How to Test a Fuse With A Multimeter In A Few Minutes

A fuse can go bad without being blown and it will not perform optimally. In this situation, you might want to test your fuse with a multimeter. 

You can test for either continuity or resistance of the fuse using both digital and analog multimeters. For the continuity test, attach the two probes from the multimeter to the two metal ends of the fuse and you will hear a beep sound see a 0 or close to 0 value. That means the fuse is ok. If you do not hear any sound, the fuse is blown. 

To find out the precise steps of testing a fuse using a multimeter, keep reading. 

How to Test a Fuse With a Digital Multimeter? 

There are different types of digital multimeters that can be used to test fuses. Here is a list of digital multimeters you can use to test fuses;

1. Lap Multimeter 
2. Fluke Multimeter 
3. Harbor Freight Multimeter 

Here is how to test a fuse using a digital multimeter. You can do either a continuity test or a resistance test. We will describe both types in detail. 

Continuity Test 

This test lets you know if you have a complete circuit in the fuse. 

Step 1: Set Up The Multimeter 

Take your digital multimeter and plug in the red probe in the Ω or Ohms socket and the blackprobe in the common port (COM). 

Step 2: Take Out The Fuse From Housing 

Now, take out your fuse from the fuse box using a fuse puller. 

Step 3: Turn The Multimeter Into Continuity Setting 

Turn on the multimeter and turn it to the continuity setting. The soundwave symbol (like wifi wave symbol) means continuity in a digital multimeter. 

Step 4: Check Your Multimeter 

Touch the black and red probe ends together and you will hear a beep sound or see a 0 or close to 0 value. This means your multimeter is in good condition. However, for a blown multimeter, you won’t hear any sound or OL (open loop) will show on the display. 

Step 5: Test The Fuse Using Two probes Of The Multimeter

Put two probes to the two ends of the fuse. You should hear a beep sound. Some multimeters don’t produce the sound and instead there will be 0 value or close to 0 value on the display. 

If that is the case then the fuse is ok. If you don’t hear anything or there is OL (open loop) on display then the fuse is blown.

Source: StackExchange 

It doesn’t matter which probe you put to which end you will get the same result. 

Resistance Test 

Steps 1 and 2: Set Up The Multimeter and Take Out The Fuse From Housing

Follow the first two steps of the continuity test. 

Step 3: Turn The Multimeter Into Ohm Setting

Turn on the multimeter and turn it to the ohm setting. Set it to 200 ohm range. This Omega (Ω)symbol means ohm in a digital multimeter. 

Step 4: Test The Fuse For Resistance Reading 

Touch the black and red probe ends together and you will get the reading on the multimeter to be 0. This means your multimeter is in good condition. 

Step 5: Evaluate the Test Result 

Connect the two ends of the fuse with the two leads from the multimeter and see what reading you get. A good fuse will give you a reading of 0 or close to 0. A blown fuse will either not show any value or will show the original resistance value. 

Caution: Don’t conduct the resistance test on a metal surface. 

Summary

You can test the fuse using a digital multimeter either by resistance test or continuity test. In the continuity test, you are supposed to hear a beep or see a 0 or close to 0 value, but for the resistance test you will see an ohm value. 

How To Test A Fuse With An Analog Multimeter?

An analog multimeter works similarly to a digital multimeter except it has an analog display. It shows reading by moving a needle over a range of values. 

Here is how to do the continuity test using an analog multimeter: 

Steps 1 and 2: Set Up The Multimeter and Take Out The Fuse From Housing

Same as the digital multimeter. 

Step 3: Multimeter check

Turn the multimeter to the ohm setting. Touch the two probes together and you will see the needle moving to the other side to the 0 value. This means your analog multimeter is working properly. 

Step 4: Test The Fuse With Two Probes 

Touch the two ends of the fuse with two probes. If your multimeter needle moves to 0 value then the fuse is ok. If not then the fuse is blown. However, if the needle moves to other values like 1 or 2 ohm then the fuse is in bad condition.  

Summary 

Testing a fuse using an analog multimeter is similar in method to a digital multimeter. Instead of a digital data display, an analog multimeter moves a needle. 

What Types of Fuses Can You Test Using a Multimeter? 

You can test all sorts of fuses such as cartridge fuse, ceramic fuse, thermal Fuse, JCASE, Blade, and glass tube fuse using the methods mentioned above. 

How To Test Fuses With Three Prongs? 

This is a blade fuse with three prongs. To demonstrate how to test them we have marked the prongs as A, B, and C. You have to test this fuse twice as two different fuses.

First, connect two probes from the multimeter to A and B. Check if the wiring between them is blown. Then repeat the same process for B and C prongs. You can do both continuity and resistance tests with this fuse. 

Can You Test Fuse Without Removing Them? 

Yes, you can test fuse without removing them from a car’s fuse box. Majority of the vehicles nowadays use different types of blade fuses and they all can be tested without being removed. 

Here is how to test a fuse without removing them 

Using A Digital Multimeter

Here is how you can test a fuse using a digital multimeter. 

Step 1: Turn Off your Vehicle 

Make sure your car is turned off and no components are running. 

Step 2: Unplug Negative Battery Terminal 

It is recommended to unplug the negative battery terminal before you test a car fuse.

Step 3 and 4: Turn The Multimeter Into Continuity Setting and Check Your Multimeter

Same as the continuity test.  

Step 5: Test The Fuse Using Two probes From Multimeter 

Now, touch the two probes to the ends of the blade fuse. Your probes will touch the fuse at the two sides of the ampere rating as seen in the picture below. 

Step 6: Evaluation Of Test 

Now if your fuse is not blown you will hear a beep sound or see a value of 0 or close to 0 on the display. Otherwise, you won’t hear anything or OL (open loop) will appear on your multimeter. 

Using An Analog Multimeter 

Here is how to test a fuse using an analog multimeter. The process is similar except for an analog multimeter that uses needle movement instead of data reading. 

Steps 1, 2, and 3: Set Up The Multimeter , Take Out The Fuse From Housing and Turn The Multimeter Into Continuity Setting.  

Follow the same steps as the digital multimeter process. 

Step 4: Check Your Multimeter 

Do the multimeter check just like before. 

Step 5: Test Fuse Using The probes From Analog Multimeter 

Touch the two probes to the ends of the fuse and see if the needle moves to 0. If it does then the fuse is good. Otherwise, the fuse is blown. If the needle moves to 1 or 2 then the fuse is in bad condition. 

Also, you can test the fuse without using a multimeter at all. And if you don’t want to go through the trouble of testing then use this guide to detect a blown fuse. 

FAQs

Bottom Line 

Hopefully, this article assisted you to test a fuse with a multimeter. Doesn’t matter what type of multimeter or fuse you are using, this article has all the methods you need to check the fuse.