Answered Can you use a multimeter to confirm a dead MC cartridge?

[trumpetman]

I have used one to confirm a suspect MM, after doing all the usual checks.
Can you use a multimeter on a suspect MC cart given their very delicate electrical construction?

 

[Paul55]

All basic digital multimeters will measure sub-ohm resistances, may be not accurately, but enough to confirm that both channels are the same and have a reasonable resistance. You would expect a few ohms but the actual number is quite variable by cartridge design.

No digital multimeter will send enough current through a resistance under test to do any damage.

So 'yes'. I would avoid using an analogue meter though, especially a cheap one., probably fine but...

 

[Tony_J]

All basic digital multimeters will measure sub-ohm resistances, may be not accurately, but enough to confirm that both channels are the same and have a reasonable resistance. You would expect a few ohms but the actual number is quite variable by cartridge design.

No digital multimeter will send enough current through a resistance under test to do any damage.

So 'yes'. I would avoid using an analogue meter though, especially a cheap one., probably fine but...

Even the cheap ones will only pass minute currents on the resistance settings, but I would avoid any kind of continuity tester.

 

[Paul55]

I would be cautious of using something like Amazon product

But any cheap digital job will be fine.

 

[rabski]

Ordinary digital multimeters will be fine. Some older analogue ones (Avos, for example) actually run quite a high current at some resistance measuring scales. Modern self-ranging DMMs use a minute current and are high impedance sources, so no problem.

As Tony suggests, avoid 'continuity testers', as they may put a significant current through what is being tested.

 

[mac72]

Most of MM carts have high coil resistance so it should be safe even with a analogue multimeter as dissipation would be in a couple mV region
With MC carts I'd check the specs - open circuit voltage on specific resistance test or the maximum test current if applicable and calculate dissipation as most manufacturers give coil impedance value

 

[sktn77a]

To be safe, I'd use the multimeter to exclude all other parts of the phono signal path. If they are all good, then the problem is with the cartridge requiring repair/replacement.