Digital multimeter not only can measure voltage, current, resistance, capacitors, transistors and other basic parameters, but also through the alternative use can expand the functions of it, then make itself into a multi-function meter.
Today, I am going to introduce a way of how to determine the breakpoint of the wire or cable.
When there some breaks with wire or cable, as the external package of the wire or cable have insulations, so to determine the exact location of the breakpoint is very hard. We can use digital multimeter to help us solve the problem. The specific methods are as follow: put one side of the wire or cable that has a breakpoint connected to the firing line of 220V, and put the other side floating in the air. We can set the digital multimeter in the AC-2V profile, from the access side of firing line to started, one hand hold on the point of the black meter pen, the other hand hold the red meter pen move on the external insulation of the wire or cable's package, this time, the value of voltage displays about 0.445V. If the red meter pen move on to someplace which the voltage is suddenly dropped to 0.0 a few volts which display on the screen, so we can certain the location of the breakpoint is forward 15cm along the access side which on the firing line.
If use this way to check shield, it will no use in this situation that is only wire broken and shield package is not broken.
If your job is always facing to check the circuit or determine the breakpoints of wire or cable, you might need a handheld digital multimeter.
Source: ezinearticles.com