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Perform Continuity Test

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Multimeter basics

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What happens here

Turn the multimeter's dial to the 'Continuity' setting, often indicated by a speaker icon and usually shared with the Ohms setting (you might need to press 'Select'). To verify it's working, touch the red and black probes together; the multimeter should emit an audible beep, signifying a complete circuit. Next, use the probes to test a component, such as a car fuse. Place one probe on each metal terminal of the fuse. If the fuse is good (not blown), the multimeter will beep, indicating continuity. If the fuse is blown or a wire is broken, there will be no beep.

Goal: Check for a complete electrical path (continuity) in a circuit or component.

Tools and materials

  • Black Test Lead — Probing components for continuity
  • Car Fuse — An example component to test for continuity
  • Multimeter Klein Tools MM400 — Performing continuity tests
  • Red Test Lead — Probing components for continuity

What they say

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With the probes apart, there is no path. If I go ahead and touch them together, there's almost no resistance, and it's going to read close to zero. Continuity uses the same basic idea. This is good for testing things like wire and fuses. Continuity checks whether there's a complete electrical path. If your wire is broken or your fuse is blown, you won't hear the beep at all. And some meters can even tell me if my beer is cold. Change it to Fahrenheit. Stick in the probe.

Auto-generated from the video audio.