Comments on: How can I use a multimeter to measure incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs? http://USED-TEST-EQUIPMENT.INFO/5972/how-can-i-use-a-multimeter-to-measure-incandescent-and-compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs/ Used Test Equipment - Network Analyzer's,Oscilloscopes, and Spectrum Analyzers at Discount Prices Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:26:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: billrussell42 http://USED-TEST-EQUIPMENT.INFO/5972/how-can-i-use-a-multimeter-to-measure-incandescent-and-compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs/#comment-2170 billrussell42 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:14:19 +0000 #comment-2170 You need an AC ammeter or wattmeter, a multimeter won't work. If you are ingenious, you can use a 1 ohm 5 watt resistor in series with the bulb, and measure the AC voltage across it, and then calculate AC current from ohms law. Once you have the current, you can multiply by the line voltage (120 or 240 volts, depending on where you live) to get the power. You can buy a wattmeter for US$ 20 from amazon.com. . You need an AC ammeter or wattmeter, a multimeter won’t work.

If you are ingenious, you can use a 1 ohm 5 watt resistor in series with the bulb, and measure the AC voltage across it, and then calculate AC current from ohms law.

Once you have the current, you can multiply by the line voltage (120 or 240 volts, depending on where you live) to get the power.

You can buy a wattmeter for US$ 20 from amazon.com.

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]]> By: spot a http://USED-TEST-EQUIPMENT.INFO/5972/how-can-i-use-a-multimeter-to-measure-incandescent-and-compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs/#comment-2169 spot a Sun, 04 Apr 2010 05:42:41 +0000 #comment-2169 You can't measure ac current with a multimeter. If you attach a solar cell to the multimeter you might be able to measure the voltage from the cell due to the light output of each type of bulb If you connect the incandescent bulb to a dc voltage you can read voltage and current for it The compact fluorescent bulb probably won't work on dc voltage. there is a circuit in the base of it that may require ac You can’t measure ac current with a multimeter.

If you attach a solar cell to the multimeter you might be able to measure the voltage from the cell due to the light output of each type of bulb

If you connect the incandescent bulb to a dc voltage you can read voltage and current for it

The compact fluorescent bulb probably won’t work on dc voltage. there is a circuit in the base of it that may require ac

]]> By: Kahless http://USED-TEST-EQUIPMENT.INFO/5972/how-can-i-use-a-multimeter-to-measure-incandescent-and-compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs/#comment-2168 Kahless Sun, 04 Apr 2010 05:10:43 +0000 #comment-2168 Measure what? The amount of electricity they use? The amount of light they put out? Measure what? The amount of electricity they use? The amount of light they put out?

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