Multimeter suggestions

[telectrix]

still can't beat one of these bad boys:

note the 3000V termimal. beats your 1000V hands down.

 

[Bobster]

still can't beat one of these bad boys:

note the 3000V termimal. beats your 1000V hands down.

Not sure I'd quite like to test 3KV with the test leads that came with those!!

 

[telectrix]

what's wrong with the leads. at least they're red and black so's you know which is which.

 

[Bobster]

My modern fluke has red an black leads. Don't know of any DMM with brown an blue leads haha.

An would you trust them at 3KV?

 

[telectrix]

i'd not put my fingers on the bare metal croc clips. that's a given.

 

[Specialist]

My modern fluke has red an black leads. Don't know of any DMM with brown an blue leads haha.

An would you trust them at 3KV?

Have done in the past, Avo's always had excellent test leads years ago.

 

[Specialist]

still can't beat one of these bad boys:

note the 3000V termimal. beats your 1000V hands down.

Nice, now there your looking at quality. I've still got a Mk3, Mk5 & Mk6. The six only goes up to 1Kv though, too heavy & expensive to carry nowadays though.
Even still got a couple of 7's knocking about on the back of a shelf somewhere.

 

[Bobster]

Have done in the past, Avo's always had excellent test leads years ago.

Well after years of working on 3.3KV 11KV and 33KV systems I wouldn't ever trust standard DMM leads testing at that.

 

[Bobster]

Have done in the past, Avo's always had excellent test leads years ago.

Well after years of working on 3.3KV 11KV and 33KV systems I wouldn't ever trust standard DMM leads testing at that.

 

[Specialist]

Totally agree with you Rob, but years ago that's what we had & that's what we used.
The leads that came with the 8 were much better quality than the leads that come with meters nowadays.

 

[Bobster]

Totally agree with you Rob, but years ago that's what we had & that's what we used.
The leads that came with the 8 were much better quality than the leads that come with meters nowadays.

We had AVO8's when I started out in quarrying.

Yes the meters themselves were build to last, a lot more robust than anything on the market now.

I'd say the modern leads with my fluke are superior. Yes, a lot of them now are cheap crap. I remember having to re solder my AVO8 leads a couple of times, never had to do that with the ones I have now.

 

[Specialist]

Can't comment on Fluke leads overall, but the leads that came with my Fluke 10 weren't particularly impressive.
In comparison the leads that came with my Mk3 Ago 8 have stood the test of time, the case sadly is another matter.

 

[stevethesparks]

My in the bag meter is the Fluke 117. Its been slated on here before for being Chinese made, I've had mine for years with no problem, and wouldn't hesitate in replacing it with the same.

 

[Specialist]

Hi Steve: Wasn't the original 117 made in the USA ?, then production changed to China. Or am I confusing it with another model ?.

 

[stevethesparks]

Hi Steve: Wasn't the original 117 made in the USA ?, then production changed to China. Or am I confusing it with another model ?.

I Honestly don't know.
Its a meter that has served me well, and mentioning it in a now historic post, was slated simply because it is apparently made in China, and does not carry the Fluke lifetime guarantee.
I've never had any problems with it.

 

[PEG]

Just an update on the Megger AVO835 ,they contacted me today,regarding release date,and it is now August. Compliance issues,apparently...i feel like Charlie,waiting to unwrap that ruddy chocolate bar...

 

[Specialist]

Thanks for the update PEG, hopefully you'll get one eventually. By the time it gets here you could have it as an early Christmas present

 

[gazdkw82]

I really like the fluke 117 but I just don't have the budget for it so I'm going to have to buy something cheaper for the short period.

I'm looking at one of these. Anyone used one? It's cef's own branded stuff.

TRMS Digital Multimeter | City Electrical Factors - http://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1120733-trms-digital-multimeter

 

[telectrix]

I really like the fluke 117 but I just don't have the budget for it so I'm going to have to buy something cheaper for the short period.

I'm looking at one of these. Anyone used one? It's cef's own branded stuff.

TRMS Digital Multimeter | City Electrical Factors - http://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1120733-trms-digital-multimeter

that's a di-log. seems oK. what's the price?

 

[Specialist]

Hi: How do you mean they're own branded stuff ? Di log kit is sold by loads of people, take a look at TLC Direct they sell them.
As for using them: Yep had one & gave it away, didn't like the thing at all & to me it had no feeling of quality or that it would last. Amprobe do some nice trms & they're made by fluke nowadays apparently, but a lot cheaper.

 

[gazdkw82]

I thought it was a ethos meter. My mistake. Never heard of di log.

It's coming out at £105

 

[gazdkw82]

This is the one I meant :-/

True RMS Professional Multimeter with AC Current Clamp Adaptor | City Electrical Factors - http://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4513506-true-rms-professional-multimeter-with-ac-current-clamp-adaptor

This one is £55

 

[telectrix]

I really like the fluke 117 but I just don't have the budget for it so I'm going to have to buy something cheaper for the short period.

I'm looking at one of these. Anyone used one? It's cef's own branded stuff.

TRMS Digital Multimeter | City Electrical Factors - http://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1120733-trms-digital-multimeter

can't go wrong with this:
Megger AVO410 Digital Multimeter - AVO 410 Multi Meter from Megger - https://www.test-meter.co.uk/megger-avo410-digital-multimeter/

 

[Specialist]

Can't comment made, never seen them or heard of them.

 

[Specialist]

Nice bit of kit tel.

@gazdkw82 : Just remember cheap can bite you in the butt, especially with test equipment.
I'd be inclined to pay more for something like the Megger & expect it to give years of quality service.

 

[gazdkw82]

Yeh I know. I just can't afford the price of the fluke. I need something that ticks the boxes won't maybe isn't all singing all dancing

 

[Specialist]

Amprobe or Extech or Megger are equally as good as fluke & have better prices.
The meter in my avatar for example is the Amprobe 34 xra, cost something like £129.00 10 years ago & still works perfectly.

 

[telectrix]

Yeh I know. I just can't afford the price of the fluke. I need something that ticks the boxes won't maybe isn't all singing all dancing

why not contact test-meter. sometimes they have discontinued lines at reduced prices.and you get 5% forum discount.

 

[gazdkw82]

Good idea tel. I'll try and contact them tomorrow.

What's your thoughts on metrel?

 

[Specialist]

I've not used their Multimeter's but if they're anything like the other kit they do, they'll be good.
I've had a Metrel clamp meter, Insulation tester, Loop / RCD tester & Installation tester. Never had a minutes trouble with any of them.
Come to think of it, I've still got the clamp meter here somewhere.

 

[telectrix]

Good idea tel. I'll try and contact them tomorrow.

What's your thoughts on metrel?

no thoughts whatsoevver. never used a metrel.

 

[gazdkw82]

I have a metrel multi function tester and it's really good piece of kit. Just wondered if anyone had used any of the multimeters

 

[Specialist]

Just been on the Test meter website, they have a Metrel True RMS meter for £71.00 + vat & also really good prices on Extech, Fluke & Kewtech meters.
The Kewtech KT117 wasn't a bad meter, used to have one in work.

 

[gazdkw82]

That metrel one looks decent. Ticks all the boxes and has an incorrect lead detection which could be useful

How do you obtain the forum discount?

 

[Specialist]

Go back out of the thread to the main tools section, at the top in the yellow boxes click on test meter & you should have the code there. I think.

Don't forget to let us know how good it is.

 

[telectrix]

Test-Meter.co.uk Forum Sponsor - http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/test-meter-co-uk-forum-sponsor.119238/

 

[gazdkw82]

I asked about the discount for forum members and I got this

Due to the very heavily discounted prices on our products it's no longer possible to offer this on Digital Multimeters

 

[telectrix]

oh well. worth a try.

 

[Bobster]

There is another test meter supplier affiliated with a different forum that I've found to be cheaper and give their members special prices. Can't post the name up publicly.

 

[telectrix]

this is worth a punt. i'm bidding.
AVO 8 Mk5 vintage multimeter - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AVO-8-Mk5-vintage-multimeter-/201946339250?hash=item2f04f097b2:g:S50AAOSwAPVZNGj3

 

[telectrix]

and one for OP.for this money you can afford to gamble.
AVO M2006 Multimeter with Probes & Case | eBay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AVO-M2006-Multimeter-with-Probes-Case/352085985499?_trksid=p2046732.c100040.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107095009%26meid%3D08a8acc8f03b48e9a998f0589f22d5cf%26pid%3D100040%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D201946339250

 

[Specialist]

That 2006 is a good meter, still prefer the mk5 though.
If you don't get the MK5 tel, drop me a pm

 

[Besoeker]

I think I need one that is over 1000v

Might be a challenge.....

 

[Specialist]

Might be a challenge.....

Not needed, gazz made a mistake.

 

[Specialist]

@gazdkw82 : Just wondering what meter you decided on, in the end ?

 

[gazdkw82]

I haven't yet. The start date to my new job has been put back to July 17th so iv got a little bit more time to choose.

I really don't think I can afford much.

It's a choice between the megger/metrel and maybe a fluke 114

 

[Specialist]

Hi Buddy: The metrel looks like a good meter, but as i said i can't vouch for it as i've never used one. Fluke used to be good quality kit but can't vouch for the modern stuff, have been told a lot of the cheaper stuff is made in China now.
Did you take a look at the Kewtech meters ? used to have one provided by work & it wasn't a bad meter at all. A lot of people swear by Uni-trend meters, apparently they're quite reasonable priced & a good entry level pro meter.

 

[gazdkw82]

I'll take a look at kewtech and uni-trend. Any meter specifically?

What's the cef own branded stuff like (ethos)

 

[Specialist]

Hi mate: Take a look at the uni-t UT139c it's true RMS & does pretty much everything, except make tea & going for £44 on the bay. I think the Kewtech was a KT114. Just a thought: Have you considered a good used meter ? Sorry: never heard of ethos until you mentioned them.

 

[static zap]

This is the one I meant :-/

..... £55

noticed CAT III / IV on front of meter
...but CAT II , III in paperwork !!!

( need to find teardowns on line with nice
BIG HRC ceramic fuses ...like proper FLUKE )