Oklahoma Locksmith Practice Exam

When measuring current draw in a circuit, where must the meter leads be placed?

1. Parallel with the circuit

2. Across the circuit terminals

3. In a series with the circuit intact

4. On the supply side only

The correct answer is: In a series with the circuit intact

To measure current draw in a circuit, the meter must be placed in series with the circuit. This is because a multimeter measures the flow of electric current, which requires the current to pass through the meter itself. When the meter is connected in series, it becomes part of the circuit, allowing it to measure the amount of current flowing through that part of the circuit accurately. If the meter were placed in parallel with the circuit, it could potentially create a short circuit, which would lead to incorrect readings and could damage the meter. Placing the meter across circuit terminals is not appropriate for current measurement but rather for measuring voltage. Similarly, placing the meter on the supply side only would not provide a complete measurement of the current flowing through the entire circuit. Therefore, by placing the meter leads in series, you ensure that you accurately capture the total current flow in the circuit being tested.