How to measure clippage with a DMM?

 

Silver Member
Username: Letto

Milwaukee, WI

Post Number: 120
Registered: Jun-05
If I want to tell if my amp is clipping, and I have access to a DMM... would I be able to use it to do that?

Would I just check if it is outputting DC voltage, or how would I go about checking this?
 

Gold Member
Username: Invain

Michigan United States

Post Number: 3372
Registered: Aug-04
You can't measure clipping with a DMM. You need an oscilloscope.
 

Silver Member
Username: Letto

Milwaukee, WI

Post Number: 125
Registered: Jun-05
Glass said this "the tool to look for clipping is called an oscilloscope. you'd also want a DMM that reads true-RMS and has non-inductive leads."

So my guess is he's talking about using both of these together?
 

Gold Member
Username: Jonathan_f

GA USA

Post Number: 4348
Registered: May-04
If you want to get a ballpark on setting the gain correctly, a voltmeter can get you close, assuming your amplifier is rated correctly or underrated. Simple power equations, how much power is your amp rated for, at what voltage? After that, you'll need a dummy resistor.
 

Gold Member
Username: Glasswolf

Wisteria, Lane USA

Post Number: 8900
Registered: Dec-03
yessir
the DMM can measure AC voltage, but it can't visualize a sine wave to see clipping like the scope can
 

Silver Member
Username: Letto

Milwaukee, WI

Post Number: 127
Registered: Jun-05
It doesn't say how much power at what voltage on the websites specs... just the power at the given impedance.

Per channel Power:

125 W X 2 @ 4 Ohms RMS

250 W X 2 @ 2 Ohms RMS

500 W X 1 @ 4 Ohms Bridged RMS

1500 Watts Peak/Max

Given this information, and given I have access to a DMM, is there any way I can either set the gains properly or be able to tell if they are set improperly?
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