Measuring current draw

[r4z0r7o3]

I'm trying to figure out how much current my digispark setup is using at various points in it's code.  However, it seems that when I put my multimeter in-line with the power-source, it shows only a very small 1Ma but the digispark never powers up (LED doesn't come on).  Is there something special I need to do to?

[semicolo]

Strange does your connection look like

+ ---- Ampmeter ---- Digispark+


Gnd --------------------Digispark Gnd

[Mark]

Most ammeters also need the +ve lead to be shifted.
often there are two choices 200 (or 300mA) and 10Amp

Use the 200mA hole.


Just remember to return the lead otherwise next time you measure something , there is a loud bang, a flash and a couple of smells.



Mark

[semicolo]

Yeah but if you're in the wrong hole the ammeter displays 0 because the circuit is open.

[Mark]

Perhaps a clear picture of your meter would help us, help you.

Yeah but if you're in the wrong hole the ammeter displays 0 because the circuit is open.

If the leads are plugged into the 10A one, there is a shunt, and when you go to measure the voltage, its effectively a short circuit.
There is usually a flash, bang, and funny smells (one is not the burning smell), and the meter reads zero or 0.
 
I think the original Op has the leads in wrong place because his DigiSpark doesn't fire up, rather than just reading 0.

Mark

[semicolo]

I mean if the meter is set to 10A but the lead is in the wrong hole, no current is flowing and the meter reads 0 (same if the the lead is in the 10A hole and the meter is set to some mA setting) but he states the meters displays 1mA (probably not a Mega amp)