Multimeters

[Specialist]

Following on from another thread, just wondering what make & type of Multimeter or Clamp meter you use on a Daily basis for Testing / Fault finding ? & maybe why you find them to be good / bad. The Americans seem to be fanatical about Fluke.

For most things I use a Hold Peak clamp Multimeter but carry an AVO 8037 in case i need to get a bit more in depth or for anything Electronic. I Allways keep an Analogue meter in my kit as well, it can come in handy.

 

[alarm man]

Following on from another thread, just wondering what make & type of Multimeter or Clamp meter you use on a Daily basis for Testing / Fault finding ?. The Americans seem to be fanatical about Fluke.

For most things I use a Hold Peak clamp Multimeter but carry an AVO 8037 in case i need to get a bit more in depth or for anything Electronic. I Allways keep an Analogue meter in my kit as well, it can come in handy.

Fluke 287 for me,I'm of the fanatical type too,got the case the leads kit even the probe torch which is the best invention in the world btw.:rockon2:

 

[Specialist]

No denying Fluke is good kit, but for a lot of Sparkies would be too pricey. Will take a look at the probe torch, I like new toys lol.

 

[trev]

A few weeks back someone decided they needed my clampy and multi more than I did, obviously putting my true thoughts would result in Lenny banning me so least said soonest mended, my son is an auto sparky so I borrowed his multi which he bought from Aldi for £5 it's surprising how good it is for the money

 

[Specialist]

Seen a few in Aldi / Lidl & for basics like Resistance / Continuity they'd probably be ok but I would'nt trust them for Voltage testing on AC systems to be honest.

 

[Sparky_Ben]

i use the t5-1000 cant fault it all

 

[Specialist]

i use the t5-1000 cant fault it all

Hi Ben: Looks like a tidy bit of kit. But looking at it, It's quite limited in what it does.

 

[trev]

Seen a few in Aldi / Lidl & for basics like Resistance / Continuity they'd probably be ok but I would'nt trust them for Voltage testing on AC systems to be honest.

No way mate, for voltage I prefer to use my tongue

Yeeeeeehhaaaaaa

 

[Sparky_Ben]

its a good kit persnally i have not had a time where i have found it limiting, so far anyway, i do a fair bit of fault finding on machines so have a clamp tester and continuity all in 1 i find it invaluable at times saves having multiple meters on me at all times

 

[Engineer54]

i use the t5-1000 cant fault it all

That's the jobby i walk around the project with, along with a mini torch, both on belt case holders.
The T5/1000 is fine for general use, though limited when your wanting component accuracy readings...

 

[alarm man]

No denying Fluke is good kit, but for a lot of Sparkies would be too pricey. Will take a look at the probe torch, I like new toys lol.

This one..

 

[Specialist]

No way mate, for voltage I prefer to use my tongue

Is'nt the input impedance on that a bit low ? lol.

 

[alarm man]

Link

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/accessories/lights/l200.htm?PID=56350

 

[Sparky_Ben]

agree for general use, more accurate meters are available and i just think it depends what work you do the most as to what suits you and your budget best

 

[Specialist]

its a good kit persnally i have not had a time where i have found it limiting, so far anyway, i do a fair bit of fault finding on machines so have a clamp tester and continuity all in 1 i find it invaluable at times saves having multiple meters on me at all times

Hi Ben: I was'nt having a pop at you mate, I just pointed out that it seems quite limited in what it does. Especially for the price.

 

[Sparky_Ben]

ahh yeah i know that specialist, i was just saying that so far i have found no limitations, i do know for some uses it will be less that useless

 

[topquark]

Probably in order of usage: Megger 1553, Fluke T140, Metrel MD9270 and (rarely used on site, but in the kit bag) UNI-T UT70D.

 

[Specialist]

Link

L200

Cheers mate will take a look at that now.

 

[grantr37]

The Americans love Fluke as it is an American Brand and almost all of their kit (apart from the voltalert volt stick) is made in the USA, that's why they are fanatical about it, its all "buy USA" "Buy made in America" they want to buy only American made goods over there and they want the rest of the world to buy only American made goods as well....

 

[grantr37]

The fluke meters are very good, but don't forget there are Megger meters and Meterman meters as well..........and the UNI Trend ones are quite good and very reasonably priced....

 

[Specialist]

The Americans love Fluke as it is an American Brand and almost all of their kit (apart from the voltalert volt stick) is made in the USA, that's why they are fanatical about it, its all "buy USA" "Buy made in America" they want to buy only American made goods over there and they want the rest of the world to buy only American made goods as well....

Hmm, I used to think it was just the buy everything American scenario but they also buy a lot of Wera / Knipex stuff as well, & prefer it to their old favourite Klein tools.

 

[topquark]

The fluke meters are very good, but don't forget there are Megger meters and Meterman meters as well..........and the UNI Trend ones are quite good and very reasonably priced....

I think I paid about £80 quid (a few years back) for the UT70D.

 

[Specialist]

The fluke meters are very good, but don't forget there are Megger meters and Meterman meters as well..........and the UNI Trend ones are quite good and very reasonably priced....

Appreciate that mate & as you'll see I use a Megger (AVO) myself, but what make / type do you use ?

 

[Specialist]

Hi Topquark: Unitrend make some quite tidy stuff nowadays, I use 1 of their 2 pole testers for quick testing. Only thing I find with some of their stuff is it's quite bulky especially the clamp meters.

 

[topquark]

Hi Topquark: Unitrend make some quite tidy stuff nowadays, I use 1 of their 2 pole testers for quick testing. Only thing I find with some of their stuff is it's quite bulky especially the clamp meters.

It only just about fits in the biggest pouch in the case and having the probes attached to the back doesn't help

 

[Specialist]

See what you mean, looking at the Dimensions it does look pretty bulky.

 

[Engineer54]

The Americans love Fluke as it is an American Brand and almost all of their kit (apart from the voltalert volt stick) is made in the USA, that's why they are fanatical about it, its all "buy USA" "Buy made in America" they want to buy only American made goods over there and they want the rest of the world to buy only American made goods as well....

That's not quite true!! Some of there stuff is manufactured in Europe and the Far East, at the same ex manufactures factories that that Fluke bought out. Americans may well prefer to buy test equipment manufactured in the US, unfortunately for fluke and other electrical test kit manufacturers, the Yanks don't tend to see the importance of electrical installation tests as is required in other countries. Which is why Fluke and all the other American makers of electrical test kit rely on overseas sales to boost there market share!!

Haha, ...Ask a typical American Master Electrician about ELI testing, and you'll get a blank look!! The typical test kit of an American electrician consists of 1 or 2 Amp clamps, volt stick, multimeter, IR tester, a couple of plug testers (one will be for testing GFI outlets), cable/fuse finder kit, and maybe an infrared thermometer, or low spec thermal imagery tester!! I doubt if Fluke or Megger have sold more than a handful of MFTs between them in the states. I'm basically talking about every day installation test kit here, NOT high end test equipment. The specialised companies in the States will obviously use, just about the same test equipment as everyone else....

 

[Guest123]

What do you think of mine then......

 

[topquark]

Ground Force Interruptors, may the force be with you

 

[topquark]

What do you think of mine then......

Are those probes GS38 compliant? (I know my std ones aren't)

 

[The Finch]

Fluke 117 electricians multimeter supplied by firm, personal I've got one of the avo/megger 310 and also a uni-t purchased from maplin not bad prices and do the job

 

[Specialist]

What do you think of mine then......

Hi Lenny: I actually like the 8060 Multimeters, we used to use them in work a long time ago. When they first bought them in I thought that the switches would be a problem but as it turns out they never were.

 

[HandySparks]

What do you think of mine then......

I'd forgotten about those. Standard kit where I used to work. How old is it?

 

[Marvo]

I don't buy Fluke out of choice, to me it's overpriced for what it is and it's a skollie magnet.


In my car at the moment I carry a Fluke ammeter that I picked up for next to nothing second hand;


Also a Kyoritsu mega tester;


A multimeter (also Kyoritsu);


a LAN cable basic tester (no name brand);


a tone set (Toptronic);



and a 3-phase rotation tester which is home made.

All my test equipment is calibrated in our workshop every 5 years whether it needs it or not.

 

[Specialist]

Hi Marvo: I was looking at the Kyoritsu Analogue multimeters a while back & they looked quite good. What are they like to work with ? Does the case come with it or do you have to buy that extra ?

 

[Marvo]

I would highly recommend Kyoritsu testers, especially their analogue stuff although from what I read on this forum they're not in fashion with the UK sparkies. They're not particularly sexy but they're very solid, robust and functional.

Both my Kyoritsu testers shown above came with the cases but I'm not sure if those particular models are still being sold. I would look on Google for the latest models and compare them with others that have been suggested. It might also be worth checking their after-sales service in your country or area and make sure that they're not going to pull your pants down when it comes to periodic calibration certification etc.

 

[mackers]

Check out metrel multifunction tester good tester good price had mine 6yrs now

 

[Specialist]

Check out metrel multifunction tester good tester good price had mine 6yrs now

Hi mate: Thanks for that, but were talking about Analogue & Digital Multimeters not MFT's.

 

[Specialist]

I would highly recommend Kyoritsu testers, especially their analogue stuff although from what I read on this forum they're not in fashion with the UK sparkies. They're not particularly sexy but they're very solid, robust and functional.

Both my Kyoritsu testers shown above came with the cases but I'm not sure if those particular models are still being sold. I would look on Google for the latest models and compare them with others that have been suggested. It might also be worth checking their after-sales service in your country or area and make sure that they're not going to pull your pants down when it comes to periodic calibration certification etc.

Unfortunately nowadays there does'nt seem to be many places that stock decent Analogue meters, as you said they're not the in thing any more. I use Digital meters a lot because I have to but still prefer Analogue.

 

[Marvo]

I kinda use a combination or digital and analogue. For some things like component testing, current trending etc you can't beat the accuracy of digital. For me the downside of digital is sometimes they're over-accurate and detract your attention from the real problem plus they're easy to misread when your head is in a control panel and you're looking at four or five decimal places. For general use where you don't need to sweat the small stuff I like analogue which gives a more holistic window on what you're looking at with it's lower input resistance.

 

[Guest123]

I'd forgotten about those. Standard kit where I used to work. How old is it?

To be honest, I haven't a clue.

It was given to me by an ex Rolls Royce engineer whose house i was working on. I cleaned it up and have kept it safe ever since.


Personally I use a Megger 8037 that I've had for about 6 years.


Megger M8037 As M8035 with backlight trms d.c. + a.c. & a.c.


I did not however, pay anywhere near that price for it!!!

 

[Specialist]

Lucky bugger Lenny lol, I bought my 8037 about 10 years ago & at the time they were about £340 trade + the dreaded VAT. To be honest though I think it's gotta be one of the best meters made, could be just the fact that i'm biased in favour of AVO Multimeters as well though.

 

[Marvo]

I can't believe the prices of common or garden test equipment. Technology prices in general have plummeted over the last two decades but this doesn't seem to include test equipment. I can't imagine why not either, the production costs of mass manufactured multimeters must be a a fraction of what they used to be.

I haven't bought a new tester for many years and I think it will be many years more before I do.

 

[Specialist]

Hi Marvo: Yes it does seem quite strange in relation to other Electronics equipment. Although there's a lot of cheap Multimeters on the market, for a really good example like the AVO 8037 or the Fluke 287 for example your still going to pay serious money.

With regards to Multimeters though, I find it strange that a lot of Electricians will spend a fortune on a pair of pliers / cutters or tool bag but when it comes to buying a Multimeter will buy any cheapo meter they can find.

 

[Guest123]

The Fluke 77 range is meant to be v. good so I'm told. Also Amprobe are well liked.

BEHA-AMPROBE - International

 

[Specialist]

Yep Meterman make some nice stuff, the 34XRA in my Avatar is what I use on the bench & it's a really nice bit of kit especially considering they're quite reasonably priced.

 

[Rampage]

Agree with the Uni-T comments.
I paid £30 for a UT70C about 3 years ago, and just bought another for a similar price. Also just bought the Mini Clamp meter from Maplin, tested it and it measures down to 0.001A, although accuracy was around +/- 3mA.

 

[mackers]

sorry will keep my nose out!lol

 

[Specialist]

sorry will keep my nose out!lol

Sorry mate did'nt mean it like that, but there's been so much on here about different MFT's I wanted to try & keep on track.

 

[hermetic]

I have had a Sanwa analogue, good, but nicked! Sanwa digital, expensive crap, still use my old faithful AVO 8 analogue, need a wheelbarrow to carry it, but reliable, temperature stable (which many digitals aren't) and all WW resistors, so probably good for another 30 years, which I am certainly not! ok so it isn't quite as accurate as digital are supposed to be, but I carry a standard 1 Meg test resistor in my kit, and when any spasrky laughs at it, I get them to check therirs against it! Sorts the men from the boys.