When you are going to test the performance of your circuit breaker, multimeter is a great supporting tool that you need to provide. This is a handy device that helps you to check the voltage in electrical circuits. Besides, it also helps you determine whether the tested circuit is using AC (alternate current) or DC (direct current). This certain tool will be very useful to help you check whether the circuit breakers in your system work in proper performance or not. Here are some simple steps that you can follow in using multimeter to check your breaker.

First, you need to open your circuit box. You might find some breakers here, so you have to determine which one that you are going to check first. Usually, each of those breakers powers your house in different portion. You can easily notice which breaker that handle which power by taking a look at the label. If you can not find this information, you should label your breakers right away.

Second, you have to turn off all the appliances and lights that are being powered by the certain breaker that you want to check. It is very important to prevent any serious problems such as damaged appliances and lights or even fire.

Third, you need to think about your safety. Put a pair of rubber-soled shoes on and make sure that the area near your circuit box is completely dry. Besides, you should also be very careful off puddles that you might find on the ground. Mop them right away and make sure that the floor or ground is really in dry condition. You really need to check the surrounding environment before testing your breaker in order to prevent the risk of electrical shock.

Fourth, you need to unscrew the metal frame around your breakers. Simply use your screwdriver to unscrew it and you can set it aside. Behind the metal frame, you will find wiring that run through the breakers and also the breakers themselves.

Fifth,you can set your multimeter to Volts AC. Mostly, wiring systems in home use alternating current, so the Volts AC setting let the multimeter to read the current correctly. DC is usually used in testing the voltage of battery-powered electronics.

Sixth, you have to touch one prong of the multimeter to the terminal screw of the breaker. Then, you can touch another prong on the breaker to the ground screw. Your multimeter will give you the readout on how much electricity that flows through your breaker. The ideal readout will be either 120 or 240 volts. If your meter does not read anything, you need to immediately replace your breakers well.

It is not that difficult, right?