DC high-current measurement:

In common with many simple multimeters, both analogue and digital, the high current range (e.g. 10A) is not only selected using the range selector switch but a separate input connection must also be made. The reason for this is simply that the range switch and associated wiring is not designed to carry a high current. Instead, the high-current shunt is terminated separately at its own '10A' socket.

The connections and range selector settings to permit high-current DC measurement are shown below. The range selector is set to DC, 10A and the red and black test leads are connected to '10A' and '-' respectively. The pointer is reading midway between 8 and 10 on the range that has 10 as its full-scale indication. The actual reading indicated is thus 9A.