Multimeter questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have a Fluke and a cheap HF type one. In my case they both read the same.

Most used features are continuity and checking to see if power is there.

This is what my MM is used for 90% of the time. Nothing wrong with the HF meters.

For house work, those HF pens that beep in the presents of electrical power are REALLY handy, just to check What is Hot and what is Not.
 
Get a Fluke 179. It will give you the ability to not only have a quality, US made meter, but will give you the ability to measure things like temperature, capacitance, etc.

If youre going to take a free HF one on coupon, so be it, it will last for a few years hopefully...
 
My 20 year old Made in USA Fluke 73III never lets me down. Just keep good probes on it and its been flawless.
I carried it around with me daily in my tool bag for work until I needed a vom that did frequency.


"I just want to know if its hot or not"
I wouldn't trust my life to a HF meter.
 
Thanks for the many replies. I've spent some time on YouTube and I'm going to go with one of the $20 Amazon choices for now to see it works. I appreciate the time spent to answer my questions. Bill
 
If you work on generators, then a 4 wire ohm meter is needed. If planning for a generator, then a clamp on AC ammeter is handy. If you have hot water heat, a meter that can do temp. is handy especially with an external clamp on probe.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Get a Fluke 179. It will give you the ability to not only have a quality, US made meter, but will give you the ability to measure things like temperature, capacitance, etc.

If youre going to take a free HF one on coupon, so be it, it will last for a few years hopefully...



What is a good Fluke model that is not $500 like the Fluke 179 is?
 
Originally Posted By: BigD1
Fluke, Extech, Amprobe in that order if I was buying one today. I am currently using an Extech EX330 autoranging with non-contact voltage detection.

Are the Etekcity ones any good? I was looking at this one specifically: http://a.co/bSZHdPA
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Get a Fluke 179. It will give you the ability to not only have a quality, US made meter, but will give you the ability to measure things like temperature, capacitance, etc.

If youre going to take a free HF one on coupon, so be it, it will last for a few years hopefully...



What is a good Fluke model that is not $500 like the Fluke 179 is?


If your looking for higher end but don't quite want to spend Fluke money then maybe check out BK Precision
http://www.bkprecision.com/
 
I like the fluke 115 then the fluke 77 as a cheaper option to the 179. the 115 has True RMS, but the 77 has a lifetime warranty. I think the 115 is made in China while the 77 is made in the US.
 
If you are going to buy only one and want all the features at very good price, this is the one you want. I recently bought it and I am very happy with it. This is the only one which does inductive DC clamp current measurement. It also measures capacitance. It was about $32 when I purchased it. It is a screaming bargain at that price. The quality is quite good. It is not a Fluke but you will need at least $300 to get something like this from Fluke. Getting inductive DC clamp as a hobby instrument was impossible in the past. I have measured milliamp and amp DC current with it and it is accurate for my usage.

51cw1433GsL._SL1000_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O1Q2HOQ/
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: wilnis
Hi-I don't have one, and don't know how to use one and would like to correct both deficits. What is a good "starter" one, and what are some reasonable websites or other learning places for me? Thanks. Bill


You can get a decent "starter" DVM for free from Harbor Freight with a purchase. You can then get something better as you become more familiar with it usage. I put one of these free ones in each of my vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: Lubener
You can get a decent "starter" DVM for free from Harbor Freight with a purchase. You can then get something better as you become more familiar with it usage. I put one of these free ones in each of my vehicles.


That's what these free HF multi-meters are good for, one to keep in your car for emergencies. Having said that, on one car I already have a voltmeter built into the dash, that I added:
escort_007.jpg


And for my other car I keep one of these in the car:
https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3721-Battery-Charging-Monitor/dp/B000EVWDU0
INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor
4105fQmT1vL.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you are going to buy only one and want all the features at very good price, this is the one you want. I recently bought it and I am very happy with it. This is the only one which does inductive DC clamp current measurement. It also measures capacitance. It was about $32 when I purchased it. It is a screaming bargain at that price. The quality is quite good. It is not a Fluke but you will need at least $300 to get something like this from Fluke. Getting inductive DC clamp as a hobby instrument was impossible in the past. I have measured milliamp and amp DC current with it and it is accurate for my usage.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O1Q2HOQ/

This one has no ability to measure current through the probes. It can only measure current with a clamp. Correct?
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: Lubener
You can get a decent "starter" DVM for free from Harbor Freight with a purchase. You can then get something better as you become more familiar with it usage. I put one of these free ones in each of my vehicles.


That's what these free HF multi-meters are good for, one to keep in your car for emergencies. Having said that, on one car I already have a voltmeter built into the dash, that I added:
escort_007.jpg


And for my other car I keep one of these in the car:
https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3721-Battery-Charging-Monitor/dp/B000EVWDU0
INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor
4105fQmT1vL.jpg



I use a similar version in my Cessna. lol
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you are going to buy only one and want all the features at very good price, this is the one you want. I recently bought it and I am very happy with it. This is the only one which does inductive DC clamp current measurement. It also measures capacitance. It was about $32 when I purchased it. It is a screaming bargain at that price. The quality is quite good. It is not a Fluke but you will need at least $300 to get something like this from Fluke. Getting inductive DC clamp as a hobby instrument was impossible in the past. I have measured milliamp and amp DC current with it and it is accurate for my usage.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O1Q2HOQ/

This one has no ability to measure current through the probes. It can only measure current with a clamp. Correct?



I did not realize that! You are probably right as I am not seeing the 10A hole for the probe listed on it. I will read the owners manual later to confirm that.
 
Last edited:
Thinking it over, why do you need the capability to read the current through the probes? Under what condition measuring the current after breaking the circuit is more useful than live measuring? If it is not possible to put the clamp around the live wire, you can always put a scratch patch cable where your probes were going to hook up and have the clamp around the patch cable.

Am I missing something here?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
Does anyone know older HP/Agilent/Keysight Test and Measuring Equipment?
Replies
1
Views
421
MolaKule
M
Help me choose between 2 air compressors
Replies
9
Views
1K
MrTruckDriver
D
VIM Tools warranty disappointment
Replies
11
Views
685
D60
M
Looking for advice on gas air compressors.
2
Replies
23
Views
949
oil pan 4
Carmudgeon
Screwdriver tips (pun intended)
2
Replies
22
Views
998
dlundblad
Back
Top