Question

what's the safest way to use a meter while testing for voltage

Answer 1

1. You need to understand the quantity you want to measure and avoid putting the test lead into a wrong socket to avoid the risk of electric shock.

2.

Do not use your test leads if the protective insulation on the leads or probes is cracked or worn. Your fingers may touch the probe conductor, and this might result in a very bad shock.

3 .The movement of current from one hand to the other during an electric shock is the most dangerous. If possible, use a single hand to hold the probes or latch a probe tip onto the test point of the circuit so that you can hold the other in your hand and set it in place.

4 .Both DC and AC voltage can be very dangerous. Even if you are not expecting to find both, you should always perform safety check when using a multimeter by checking for the presence of both DC and AC voltages.

5. Be mindful of the voltage you are measuring. When measuring AC voltage, for instance, do not allow the probe tips to touch one another when they are still connected to their respective point on the electrical circuit. This is to avoid shorting the circuit which can create a spark or ball of flame that can harm you.