Turning DMM function selector with leads connected

Hello,
Right now I'm beginning my adventure with electronics so I bought
myself a multimeter -
Kyoritsu 1009
(http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/multimeters/1009.html).

The manual states: "Do not turn the function selector switch with test
leads connected to the instrument."

My questions are:
- How seriously should I treat this warning?
- What are the consequences of not following it?

Regards,
Rpodraza

 

[Robert Baer]

rpodraza@gmail.com wrote:

Hello,
Right now I'm beginning my adventure with electronics so I bought
myself a multimeter -
Kyoritsu 1009
(http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/multimeters/1009.html).

The manual states: "Do not turn the function selector switch with test
leads connected to the instrument."

My questions are:
- How seriously should I treat this warning?
- What are the consequences of not following it?

Regards,
Rpodraza

I believe the intest was to not turn the function selector switch

with anything *connected* to the test leads.
For example, the DMM is on the 700VAC range and is connected to
line/mains voltage; changing the range to ohms, or current will surely
damage the DMM and most likely a permenant damage.
Not as bad, but say the DMM is reading 20VDC and one switches ot the
1K ohms scale.....
Methinks you get the picture.
When in doubt of a signal, start on the highest AC (or DC) range and
work down; usually one knows if the signal is AC or DC.
If one suspects the signal to be nmeasured is inexcess of 1000V, then
do *not* directly use the DMM; make an appropiate voltage divider.