Continuity test
Encyclopedia
In electronics
, a continuity test is the checking of an electric circuit to see if current flows (that it is in fact a complete circuit).
A continuity test is performed by placing a small voltage (wired in series with an LED
or noise-producing component such as a piezoelectric speaker) across the chosen path. If electron flow is inhibited by broken conductors, damaged components, or excessive resistance
, the circuit is "open".
Devices that can be used to perform continuity tests include multimeter
s which measure current and specialized continuity tester
s which are cheaper, more basic devices, generally with a simple light bulb that lights up when current flows.
An important application is the continuity test of a bundle of wires so as to find the two ends belonging to a particular one of these wires; there will be a negligible resistance between the "right" ends, and only between the "right" ends.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, a continuity test is the checking of an electric circuit to see if current flows (that it is in fact a complete circuit).
A continuity test is performed by placing a small voltage (wired in series with an LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
or noise-producing component such as a piezoelectric speaker) across the chosen path. If electron flow is inhibited by broken conductors, damaged components, or excessive resistance
Electrical resistance
The electrical resistance of an electrical element is the opposition to the passage of an electric current through that element; the inverse quantity is electrical conductance, the ease at which an electric current passes. Electrical resistance shares some conceptual parallels with the mechanical...
, the circuit is "open".
Devices that can be used to perform continuity tests include multimeter
Multimeter
A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM , is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter may include features such as the ability to measure voltage, current and resistance...
s which measure current and specialized continuity tester
Continuity tester
A continuity tester is an item of electrical test equipment used to determine if an electrical path can be established between two points; that is if an electrical circuit can be made...
s which are cheaper, more basic devices, generally with a simple light bulb that lights up when current flows.
An important application is the continuity test of a bundle of wires so as to find the two ends belonging to a particular one of these wires; there will be a negligible resistance between the "right" ends, and only between the "right" ends.
External links
- acmehowto.com - continuity test