfan]

Yep. I did #3 when my daughter was playing with my meter when I was checking some outlets in the house. It was really surprising when the outlet sparks. Was kinda hard to get mad at a 4 year old that was "helping" dad.

 

[RV77]

Good responses and damn those little fuses are expensive !! I had no luck finding them local not even radio shack

 

[redwrench60]

Good responses and damn those little fuses are expensive !! I had no luck finding them local not even radio shack

Did you try a local electrical supply house? All the pro supply houses around here carry Fluke fuses in bulk along with generic meter fuses. They even cut me a discount cause I work at a shop they're familiar with.....but here for a while now the shops been buying them for us as shop supplies.

 

[Rookie2]

I know you didn't ask but I've gotten into the habit of using a 12volt test light or my 12v trouble light before I insert my amp meter. How bright the light is tells me if i have a large or small current to deal with.

 

[hofferwood]

What blows multimeter fuses?

Multimeter ******


Done it quite a few times, check milliamp draw---look at a few other things----check voltage----pop goes the fuse bonehead
I have spares

 

[robmack]

What else blows meter fuses in a multimeter besides over amps?

Trying to measure the ESR of a capacitor but there is a charge on the capacitor. The discharge can blow the fuse and sometimes the electronics in a DVM.

Good responses and damn those little fuses are expensive !! I had no luck finding them local not even radio shack

Try online at Digikey or Newark Electronics.

 

[MikeF2316]

Only times I've blown fuses in my meters is when I've forgotten the meter is set to measure resistance and I'm trying to measure voltage.

 

[Brownsfan]

Yes they are pretty pricey. I think i paid 7or8 dollars for a fuse in my Klein meter.

 

[IFMJohn]

You guys cannot use the fast acting fuses from radioshack? That's what I use in my bluepoint meter.

 

[Davefr]

You guys cannot use the fast acting fuses from radioshack? That's what I use in my bluepoint meter.

Not with Fluke. The fuses are designed to safely dissipate the energy (ie corona arc) from a major over voltage event. (fuse body filled with sand)

It's probably not an issue working with 12V or 120VAC but it is for electricians working in high voltage environments.

However I'll fess up and admit that I've used a generic fuse in my Fluke to tide me over until I could get the correct type.

 

[IFMJohn]

Not with Fluke. The fuses are designed to safely dissipate the energy (ie corona arc) from a major over voltage event.

It's probably not an issue working with 12V or 120VAC but it is for electricians working in high voltage environments.

Ah okay. I had no idea, which is why I asked lol. Learn something new everyday.

 

[RV77]

Try online at Digikey or Newark Electronics.[/QUOTE]

Did you try a local electrical supply house? .

No I ordered them from amazon last year