Power supply problem?

glatt · 04-28-2011, 09:43 PM

I was thinking about this today, so tonight when I got home, I really took a close look at the auto ranging digital multimeter. It turns out one of its fuses had blown. So it could measure temperatures just fine, and could measure household AC current, but couldn't measure DC.

tw · 04-30-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

It turns out one of its fuses had blown.

If you accidentally measure voltage with the 'current' setting, then a fuse will blow to protect that meter from you. Many failures are directly traceable to humans. I know this to be true due to multiple examples. But the most common reason for failures is manufacturing defects - which may explain your power supply.

glatt · 04-30-2011, 05:50 PM

Oh, yeah, I probably put the probes in the wrong hole one time.

Frustrating thing is I can't find the fuse at either of the two radio shacks in walking distance. I found one online at an electronics supply place, but it's $6 with $12 for shipping and handling. I can't bring myself to pay that much for a part that should cost a quarter. I should just buy a new multimeter.

tw · 05-01-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Frustrating thing is I can't find the fuse at either of the two radio shacks in walking distance.

What is the fuse (Amps and three letters that define its characteristic - AGC, MDL, GMA, etc)?

glatt · 05-01-2011, 01:39 PM

5 mm x 20 mm
GFE CQ
10A 250V

tw · 05-01-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

5 mm x 20 mm
GFE CQ
10A 250V

Don't know why it is a GFE. A GME or GMA 250 volt fuse is similar; should be sufficient. Those should be available even in Lowes.

Important is for that fuse to be a fast blow type and 250 volts. If 10 Amp is not available, any other value even down to 2 amps should be more than sufficient since only the current measuring functions would be affected; would blow that fuse. During voltage measurements, the meter would not even draw 0.001 amps.

ZenGum · 05-02-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tw

If you accidentally measure voltage with the 'current' setting, then a fuse will blow to protect that meter from you. Many failures are directly traceable to humans.

Glatt, you're Top Management!!! Congratulations, you brain-dead MBA parasite bean-counter.

04-28-2011, 09:43 PM	#1
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I was thinking about this today, so tonight when I got home, I really took a close look at the auto ranging digital multimeter. It turns out one of its fuses had blown. So it could measure temperatures just fine, and could measure household AC current, but couldn't measure DC.

04-30-2011, 05:50 PM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Oh, yeah, I probably put the probes in the wrong hole one time. Frustrating thing is I can't find the fuse at either of the two radio shacks in walking distance. I found one online at an electronics supply place, but it's $6 with $12 for shipping and handling. I can't bring myself to pay that much for a part that should cost a quarter. I should just buy a new multimeter.

05-01-2011, 01:39 PM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	5 mm x 20 mm GFE CQ 10A 250V

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)