How to Check a Lamp with a Multimeter

If you find yourself going through light bulbs in a table lamp, you may need to test the lamp with a multimeter to determine where the problem is. A table lamp acts as a simple circuit with a power source, conductors, a switch and the resistor as the light bulb. A multimeter can test voltage and resistance as basic measurements; you will most likely need to test resistance.

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the lamp and take out the bulb.
- 2
  Connect the test probes to their appropriate receptacles on the multimeter. Red goes to the positive slot, and black goes to the negative, marked "Volt" and "COM."
- 3
  Set the dial on the multimeter to measure ohms, or resistance. This is marked with the Greek letter omega.
- 4
  Touch one end of the probe to the metal strip at the bottom of the socket, and touch the other probe to the side of the socket. You should get a nonzero measurement; if you don't, it means that the lamp's circuit is broken or shorted. A short circuit is dangerous and can cause a fire.
- 5
  Touch the two prongs of the lamp's power cord using the same method -- you should get approximately the same result.

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