How do I use a multimeter to measure current (amps) consumed by a voltage converter?
I have a 12volt to 5 volt DC to DC voltage converter. It is hooked to a standard 12volt battery on one end and provides 5 volts at the other, where it is hooked to a DVR. It gets quite warm, so I am thinking it is inefficient. I would like to find out how much current it is losing, but am at a loss as to how to do this.
Current is not lost, it is power that you want.
You get a multimeter with an ammeter function. Connect the ammeter in SERIES with the 12 volts and measure current, call it I1. Now connect it in series with the output and measure that current, call it I2
Input power = 12 x I1 (measure the actual voltage and substitute for the 12)
Output power = 5 x I2 (measure the actual voltage and substitute for the 5)
do this several times, under identical load, ie, the DVR doing the same thing. Ideally, you would have two ammeters and two voltmeters, so the same conditions applied to the readings, ie, they are made at the same time.
Ideally the power readings would be the same, but the output power will always be smaller.
Efficiency is Pin / Pout
lost power is Pin – Pout.
.
|
|
3 Sears MultiMeter Fuse .5 Amp 250 Volt 34-82316 Guitar $1.99 |
|
|
AC Clamp Digital Multimeter Voltage Meter DC AMP Load $6.99 |
|
|
3 Sears MultiMeter Fuse .8 Amp 250 Volt 34-82317 Guitar $1.99 |
|
|
3 Sears MultiMeter Fuse 2. Amp 250 Volt 34-82318 Guitar $1.99 |
|
|
2 Sears MultiMeter Fuse 20 Amp 250 Volt 34-82319 Guitar $1.99 |
|
|
Digital AC DC Multimeter Clamp Voltage Amp Meter Tester $4.99 |
|
|
ESI 685 Digital Amp Clamp/Multimeter with Low Amp Capab $129.99 |
|
|
VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER OHM $11.99 |
|
|
LCD Digital Multimeter Volt Ohm Amp tester Multi Meter $10.59 |
|
|
LCD VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER $1.52 |
|
|
Digital Multimeter Voltage Load Ohm Amp Tools backlight $6.37 |
|
|
LCD VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER $1.52 |
|
|
LCD Multimeter Amps AC DC Digital Voltmeter Ohmmeter UK $0.91 |
|
|
AMPROBE AMP METER MULTIMETER CASE AMP VOLT DC CURRENT $39.99 |
|
|
Digital Amp Ohm Volt Meter AC DC Voltmeter Multimeter $3.49 |
|
|
AC/DC LCD Digital Multi-meter Volt Ohm Amp Tester Check $9.98 |
|
|
SIMPSON 260 Series 7 Multimeter Volt-Amp-Milliammeter! $115.00 |
|
|
LCD OHM VOLT AMP DC AC Digital Multimeter Measure Tools $0.91 |
|
|
CLAMP ON DIGITAL MULTIMETER AMP AC DC TESTER TEST METER $14.90 |
|
|
Digital Multimeter Ammeter Volt Ohm Amp Test Meter Y544 $0.99 |
|
|
True AC/DC Clamp On Digital Multimeter Meter Amp Tester $5.99 |
|
|
AC/DC LCD Digital Multi-meter Volt Ohm Amp Tester Check $4.98 |
|
|
LCD Multimeter Amps AC DC Digital Voltmeter Ohmmeter UK $0.91 |
|
|
Fluke 87 True RMS Multimeter with 80i-600 Amp Probe $76.00 |
|
|
LCD VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER $1.52 |
|
|
Digital Multimeter – Volt-Amp-Ohm Meter $20.00 |
|
|
LCD DIGITAL VOLT AMPS Ohm METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC b $0.99 |
|
|
DIGITAL CLAMP MULTIMETER LCD METER AMP TEST TESTER $3.99 |
|
|
Pocket Digital Multi Meter Tester Ohm DC AC Volt Amps $7.95 |
|
|
Pocket Digital Multi Meter Tester Ohm AC DC Volt Amps R $0.99 |
|
|
LCD VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER $0.91 |
|
|
Uni-T Digital LCD Palm Size Multimeters Volt Amp UT33B $16.99 |
|
|
AC/DC LCD Digital Multi-meter Volt Ohm Amp Tester Check $2.99 |
|
|
Uni-T UT-201 Digital Clamp Multimeter Ohm Voltmeter Amp $26.99 |
|
|
True AC/DC Clamp On Digital Multimeter Meter Amp Tester $0.99 |
|
|
AC/DC LCD Digital Multi-meter Volt Ohm Amp Tester $9.98 |
|
|
True AC/DC Clamp On Digital Multimeter Meter Amp Tester $0.99 |
|
|
NEW DIGITAL AC DC MULTIMETER CLAMP VOLTAGE AMP METER $0.01 |
|
|
AC/DC LCD Digital Multi-meter Volt Ohm Amp Tester $2.99 |
|
|
VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER OHM $11.99 |
|
|
AC/DC LCD Digital Multi-meter Volt Ohm Amp Tester Check $9.98 |
|
|
LCD VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER $1.52 |
|
|
LCD Digital Multimeter Volt Ohm Amp tester Multi Meter $10.59 |
|
|
Digital Multimeter Voltage Load Ohm Amp Tools backlight $6.37 |
|
|
LCD VOLT METER MULTIMETER AMPS AC DC DIGITAL VOLTMETER $1.52 |
|
|
New Digital AC DC Multimeter Clamp Voltage Amp Meter $6.37 |
|
|
Digital Clamp MultiMeter Meter Amp Tester 1mA~200A+Case $9.99 |
|
|
LCD Pocket AC/DC digital multimeter Volt Ohm Amp Tester $6.88 |
|
|
FUSE 10 AMP FOR OTC 100 SERIES MULTIMETERS $2.95 |
|
|
FUSE 20 AMP FOR OTC 500 TO 700 SERIES MULTIMETERS $6.46 |
|
|
FUSE 5 AMP FOR OTC 100 SERIES MULTIMETERS $2.64 |
|
|
DIGITAL CLAMP-ON MULTIMETER AC DC VOLTAGE AMP TESTER + $19.95 |
|
|
New Uni-T Current Clamp Multimeter Amp/Volt 400A UT203 $48.99 |
|
|
True AC/DC Clamp On Digital Multimeter Meter Amp Tester $0.99 |
|
|
True AC/DC Clamp On Digital Multimeter Meter Amp Tester $0.99 |
|
|
WOLF-Garten 3226004 Push-Pull Weeder $14.99 The WOLF-Garten push-pull weeder allows gardener’s to quickly change tools in one-click, eliminates the need for having a garage full of unsightly, and space consuming long-handled tools. The push-pull weeder works by simply working the blade back and forth below the soil level. Wavy dual-edged blades cut through the soil effortlessly, while self sharpening with each use. The weeder features side … |
|
|
Digital Amp Ohm Volt Meter Ac Dc Voltmeter Multimeter $3.48 Get accurate readings for DC voltage, DC current, AC voltage, resistance, transistor test, diode test, and battery test. Easy-to-read 3-1/2 digit LCD readout, positive set selector switch, and 32″ leads. Automatic zero adjust DC-A: 0-200µ A-2000µ A-20mA-200mA ; Resistance: 0-200-2000-20K-200… |
|
|
Fluke 803293 11 Amp 1000 Volt Fluke Digital Multimeter Replacement Fuse $8.39 11A 1000V FAST 406INX1.5IN BULK… |
|
|
NEW AC DC VOLT OHM DIGITAL MULTIMETER MULTITESTER METER $3.99 An ohm is a measure of resistance to the current flow of electrical circuits. One Ohm is the amount of resistance overcome by one volt in causing one ampere to flow…. |
|
|
Mastech MAS 830L Digital Multimeter for Tube Amp Maintenance $25.95 Great digital multimeter for biasing and servicing tube amps and other electronics, plus household duties. Anyone who owns a tube amp needs one of these for maintenance and biasing of their amp. Compact, durable and easy to use. Comes complete with manual, battery, test leads. Specifications: Number of Functions – 7, DC Voltage Range 200mV to 600Vdc, DC Current Range – 200 microamps to 10 amps, AC… |
Incoming search terms for the article:
Related posts:
Tags: electronics, howto, multimeter, reference, tutorial
