Posted by alinepapille on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/Multimeter-tp1544795p1544802.html

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for resending that info. I have been corresponding with
Michael Neuert and he says the ground lead needs to be connected to
something that sticks into the earth (which means getting a long wire
as we are upstairs. Is this what you mean when you say 'goes to
ground'?

Thanks,
Aline

Stewart wrote:

Any basic multimeter will do. They are cheap now-a-days, and are easy
to come by.

I measured up to 3V AC, when standing under distribution lines. (The
smaller voltage one step above entering your home)
I can only wonder what voltage would be measured under the Big ones,
or along the highway.

Back on Dec.26, Stewart wrote:

multimeters are a way to directly measure the effect the 120V AC has
on any of us.

Start with any basic multimeter.
Set it to AC Voltage
Set the range to 2 V AC, or 20 V AC if in an extreme environment.

It is easier with a banana jack and wall plug, available at
lessemf.com, but I was surprised for the money, there was nothing
special about the hardware sold. But then, I have a technical
background, and so can make my own cords and plugs, and already have
some outlet ground cords around for other shielding solutions.

The Common or Negative/Black jack goes to Ground.
The Positive/Red jack goes to your skin. Thumb squeezing when holding
meter is good.

Then walk around, sit down, stand up. See how the voltage changes with
activity, position, and location. Then hold still so the meter
settles, to get a useful number.

Also, to take outdoor measurements, I used a long metal rod, (meat or
compost thermometer), to stick in the ground like a ground rod. Then
an alligator clip from the rod to the black multimeter probe.

I've noticed the resulting voltage is directly related to the distance
to power lines. When I walked into the woods, and reached a distance
of 1000 feet, the voltage went to zero.

Stewart