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 – 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.

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 – 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.

Votage readings are taken with the meter in parallel with the load.

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

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 – 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.