Testing Power Cord Continuity

User-Contributed Guide

User-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

How to determine if your electronic device's power cord is in working condition.

  • Author: dmchan
  • Time required: 1 to 5 minutes
  • Difficulty: Very easy
  • Add Note x
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A detailed guide on how to use a continuity tester to check for adequate electrical connection on a power cord.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Power Cord  ¶ 

  • Unplug the power cord from the game console and from the AC outlet. Failure to do so can result in electrical shock or death.

  • Set the multimeter to continuity test mode.

  • The setting is symbolized by a "volume indicator" as seen in the picture. If the meter is set to the correct mode, you should hear the meter beep when the leads are touched together.

  • Verify that the positive lead is plugged to the voltmeter/ ohmmeter outlet.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Test for a potential open circuit by using one multimeter lead to touch one of the prongs on the AC side of power cord. Use the other lead to touch one end of the console side of the power cord.

  • If there is an adequate electrical connection, the multimeter will beep. If it does not beep the first time, try using the lead to touch the other prong.

  • Repeat the above directions in step 2 for the other outlet and prong of the power cord.

  • If the multimeter fails to beep on any of the occasions outlined above, your power cord is open. In other words, you will need to replace the power cable.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Once you have verified that the power cord provides an adequate electrical connection, you will have to test that the cable is not shorted.

  • Test for a potential short circuit by touching each prong on the AC side of the power cord.

  • If the multimeter beeps, your power cord is bad and must be replaced immediately.

  • If your power cord is shorted, do not attempt to replug the cord into the AC outlet.

  • If your power cord has passed all of the steps above, then you have successfully tested that your power cord is in working order.

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