How to Find the Current From the Power Source
- 1). Connect the two probes that are connected to your ammeter to the source of the electrical current you are testing -- if applicable. How you will do this depends heavily on what you are trying to test. The two probes will be red (positive) and black (negative) in color. For example, if you're trying to test the current flowing through a car battery, connect the red probe to the positive input on the battery and connect the black probe to the negative input on the battery.
- 2). Place the built-in sensors on your ammeter as close to the source of your electrical current as you can get them -- if applicable. Some ammeters have built-in sensors and are not required to be physically connected to the source of the current to take a reading. These ammeters will not come with probes and will instead have little metal rods protruding from the top of the device.
- 3). Turn on the source of your electrical current.
- 4). Turn on your ammeter. If your ammeter is capable of taking readings of a few different properties in addition to current, verify that the ammeter is set to display the electrical current. With the source of the current on, the ammeter will immediately begin taking a reading and will display this information on its screen. Current is measured in amperes.
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