Test Instrument Guides and How-To Articles
How to use multimeters, insulation testers, clamp meters and other test instruments: step-by-step guides, safety rules and model comparisons from Vicimeter.
Milliohm Meter Calibration: How Often and How (VC480C+)
How often to calibrate a VC480C+ milliohm meter, free factory recalibration or a CNAS/ISO 17025 certificate, pass/fail tolerances, in-house checks.
Milliohm Meter vs Multimeter: 4-Wire Kelvin Explained
Why a multimeter can't read milliohms, how 4-wire Kelvin measurement removes lead resistance, and how to measure joints, crimps and windings properly.
LCR Meter vs Multimeter: Inductance, Capacitance, ESR
How a multimeter's capacitance range differs from an LCR meter, when each is enough, ESR and test frequency, series vs parallel, and which meter to choose.
Insulation Tester vs Multimeter: When Ohms Is Not Enough
Why a multimeter's ohms range misses insulation faults, what an insulation tester and an insulation multimeter do, what an EV multimeter is, and how to choose.
CAT III vs CAT IV Multimeter: Which Rating You Need
CAT III covers panels and building wiring, CAT IV the service entrance and utility meter. Transient ratings, test leads, and how to pick a meter per job.
Multimeter Counts Explained: 2000 vs 6000 vs 20000
What multimeter counts and digits mean, how 2000, 6000 and 20000 counts set resolution on each range, and why counts are not the same as accuracy.
How to Test Ground Electrode Resistance: 3-Pole Method
How to test ground electrode resistance using the 3-pole fall-of-potential method: spike layout, 62% verification, stray voltage checks, and NEC limits.
How to Test Parasitic Battery Drain on a 12V Car or Truck
Measure 12V parasitic battery drain with a manual-range multimeter, keep modules asleep with a jumper, and trace the fault by fuse mV drop or DC clamp.
How to Measure Motor and Shaft RPM with a Tachometer
Practical guide to measuring motor RPM and belt surface speed with laser, photo, and contact tachometers, including motor slip and common errors.
How to Test Solar Panels in the Field: Voc, Isc and Pmax
Learn how to test solar panels in the field using Voc, Isc, Pmax, side-by-side module comparisons, fault patterns, and IEC 62446-1 insulation checks.
How to Test EV High-Voltage System Insulation Resistance
Step-by-step guide to testing EV high-voltage insulation resistance on 400 V and 800 V systems: test voltage selection, test points, and pass/fail limits.
How to Test Motor Windings for Resistance and Insulation
Step-by-step guide to testing three-phase motor windings: 4-wire milliohm balance, temperature correction, IEEE 43 insulation, PI, and inductance checks.