Hello!
I want to see just how much power (in watts) my desktop computer is actually using, but I don't want to buy a Kill-A-Watt or Watts Up or an expensive UPS. I know that I can calculate wattage from current and voltage, but can I measure the current on 110v with my cheap $15 DMM?
I'll tell you what I can read on the DMM, without completely understanding what it means: It's 600V CAT III, 1000V CAT II, it has 3 ports, but I've only ever used the ground and "volts/ohms/mA" ports, because I usually use it for small DC projects.
It says that for THOSE two ports, it is "Fused, MAX 200mA, 1000v{line/dash symbol}, 750v{squiggly line symbol}"
But 200mA is too small, so that's no good. But then there's ground and the OTHER port, which is called "10A DC". Well its 10 amps, so that's plenty, although it says "UNFUSED" and it says its for DC.
So am I poop outta luck, and I gotta buy either a better DMM or a Kill-a-Watt?
I want to see just how much power (in watts) my desktop computer is actually using, but I don't want to buy a Kill-A-Watt or Watts Up or an expensive UPS. I know that I can calculate wattage from current and voltage, but can I measure the current on 110v with my cheap $15 DMM?
I'll tell you what I can read on the DMM, without completely understanding what it means: It's 600V CAT III, 1000V CAT II, it has 3 ports, but I've only ever used the ground and "volts/ohms/mA" ports, because I usually use it for small DC projects.
It says that for THOSE two ports, it is "Fused, MAX 200mA, 1000v{line/dash symbol}, 750v{squiggly line symbol}"
But 200mA is too small, so that's no good. But then there's ground and the OTHER port, which is called "10A DC". Well its 10 amps, so that's plenty, although it says "UNFUSED" and it says its for DC.
So am I poop outta luck, and I gotta buy either a better DMM or a Kill-a-Watt?