Your meter: volts, ohms, amps

Three settings cover 90% of RV work. Know which one answers your question.

The short version

• Volts (V): is power getting there? Test with the circuit on, probes across two points.
• Ohms (Ω) / continuity: is this part or wire whole? Test with power off and the part disconnected.
• Amps (A): how much is it pulling? Use a clamp meter around one wire. It's the easiest and safest way.
• DC for 12V stuff, AC for 120V stuff. Wrong setting, wrong answer.

Numbers

• Ohms with power on: Bad reading, can blow the meter fuse
• Amps: Clamp around ONE wire, not the whole cord

Shop tip

Before you trust a "no power" reading, touch your probes to a known-good battery. Dead meter batteries fool everybody once.