What is a multimeter anyway? Multimeters are covered in cryptic symbols and buttons, but don't let that intimidate you. There are three basic functions you'll use most often: measuring voltage ...

Measuring Voltage With a multimeter, you can measure both AC and DC voltage—particularly useful for locating short circuits or determining if a rechargeable battery is holding a charge.

Volts are the pressure of the water (psi), amps are the number of gallons per minute (volume), and ohms are anything that limit the flow. To measure electrical energy, a multimeter has two wire leads.