How to tell if coil has short with multi meter?

[Verifieddan]

Yes I'm very new, and this question has probably already been asked.

When I test coil for ohms reading with multi meter how do I also see if there is a short?

 

[RMarcusY]

If the reading is 0.0 ohm.

 

[tchthsky]

Don't forget to take your meter's internal resistance into account. Whatever it is, subtract it from the reading you get from the coil.

 

[BoomStick]

Few multimeters are accurate enough for our purposes. Getting an ohm checker made for vapers is a good idea.

 

[tchthsky]

I use a Fluke, with alligator clips for good contact... I wouldn't trust any of the cheaper digital meters or the analog versions. I would think a meter designed for vaporizers would be a good idea, as long as it's accurate. What brand would be advised?

 

[BoomStick]

I bet it only reads to 1/10th of an ohm. We really need one that measures to the 1/100th. These are considered to be about the best for vapers and they measure to the 1/1,000th. The cheapest model they have would do just fine.
http://www.usaohmmeters.com/

 

[tchthsky]

you are correct, .1 ohm is max. I figured that would be sufficient.

 

[BoomStick]

That means a .05 coil will read .1. 4 volts and .05 ohms is 320 watts. 4 volts and .1 ohms is 160 watts. 1/10th of an ohm of accuracy isn't enough.

 

[tchthsky]

I have never gone below .4 ohms...which is another topic I plan to explore... thanks for the info.

 

[Slurp812]

My meter will read fairly low, but the leads themselves have a bit of resistance too. The scale is 200 ohms. So it will read down to .1, but not with the accuracy of something with a much lower scale. Would I use this to build ~0.1 ohms coils, yes. But I would strongly recommend against it. I use a regulated mod, and don't have anything below 0.5. Don't want to. Get a reader if this how you want to build!!!