Quick question about DMM

[LeonR]

Hiya. So, I've bought a cheap DMM for some tinkering with electronics from ali (an Aneng 8009). But there's one thing bothering me: When on some scales, the DMM shows values even with no loads (or even probes!) attached to it. I've made a small video showing it.



(there's some people talking on the background, just ignore it)

It's been more than a decade since I've last had one in my hands, and I don't remember if it is normal or if I have a defective one. Any help would be appreciated.

[Fungus]

Millivolts with no leads attached is normal, nothing to worry about. It's capacitance in the environment, you can influence the numbers by waving your hands near the meter.

To get rid of it: Attach the leads and short them together.

[rsjsouza]

Totally normal, especially in the mV range. The higher sensitivity is actually picking up noise from the environment.

The temperature range is fine as well - it is measuring the ambient temperature.

Nada que seja preocupante. Use o bichinho sem neuras. 

[LeonR]

Millivolts with no leads attached is normal, nothing to worry about. It's capacitance in the environment, you can influence the numbers by waving your hands near the meter.

To get rid of it: Attach the leads and short them together.

That's good to know! I've tried shorting the leads, but as soon as I disconnect them, the reading would start again.

Thanks!

Totally normal, especially in the mV range. The higher sensitivity is actually picking up noise from the environment.

The temperature range is fine as well - it is measuring the ambient temperature.

Nada que seja preocupante. Use o bichinho sem neuras. 

Thanks! I was worried about the voltage readings, since I didn't remember if it was normal on the mV scale.

[Fungus]

I've tried shorting the leads, but as soon as I disconnect them, the reading would start again.

Of course - the environment didn't go away!

nb. They're connected when you're measuring things, that's all that matters.