Testing Power Cord Continuity

Written By: Darren Chan
  • Comments: 16
Testing Power Cord Continuity

Difficulty

Very easy

Steps

3

Time Required

1 - 5 minutes

Introduction

A detailed guide on how to use a continuity tester to check for adequate electrical connection on a power cord.

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    • Unplug the power cord from the device and from the AC outlet. Failure to do so can result in electrical shock or death.

    • Set the multimeter to continuity test mode.

    • The setting is symbolized by a diode or sound wave symbol as seen in the pictures. If the meter is set to the correct mode, you should hear the meter beep when the leads are touched together.

    • Verify that the positive lead is plugged to the voltmeter/ ohmmeter outlet.

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    • Test for a potential open circuit by using one multimeter lead to touch one of the prongs on the AC side of power cord. Use the other lead to touch one end of the console side of the power cord.

    • If there is an adequate electrical connection, the multimeter will continuously beep. A short beep does not mean that there is continuity. If it does not beep the first time, try using the lead to touch the other prong.

    • Repeat the above directions in step 2 for the other outlet and prong of the power cord.

    • If the multimeter fails to beep on any of the occasions outlined above, your power cord is open. In other words, you will need to replace the power cable.

    Est-il possible de brancher sur une autre prise alimentée pour savoir si cordon et appareil sont non défectueux ??? Sans danger; faire sauter fusibles etc. Merci.

    maddy lode -

    Could that be the problem why I am not getting but just a tad of electricity to my outlets I'm not getting enough power to run anything?

    mellichampc -

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    • Once you have verified that the power cord provides an adequate electrical connection, you will have to test that the cable is not shorted.

    • Test for a potential short circuit by touching each prong on the AC side of the power cord.

    • If the multimeter beeps, your power cord is bad and must be replaced immediately.

    • If your power cord is shorted, do not attempt to replug the cord into the AC outlet.

    • If your power cord has passed all of the steps above, then you have successfully tested that your power cord is in working order.

    is there a guide like this very useful one but to test the surface power cords ?

    david burchall -

Author

Darren Chan

Member since: 28/10/09

5321 Reputation

13 comments

Thank you very much.

Kaky Jerry -

Wow Wow Just a Great Guide, Now I have learned one more skill :)

Muhammad Imran -

Brilliant love it

Liam Breen -

Worked like a charm I feelik an electrician

hadpaulkh -

I found this really wonderful and useful with details explained very well. I was always wondering what the electricians do with a multimeter. Now iI would buy one multimeter and do this on my own. Great and cool guide. Write more guides for other tests and verification.

Avinash S -

great job i love

fcradiony -

Superb...thanks a lot!!

chella narayanan -

Thank you….. very useful

raj.bm13 -

Great guide very helpfull.

Anthony -

Now I know how to test a power cord.

How do I test a switch?

Frank Lawrence -

Can you do a continuity test on the Xbox One Original CONSOLE ?

Anas Faisal -

if one side of an extension lead is permently connected to electricity and it's unreachable, is it ok to test it from one side only?

reoc z -

can i check an extension cord from one side?

does it should the electricity switched off, even if i’m using a proper testing machine?

reoc z -