{"id":14321,"date":"2025-02-28T18:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T02:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/b\/?p=14321"},"modified":"2026-07-14T10:54:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:54:28","slug":"continuity-vs-resistance-how-to-test-both-with-a-multimeter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/b\/continuity-vs-resistance-how-to-test-both-with-a-multimeter\/","title":{"rendered":"Continuity vs. resistance & how to test both with a multimeter"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn the key differences between continuity and resistance testing and how to use your multimeter for each.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":14592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_aviaLayoutBuilderCleanData":"[av_image src='https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/b\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Updated-blog-rectangle-2-1500x430.jpg' attachment='14591' attachment_size='featured' copyright='' caption='' styling='' align='center' font_size='' overlay_opacity='0.4' overlay_color='#000000' overlay_text_color='#ffffff' animation='no-animation' hover='' appearance='' link='' target='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' lazy_loading='disabled' id='' custom_class='' av_element_hidden_in_editor='0' av_uid='av-zypj5d' admin_preview_bg=''][\/av_image]\r\n\r\n[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-m79exkrn' admin_preview_bg='']\r\nWhen your appliances start acting up, knowing how to use a multimeter can help you find the problem and repair it quickly. Two of the most common tests you\u2019ll want to understand how to perform are continuity and resistance.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhether it's a faulty switch, a broken heating element, or something else, these simple tests can point you in the right direction and help you get your appliances back up and running.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIf you need any replacement parts for your <\/span>home appliances<\/span>, you can enter your <\/span>model number<\/b><\/a> at<\/span> AppliancePartsPros.com<\/b><\/a> to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[lwptoc numeration=\"romannested\"]\r\n

Full safety notes below<\/a><\/p>\n\n

What is continuity?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nWhen an appliance part has continuity, it means that electricity can flow freely through that part or wire. It\u2019s like an open path for electricity to travel through.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nContinuity is a smaller resistance measurement. You can test a switch for continuity to see if it\u2019s making or breaking the electrical circuit as expected. Continuity testing can also test relay contacts to make sure they\u2019re closing the circuit when energized.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nBreaks, shorts, or poor connections in wiring harnesses, electrical cables, and cords can also be tested this way, as continuity testing checks for an uninterrupted path for electrical current through a wire or cable.<\/span>\r\n

What is resistance?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nResistance is measured in Ohms (\u2126). It measures the amount of difficulty an electric current has when it travels along a wire or another conductor. Resistance testing is used to verify the actual resistance value of resistors matches the specified or labeled resistance. It can also identify if a resistor is open (infinite or OL) or shorted (0 resistance).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nA lot of resistance can be a sign that something isn\u2019t working right. For example, if a heating element has too much resistance, it could mean it's worn out.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCommon parts that can be checked for resistance include heating elements in electric stoves, ovens and dryers as well as windings inside electric motors, wiring, printed circuit boards (PCBs), diodes and transistors.<\/span>\r\n

How to test for continuity with a multimeter<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nTesting for continuity is one of the easiest things you can do with a multimeter. If you're checking a part and you suspect it\u2019s broken, continuity testing will give you a quick answer.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHere\u2019s how to test for continuity:<\/span>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Turn your multimeter\u2019s dial to the continuity setting (usually represented by a sound wave or sideways WiFi symbol). You can also set the meter to the lowest resistance setting if your multimeter doesn\u2019t have a dedicated continuity option.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Plug the black meter probe into the \"COM\" (common) port and the red probe into the port labeled with the ohm symbol (\u03a9).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Touch the two probes together. If your multimeter is set to continuity, it should beep. If you\u2019re testing resistance, you\u2019ll see a reading (typically close to 0 ohms).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Place one probe on each end of the part you're testing. For instance, if you\u2019re testing a wire, touch one probe to each end of the wire. If your multimeter beeps, you have continuity \u2013 meaning the wire or part is good. If it doesn\u2019t beep (or shows infinite resistance), that means there's a break in the circuit and the part needs to be replaced.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nRead more: <\/b>How To Use A Multimeter To Check Appliance Parts<\/b><\/a>\r\n

    How to test for resistance with a multimeter<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nTesting for resistance is especially helpful when checking parts such as heating elements, thermostats, or any other part that should have a certain resistance level.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHere\u2019s how you can easily test for resistance:<\/span>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    1. Turn your multimeter dial to the resistance setting, which is indicated by the symbol \u03a9.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Plug the black probe into the \"COM\" port and the red probe into the port marked with the ohm symbol (\u03a9).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
    3. Make sure the appliance is disconnected from the power source so that you\u2019re only measuring the part\u2019s resistance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
    4. Place the meter probes on either end of the part you're testing. For example, when testing a heating element, touch one probe to each terminal of the element.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
    5. Check the results. A low resistance reading (close to zero) typically means the part is good. A high resistance or an infinite reading (the multimeter will usually display \"OL\" or \"\u221e\") usually means there\u2019s a break in the circuit and the part is faulty.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nRead more: <\/b>Tool Maintenance 101: The Basics You Need To Know<\/b><\/a>\r\n

      FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nFind answers to the most common questions about multimeters and how to use them when testing for continuity and resistance.<\/span>\r\n

      What kind of multimeter should I get?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIf you're working with higher currents, a 20A multimeter and above would be more appropriate, but a 15-20A model is usually sufficient for most household testing. In most homes, the average circuit is rated for 15 to 20 amps, while electric clothes dryer circuits are usually 30 amps and ranges are 50 amps.<\/span>\r\n

      What should I do when using a multimeter?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n