Testing wires?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=24788
Printed Date: July 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Topic: Testing wires?
Posted By: domiyork809
Subject: Testing wires?
Date Posted: January 17, 2004 at 9:23 PM
Is it possible to get a reading out of a wire wtihout breaking the insulation? (12 volt). Thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: tom cat
Date Posted: January 17, 2004 at 9:31 PM
what do you want to read they do have a meter that will show the if a wire is broke for shorts
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: January 17, 2004 at 10:06 PM
You can usually find where the wire goes into a connector and test it there. This would be the only real way to not break the insulation.
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Posted By: domiyork809
Date Posted: January 19, 2004 at 9:01 PM
No, just lookig for a signal, ground or positive. I know that for electrical conection(Home, Ac) there is this tool that just by resting it next to the wire it will read any current flowing thru it. Do they make anything similar for autos(12 volt)?
Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: January 20, 2004 at 8:07 PM
You are mistaking the two things. One in that you wish to be able to measure a ground, or positive voltage source, or the lack of.
The second is current. Both are measured differently with a DMM.
If you wish to measure current, without touching the wire, then you can use a clamp meter which uses inductive measuring techniques. It simply clamps over the target wire.
The other method to measure current is to cut the wire and place the meter in series of the circuit.
If you only wish to know if there is a voltage present, then there are devices to do the same. Again, they are inductive devices which measure the emitted EMF of the wire.
I personally use a Fluke 337, but any of the models are fine. It is the low end resolution that you will not get compared to a DMM.
Regards
EVIL Teken . . .
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