4.2.3.5 Lab – Use a Multimeter and a Power Supply Tester Answers Full 100% 2023 2024

Lab – Use a Multimeter and a Power Supply Tester (Answers Version)

Answers Note: Red font color or gray highlights indicate text that appears in the Answers copy only.

Introduction

In this lab, you will learn how to use and handle a multimeter and a power supply tester.

Recommended Equipment

• A digital multimeter
• The multimeter manual
• A battery to test
• A power supply tester
• A manual for the tester
• A power supply

Note: The multimeter is a sensitive piece of electronic test equipment. Do not drop it or handle it carelessly. Be careful not to accidentally nick or cut the red or black wires or leads, called probes. Because it is possible to check high voltages, take extra care to avoid electrical shock.

Instructions

Part 1:Multimeter

Step 1:Set up the multimeter.

1. Insert the red and black leads into the jacks on the meter. The black probe should go in the COM jack and the red probe should go in the + (plus) jack.
2. Turn on the multimeter (consult the manual if there is no ON/OFF switch).

Questions:

What is the model of the multimeter?

Answer may vary.

What action must be taken to turn the meter on?

Turn switch to a setting. Answer may vary.

Step 2:Explore the different multimeter measurements.

1. Switch or turn to different measurements. For example, the multimeter can be adjusted to measure Ohms.

Questions:

How many different switch positions does the multimeter have?

Answer may vary.

What are they?

Voltage, current, resistance, etc. Answer may vary.

2. Switch or turn the multimeter to the DC voltage measurement.

Question:

What symbol is shown for this?

DCV

Step 3:Measure the voltage of a battery.

1. Place the battery on the table. Touch the tip of the red (positive) probe to the positive (+) side of a battery. Touch the tip of the black (negative) probe to the other end of the battery.

Question:

What is shown on the display?

Answers may vary but the number should reflect the voltage of the battery. For example, a 1.5 V battery should display a number such as 1.47 V or 1.52 V.

2. If the multimeter does not display a number close to the battery voltage, check the multimeter setting to ensure it is set to measure voltage, or replace the battery with a known good battery. If the number is negative, reverse the probes.

Questions:

Name one thing you should not do when using a multimeter.

Plug the multimeter probes in a wall outlet. Answers may vary.

Name one important function of a multimeter.

A multimeter measures whether voltage is passing through or getting to a component. Answers may vary.

3. Disconnect the multimeter from the battery. Switch the multimeter to OFF. Part 1 of the lab is complete. Have your Answers verify your work.

Question:

Why is a digital multimeter an important piece of equipment for a technician? Explain your answer.

Answers may vary.

Part 2:Power Supply Tester

Complete only the steps for the connectors supported by the power supply tester that you are using.

Step 1:Check the testing ports for the power supply tester.

Many power supply testers have connector ports to test the following power supply connectors:

• 20-pin/24-pin motherboard connector
• 4-pin Molex connector
• 6-pin PCI-E connector
• P4 +12V connector
• P8 +12V EPS connector
• 4-pin Berg connector
• 15-pin SATA connector

Question:

Which connectors does the power supply tester you are using have?

Answer may vary, see list above.

Step 2:Test the power supply motherboard connector.

Complete the following steps for the connectors supported by the power supply tester that you are using.

1. Set the power supply switch (if available) to the OFF (or 0) position.
2. Plug the 20-pin or 24-pin motherboard connector into the tester.
3. Plug the power supply into an AC outlet.
4. Set the power supply switch (if available) to the ON (or 1) position.

If the power supply is working, LEDs will illuminate and you might hear a beep. If the LED lights do not illuminate, it is possible the power supply could be damaged or the motherboard connector has failed. In this instance, you must check all connections, ensure the power supply switch (if available) is set to ON (or 1) and try again. If the LEDs still do not illuminate, consult your Answers.

Possible LED lights include +5 V, -5 V, +12 V, +5 VSB, PG, -12 V, and +3.3 V.

Question:

Which LED lights are illuminated?

Answer may vary but may include: +5 V, -5 V, +12 V, +5 VSB, PG, -12 V, +3.3 V.

Step 3:Test the power supply Molex connector.

Plug the 4-pin Molex connector into the tester. The LED illuminates on +12 V and +5 V. (If the power output fails, the LEDs will not illuminate.)

Question:

Which LED lights are illuminated?

+5 V, +12 V

Step 4:Test the 6-pin PCI-E connector.

Plug the 6-pin PCI-E connector into the tester. The LED will illuminate on +12 V. (If the power output fails, the LED will not illuminate.)

Question:

Does the LED light illuminate?

Answer may vary.

Step 5:Test the 5-pin SATA connector.

Plug the 5-pin SATA connector into the tester. The LED will illuminate on +12 V, +5 V, and +3.3 V. (If the power output fails, the LEDs will not illuminate.)

Question:

Which LED lights are illuminated?

+5 V, +12 V, +3.3 V.

Step 6:Test the 4-pin Berg connector.

Plug the 4-pin Berg connector into the tester. The LED will illuminate on +12 V and +5 V. (If the power output fails, the LEDs will not illuminate.)

Question:

Which LED lights are illuminated?

+5 V, +12 V

Step 7:Test the P4/P8 connectors.

1. Plug the P4 +12 V connector into the tester. The LED will illuminate on +12 V. (If the power output fails, the LEDs will not illuminate.)
2. Plug the P8 +12 V connector into the tester. The LED will illuminate on +12 V. (If the power output fails, the LEDs will not illuminate.)

Question:

Which LED lights are illuminated?

+12 V

3. Switch the power supply to OFF (or 0) if available. Disconnect the power supply from the AC outlet. Disconnect the power supply from the power supply tester. The lab is complete. Have your Answers verify your work.

Question:

Why is a power supply tester an important piece of equipment for a technician? Explain your answer.

Answers may vary.

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