Where must you touch your meter leads when checking voltage?

When checking voltage, it is essential to touch your meter leads across the load you are measuring. This is because measuring voltage at the load provides an accurate representation of the voltage that is actually being used by the device or circuit under normal operating conditions.

By placing the meter leads across the load, you can effectively assess whether the load is receiving the appropriate voltage to function correctly. This method helps in diagnosing issues such as under-voltage or over-voltage conditions that may affect the performance of equipment.

While checking at the source of power or at the circuit breaker can provide insights into the overall system, those points might not reflect voltage drop or load conditions experienced by the equipment itself. Similarly, measuring on the ground wire does not provide useful information about the voltage supplied to the load and is typically not considered a safe or effective method for voltage measurement. Thus, measuring across the load is the best practice for truly understanding the voltage conditions affecting the equipment.