I had a thread a while back where I was trying to figure out where the leads of an ATX like connector were terminating on a server motherboard and when I would test some connections I would get a short beep (about 1/4 - 1/2 second) the first time I touch a motherboard lead (with a lead connected to an ATX pin) and then it wouldn't happen again if I touched it in the next minute or so. I could test the same leads maybe 15-30+ minutes later and I'd get the same short beep. This didn't happen with all the leads just some, maybe 10-20% of the motherboard leads I tested.
I also just started testing some used 50v/4700uf caps & 25v/10000uf caps (about 300 total) and I'm getting the same type of error. I'm using alligator clips on the meter and they are not touching at all, and there is no charge in the caps. I'll get the initial short beep and then when I test it again it doesn't beep. I'm testing these b/c in some caps I've found that they can be shorted inside so I wanted to at least sort ones that had this short.
So I was wondering how continuity testing works, if it sends a "high voltage" through the 2 leads and if the circuit in the meter is completed, it beeps. So I'm wondering if there is something in the meter that is causing this or if the meter might be bad. BTW, it is a "Southwire" auto sensing meter (auto detects range of measurement) and was about $45-50 at Home
Depot. I do get some odd behavior on the meter at times, especially when testing ohms, but I think that might have to do with the auto-ranging feature as well as possibly the item being tested (it seems pretty good on "static" resistors though).
I also just started testing some used 50v/4700uf caps & 25v/10000uf caps (about 300 total) and I'm getting the same type of error. I'm using alligator clips on the meter and they are not touching at all, and there is no charge in the caps. I'll get the initial short beep and then when I test it again it doesn't beep. I'm testing these b/c in some caps I've found that they can be shorted inside so I wanted to at least sort ones that had this short.
So I was wondering how continuity testing works, if it sends a "high voltage" through the 2 leads and if the circuit in the meter is completed, it beeps. So I'm wondering if there is something in the meter that is causing this or if the meter might be bad. BTW, it is a "Southwire" auto sensing meter (auto detects range of measurement) and was about $45-50 at Home
Depot. I do get some odd behavior on the meter at times, especially when testing ohms, but I think that might have to do with the auto-ranging feature as well as possibly the item being tested (it seems pretty good on "static" resistors though).