testing voltage on a molex connector

[gavinh]

I have one of these connectors.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Molex_female_connector.jpg/800px-Molex_female_connector.jpg

I have an ACDC adaptor plugged into the wall and the cable off it is a molex
connector.

I want to test the voltage on the molex connector.

a)does it have to be plugged into a device(so I backprobe)? Or can I just stick
probes in the front when it's not connected to a device.

now the following one is the most important question.

b)I can stick the red wire from the multi-meter on the red connector of the
molex, the red connector on the molex should be 5V

The black connector on the multi-meter, I suppose i'd put on a metal case.

NOW..

If I put the black probe onto the black of the molex connector, then am I damaging
anything? might I break something?

if so, then what ? the multimeter? any damage to the molex connector?

 

[John Fields]

On 28 Dec 2010 13:20:01 +0100, "gavinh" <corneliusy@notmyemailadd.com>
wrote:

I have one of these connectors.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Molex_female_connector.jpg/800px-Molex_female_connector.jpg

I have an ACDC adaptor plugged into the wall and the cable off it is a molex
connector.

I want to test the voltage on the molex connector.

a)does it have to be plugged into a device(so I backprobe)? Or can I just stick
probes in the front when it's not connected to a device.

---
If the adapter is regulated, then you should be able to probe at the
connector, with no load attached.

If it's unregulated, then you'll need to connect the load to it in
order to get a meaningful reading.
---

now the following one is the most important question.

b)I can stick the red wire from the multi-meter on the red connector of the
molex, the red connector on the molex should be 5V

The black connector on the multi-meter, I suppose i'd put on a metal case.

---
Since what you're trying to measure is the voltage at the connector,
why would you connect the black probe wire to a metal case somewhere?
---

NOW..

If I put the black probe onto the black of the molex connector, then am I damaging
anything?

---
No.
---

might I break something?

---
No.

---
JF

 

[gavinh]

John Fields <jfields@austininstruments.com> wrote:

On 28 Dec 2010 13:20:01 +0100, "gavinh" <corneliusy@notmyemailadd.com
wrote:


I have one of these connectors.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Molex_female_connector.jpg/800px-Molex_female_connector.jpg

I have an ACDC adaptor plugged into the wall and the cable off
it is a molex
connector.

I want to test the voltage on the molex connector.

a)does it have to be plugged into a device(so I backprobe)? Or can
I just stick
probes in the front when it's not connected to a device.

---
If the adapter is regulated, then you should be able to probe at the
connector, with no load attached.

If it's unregulated, then you'll need to connect the load to it in
order to get a meaningful reading.

ok

---

now the following one is the most important question.

b)I can stick the red wire from the multi-meter on the red connector
of the
molex, the red connector on the molex should be 5V

The black connector on the multi-meter, I suppose i'd put on a metal
case.

---
Since what you're trying to measure is the voltage at the connector,
why would you connect the black probe wire to a metal case somewhere?
---

I just want to know what I can do..
so, what would work.

so i know what wouldn't work. or what could mess things up!

NOW..

If I put the black probe onto the black of the molex connector, then
am I damaging
anything?

---
No.
---

might I break something?

---
No.

---
JF

great,

ta