Electricity 101
Warning
Electricty Hurts! And it can kill. And it will probably hurt until you are dead.
Warning 2
I have no idea how electricity really works. Do not read this and assume it is correct.
Plugs
Wire cable colours are sometimes different.
Color
| Type | Colour 1 | Colour 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Live | Brown | Red |
| Neutral | Blue | Black |
| Earth | Yellow & Green | Green |
Three Prong Plugs
Earth should be the top one.\
Two Prong Plugs
Live and Neutral only, no Earth.
Kettle Plugs
Left Pin: Neutral
Centre Pin: Earth
Right Pin: Live
I found this handy images on Electronics2000
Multimeter
The device to test all sorts of electrical stuff. Also called a voltmeter./
I have a Major Tech MTD10 that I got in South Africa./
Manual
What do you want to find out?
Can it get or deliver power?
See the Continuity section.
Does it have/deliver power?
See the Voltage section.
What goes where?
The black goes into the COM port.
The red usually goes into the port with the many signs.
If you measure high Amp, then you put red in the 10A port.
Measuring Continuity
Power off the device. Not required, but recommended.
To test if the wires between point A and B are working, set the multimeter to Continuity mode. It has the arrow sign with a line going through it.
The multimeter will make a beeping noise if it can push though electricity.
Measuring Voltage
WARNING This is the part where the wires have power and can hurt!
Batteries (DC)
This is for measuring if a battery (DC) works.
DC is identified by the V followed by a hovering stripe with three dots beneath it.
Choose a number in the range that is more than what you are expecting from the power output.
E.g. choose 20V if you are testing a 9V battery.
Place the RED on the POSITIVE
Place the BLACK on the NEGATIVE
Plugs (AC)
This is for measuring if the powered plug (AC) works.
AC is identified by the V folled by a tilda (~).
Choose a number in the range that is more than what you are expecting from the power output.
E.g:
- 750V if you are testing a normal plug (240V)
- 200V if you are testing an American plug (120V)
Place the RED in the LIVE
Place the BLACK in the NEUTRAL
