How to read a multimeter (digital) -- should I get 2A readings from a couple of AA batteries?
Votage readings are taken with the meter in parallel with the load.

Current readings are taken with the meter in series with the load.

A voltmeter presents a very high resistance load to the circuit. The ammeter presents a very low resistance load to the circuit.







simulate this circuit &ndash; Schematic created using CircuitLab

Figure 1. Correct way to measure voltage and current.

By connecting the ammeter in parallel with the load you have drawn the full short-circuit current that the battery is capable of. This will have blown the mA fuse but the battery isn't powerful enough to blow the 10 A fuse. If you had tried it on a car battery it would have - and if there is no 10 A fuse (as is common in the cheap meters) it would have burned out the shunt or PCB tracks and possibly destroyed the meter.

Never short-circuit a battery with an ammeter.