Multimeter Recommendations

[Mikegh]

Prob new stuff with the oscilloscope I dunno

 

[DPG]

Someone shoot me down

Multimeters to me was always DIY

Current- you'd use a clamp

Ohms I'd use the IR tester/resistance tester

Voltage I'd use the 2 wire tester

A multimeter is certainly not DIY only!!

 

[Mikegh]

A multimeter is certainly not DIY only!!

I'd be always testing low ohms and high ohms with the IR tester

Voltage with 2 wire probe

Current with a clamp

 

[DPG]

I'd be always testing low ohms and high ohms with the IR tester

Voltage with 2 wire probe

Current with a clamp

Depends what you're testing. Normal electrical wiring then all the MFT functions are fine. Electronic engineering stuff, alarms, etc. then the resolution and accuracy you get with a good multimeter will be more appropriate.

 

[RDB85]

This one seems okay for what I need:

ACT/6000 Alarm Engineers Autoranging Multimeter | ACT Meters

Exceptionally tough and compact, this digital autoranging multimeter, exclusive to ACT, offers great functionality and ease of use for the alarm engineer

www.actmeters.co.uk

 

[telectrix]

I'd be always testing low ohms and high ohms with the IR tester

Voltage with 2 wire probe

Current with a clamp

your problem there is the range/s on your MFT. on continuity >199 ohms is O/L. on IR ranges anything under 0.1 Meg reads approx. 0. this is where the multimeter comes in, e.g. fire alarm eOL can be 2.2.K up to 6.8K. MFT no chance.

 

[telectrix]

This one seems okay for what I need:

ACT/6000 Alarm Engineers Autoranging Multimeter | ACT Meters

Exceptionally tough and compact, this digital autoranging multimeter, exclusive to ACT, offers great functionality and ease of use for the alarm engineer

www.actmeters.co.uk

that's out of stock. see this Fluke.

Fluke 15B+ Auto Range Digital Multimeter Voltage Probe Meter With TL75 Test Lead | eBay

Fluke has always been to provide you with superior quality. 3 Specifications do not include error test lead capacitance and capacitor plates caused (when the range of 40 nF, errors of up to 1.5 nF). Diode test, data retention.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[RDB85]

that's out of stock. see this Fluke.

Fluke 15B+ Auto Range Digital Multimeter Voltage Probe Meter With TL75 Test Lead | eBay

Fluke has always been to provide you with superior quality. 3 Specifications do not include error test lead capacitance and capacitor plates caused (when the range of 40 nF, errors of up to 1.5 nF). Diode test, data retention.

www.ebay.co.uk

That Fluke looks spot on. It’s got everything I would need on it.

 

[telectrix]

he's got more than 10 available. I had a similar model. was brilliant. jus need to ensure the hold button isn't in play when taking a new reading.

 

[RDB85]

I did find an ACT one used for £40.. But I would be tempted to get new leads. This one has come up for sale. But the Fluke seems a better buy. I have a battery tester by ACT that is really great.

ACT/6000 Alarm Engineers Autoranging Multimeter | eBay

Fully Autoranging. High Resolution - 6000 count, with High Contrast Backlit LCD display and Bargraph. Simple in use with straight forward options to select from the large high contrast 6000 count backlit display with high speed analogue bargraph.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[PEG]

I'd recommend a Fluke 28ii - love mine to bits?

Also,anybody who could competently demonstrate ALL of it's ranges and features,could happily accuse me of being DIY ?

 

[pc1966]

First point I would make is always get one that is reputable and meets at least 300V CAT-III use.

Sooner or later you will put it on the mains on the wrong range. A blown fuse is an irritation, an exploding meter potentially leaves you with serious injuries or worse

A few folk have recommended the Testo 760 series of auto-ranging meters as less chance of errors, the -2 version seems to be the best combination of features and price, but for most folks even the -1 is fine.

I have a couple of meters to hand, an old Fluke that I don't use on mains as it has an unfused 10A range and I'm not using fused GS38 probes, and a Fluke 179 which is very accurate but expensive (also USA made, not China).

But you can get a decent enough meter with CAT-III rating for around £30-40 such as the Extech EX205T or similar (we also have some older versions of them and have lasted a good few years), or DiLog PL280N, etc.

 

[pc1966]

Someone shoot me down

Multimeters to me was always DIY

Electronics lab?

Current- you'd use a clamp

Typically for more than an amp or so, or if high PFC is possible, a clamp meter is your safest/best bet.

But for smaller currents, or DC, then few clamp meters will work and a multimeter will do an excellent job down to tens of uA or less. Just take care you don't have surges/switch on big enough to blow the fuse!

You did get a fused meter, didn't you?!!!

Ohms I'd use the IR tester/resistance tester

Voltage I'd use the 2 wire tester

As @telectrix has pointed out, your typical MFT/Megger has a hole in the middle with poor/no resolution (from typically around 200R to 100K). Also some electronics might need a high R but only safe to a volt or so testing.

If all you are looking at is mains power cables then your MFT is the job, but folks might have other aspects they need to work on.

 

[RDB85]

Beha-Amprobe 35XP-A | ISSWWW.co.uk

Are you looking to purchase a Amprobe 35XP-A? Get free delivery from ISSWWW.co.uk on all UK mainland orders.

isswww.co.uk

 

[UNG]

Beha-Amprobe 35XP-A | ISSWWW.co.uk

Are you looking to purchase a Amprobe 35XP-A? Get free delivery from ISSWWW.co.uk on all UK mainland orders.

isswww.co.uk

Not bad meters from what I've seen and Beha-Amprobe is owned by Fluke

 

[DPG]

Not bad meters from what I've seen and Beha-Amprobe is owned by Fluke

Got a good selection of functions that one. Seems a decent buy.

 

[RDB85]

I am tempted by the Fluke one but the one I posted earlier was recommended by someone who works in water/gas as a spark. It does seem to have a lot of functions.

 

[DPG]

I am tempted by the Fluke one but the one I posted earlier was recommended by someone who works in water/gas as a spark. It does seem to have a lot of functions.

Looks like a decent buy to me. Don't think you'll go wrong with that.

 

[LukeD]

sold my lovely megger Multimeter last week .With brand new genuine leads /probes and clips . £80

 

[telectrix]

sold my lovely megger Multimeter last week .With brand new genuine leads /probes and clips . £80

don't cry for me, argimeter.