You can use a multimeter to test fuses and light bulbs to see if they are blown. There are two types of home electrical fuses with those being the screw in types and the cartridge fuses.
The screw in type fuses are the small round type with threads that screw into the older type electrical fuse panels. Take your multimeter and put the setting dial on continuity beeper. Touch your black and red leads together and you should hear a beeping sound. To test a screw in type fuse touch one lead to the base threads on the fuse and touch the other lead to the small metal tip on the end of the fuse. If you hear a beep the fuse is good and if not the fuse is bad.
Cartridge fuses are long cylinder type fuses with two metal ends. touch the two ends with the two meter leads and if it beeps it is good and if it doesn’t beep the fuse is bad.
Light bulbs test the same way as the screw in type fuse. Touch one lead to the threaded metal base and touch the other lead to the small metal tip on the end of the bulb. A beep shows continuity and means the bulb is good and no beep means the bulb is blown.
That is basically all there is to it when it comes to testing fuses and light bulbs using a multimeter. With most meters of this type there are several different settings including voltages with ac and dc power. Several different ohms settings to check resistance. Like most other things you normally get what you pay for in a meter. If you buy a 5 dollar meter that is what you get or if you buy a 100 dollar meter you can bet that it will be a good one. Personally, I like Fluke equipment. They make excellent meters and other electrical testing equipment.
Get Your AC and DC Voltage Meters Here.
Below is a direct link to all my “How To” articles on eHow.com. More How To Articles Here!
