Before attempting to build any circuit or make any measurements read the following precautions. Also read the manual that comes with the meter you have chosen to use and follow the instructions in the manual for making any measurement.
ΓÇó When making a voltage measurement always connect the meter in parallel with the component you are measuring the voltage across.
ΓÇó When making a current measurement always connect the meter in series with the component for which you are measuring the current.
ΓÇó Always set the scale for the function you are measuring to be higher than the anticipated value you are going to measure. For instance in this experiment the highest current that you will expect to measure is 6 ma DC. So you should start out with a range larger than 6 ma. With my meter I started with the 30 ma range. The next smallest was the 3 ma range which would be too small. This rule is very important if you are using an Analog Meter (VOM). Severe damage to your meter may occur if you do not follow these precautions.
ΓÇó When measuring resistance, never! never! never! make an in circuit measurement with the power applied to the circuit. Always turn off and unplug any power source. You could cause severe damage to your meter and possibly yourself when making such a measurement. This applies equally to VOM's and DVM's.
ΓÇó Always observe proper polarity when connecting your meter to a circuit. With a DVM, if you have the ranges set properly, then you will see a minus sign in front of the number displayed in the read out. In other words instead of getting a reading of 6 V the read out will be -6 V. Of course this will not damage the meter. However if you are using an analog style meter then connecting the meter with the wrong polarity will cause the needle to deflect in the wrong direction. If the range is also incorrect you could destroy your meter.
