1. Turn the power supply on. The main display should say OUTPUT OFF.
2. Press the 6V function button (1), then press the Output On/Off button (8). The main display should now indicate 0.000V out, and 0.00A out.
3. Push the Display Limit button (3). It should indicate an initial value of 5.000A. This is too high – you could damage the multimeter with this setting.
4. Notice that the current limit display reverts to the default setting after a few seconds. Push the Display Limit button (3) again, and immediately push the Voltage/Current button (11). Look for a small blinking “Lmt” just below the current readout on the main display, and notice that the one of the digits in the current readout is blinking. Turning the Adjust knob (9) will change the digit that is blinking. You can shift the digit that gets adjusted with button (10). Set the current limit to exactly 1.000A.
5. Push the Voltage/Current button (11) again to make voltage adjustable – this will insure that you do not inadvertently change the current limit setting in future adjustments.

Set The Initial Operating Voltage

1. Make sure one of the digits in the voltage display is blinking. If it is not, push the Voltage/Current button (11).
2. Turn the Adjust knob (9), and utilize button (10) until the output voltage is set to exactly 5.000V.

Double-check that your current limit is set to 1.000A by pressing the Display Limit button (3). Don’t be concerned if the last digit in your voltage readout changes when you do this.

Multimeter Setup: Configure as a Voltmeter

We will begin with voltage measurements. Note that you plug the probes in differently depending on what you what to measure. Attach the probes so that you can measure DC voltage:

1. Locate the ports on the lower right of the meter used for measuring voltage.  Plug the black probe into the port labeled COM. Plug the red probe into the port labeled V Ω (diode symbol).
2. Turn the multimeter on by center dial switch so that it points to DC volts (V with straight solid and dashed lines above).
3. The display should say DC in the upper right-hand corner. Toggle it back and forth between DC V and AC V a few times to see how it works. Leave it set for DC.

Verify the Power Supply Readout Calibration

Using your circuit board, wire, and one of your resistors, build a simple circuit where your power supply is connected across a single resistor.  Check that the power supply voltage readout and the voltmeter readings agree by filling out Table 1 on the Data page.  Use Voltages of 5.00V, 4.00V, 3.00V, 2.00V and 1.00V.  In each case, set the power supply voltage, then read the voltage across the resistor with your multimeter.

Measure Resistance

Individual Resistance Measurements

1. Configure your multimeter as an Ohm-meter. Turn the center dial so that it points to the Ω symbol.
2. Check the ohmmeter zero: connect the probes together – you should get a very small number.
3. Isolate one of your resistors on your circuit board by attaching each lead to different conducting strips.
4. Attach the leads of the ohmmeter to the resistor leads. If you get the same small number that you got in step 2, read step 3 again carefully.
5. Measure and record the resistances of all three of your resistors in Data Table 2.

Series Resistance Measurement

Record the resistance of all three resistors connected in series on the Data Page. 

When you have measured all resistance values, create a new circuit by connecting all three resistors in series with your power supply.

Measure Current

We will verify that the current is everywhere equal in the series circuit above.

Remember:  you must be very careful whenever you configure your multimeter as an ammeter.

1. Verify that the power supply is still set for a 1.000A current limit. Press Display Limit to check. Ask a question if you are unsure.
2. Set the output voltage of your power supply to 5.000V.
3. Disconnect the red probe from your circuit and from the multimeter. Reconnect it to the port labeled mA μA. Note: μ = 10^-6 and m = 10^-3. You should always record numbers in SI units!
4. Look at the upper right-hand corner of the display, and confirm that you meter is configured to read DC current. If it says AC, then press the blue button on the upper left to toggle to DC mode.
5. Create a gap in your series circuit between the power supply and your first resistor. The best way to do this is to simply reposition the wire leading from the positive terminal of the power supply.
6. Observe that no current now flows in your circuit – it can’t get across the gap.
7. Jump across the gap using your ammeter as a jumper wire. You should measure a small current – on the order of a milliamp. If you measure a large current – on the order of one amp, disconnect the probes immediately and ask for help. Do not place the ammeter in parallel with any circuit element – especially the power supply!
8. Record your current reading on the Data Page.
9. Disconnect the ammeter from your circuit, and repair the gap. Make a gap in another location in the circuit (i.e. between resistors R₂ and R₃, as shown below) and measure the current again.  Record a total of three current measurements and record on the Data Page.  Describe the location of each measurement.