Which instrument would you use to verify electrical continuity by measuring resistance?

• A. Multimeters
• B. Clamp meter
• C. Wire strippers
• D. Conduit bender

Answer: (A)

When you want to confirm a complete conductive path between two points, you’re testing continuity by looking at resistance. A device that can measure resistance (ohms) and often has a continuity test mode is ideal for this. A multimeter lets you set the scale to ohms, place its probes on the two points, and read the resistance. If the path is good, you’ll see a low, expected resistance or hear a beep indicating continuity. If the path is open or has a bad connection, the resistance will be very high or infinite, signaling a problem. It’s also common to use the continuity setting to get an audible indication, which makes quick checks easier.

Other tools here aren’t suited for this task: a clamp meter measures current by clamping around a conductor, not resistance; wire strippers remove insulation from wires; conduit bender shapes conduit. So for verifying continuity by measuring resistance, the multimeter is the appropriate instrument. Remember to ensure the circuit is de-energized before measuring resistance to protect the meter and yourself.