Checking the Integrity of Low voltage Safety Circuits

Sometimes getting the full expected voltage reading on a circuit can be misinterpreted. Don’t assume it means the connections in the path are OK. Use the methods here to test for acceptable impedance in the circuit.

Below is a great post from HVAC-talk.com

https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/1646711-having-an-issue-with-combination-Honeywell-Smart-valve-amp-ignitor-assembly-for-furnace

The only 100% reliable method for checking safeties (and board outputs) is to use a low impedance meter (or low impedance setting on the meter) or use an actual load. Even a 24 volt test light works great.

With a typical digital high impedance meter, you can read full voltage when you have a high resistance contact or connection.

Take a relay or contactor and connect it to the chain of safeties. If it pulls in, you have a low impedance path that shows you that you can eliminate any worries about the switches in that chain.

Credit to user timebuilder

AOP Committee/Professional Member

(End of post)

IMG_5713.jpg

This is a composite image and not an actual dial. It shows a variety of functions found on multiple Fluke digital multimeter dials. No single model contains all these functions. On many models, some function icons are displayed in yellow. This indicates the digital multimeter’s yellow function button must be pressed to select those measurements.

  1. ON/OFF switch

  2. AUTO-V/LoZ: prevents readings due to ghost voltage; found on the Fluke 114

  3. AC voltage/LoZ: uses low-input impedance

  4. AC voltage with low-pass filter

  5. VCHEKTM: permits simultaneous testing for voltage or continuity; found on the Fluke 113

  6. AC voltage

  7. AC millivolts

  8. DC voltage

  9. DC millivolts

  10. Temperature

  11. Continuity: when combined with sound button

  12. Resistance

  13. Capacitance

  14. Diode test

  15. AC, DC amps and milliamps

  16. AC, DC microamps

Digital multimeter buttons