🚀 go-pugleaf

npstewar@eos.ncsu.edu (NATHAN PHILLIP STEWART) writes:

>3) About measuring plate voltage, it occured to me that if the impedance of 
>   my voltmeter is not high enough I could fry my voltmeter and quite possibly
>   more (me for instance.)  Is this a real concern, or do Multimeters generally
>   have a high enough impedance that I don't need to worry.

yeah, what I generally do is suspend the multimeter probe from a fulcrum and allow it
to swing down and make contact with the plate.  Sometimes I just throw the probe 
at the appropriate wire or contact and watch the meter deflection.  Another method
which makes good contact is to contrive to click the probe against the 
metal in such a way as to cause it to arc weld itself in place.  Then take the
measurement, turn off the source, and pry the probe off.  For line voltage I
usually jam a few bobby pins into the wall socket with a tack hammer and measure 
off of those.  Also, teeth are good insulators so I find that chewing the insulation
off of zip cord is the easiest and safest way to get at the wire if you are unsure
whether or not it is hot, as long as you watch your lips.

peter 'let me help you' quince
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