# Measuring high voltage low current using a resistor and measuring the amps

Is it possible to measure a voltage beyond what your multimeter is capable of measuring by measuring the amps providing you know the resistance? Just wondering if the voltage would still harm the meter.

• How high are we talking about? Why not setup a resistive divider? (Also take into account the breakdown voltage of the resistors themselves, in which case you can use many in series). – Wesley Lee Oct 9 '17 at 2:56
• Were talking around 2K VAC. – user1897830 Oct 9 '17 at 3:02
• If you can accept some small error, get a cheap TekPower TP7040 ( amazon.com/dp/B0006GD7NU ) which already does 1000 VAC at $9\frac{\textrm{k}\Omega}{\textrm{V}}$; $9\:\textrm{M}\Omega$ input resistance at the $1000\:\textrm{V}$ setting. Add four $2.2\:\textrm{M}\Omega$ resistors in series into the plastic body of one of your probes. (Four because they usually stand off $200\:\textrm{V}$ each.) You really want them to be $9\:\textrm{M}\Omega$, but the slight added error is probably okay. The meter already has 4% error spec; another few % may be fine. – jonk Oct 9 '17 at 6:12
• Thanks Guys, I think I will just build a voltage divider. – user1897830 Oct 9 '17 at 12:44