
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.
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