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A.D. Miller
12-10-2009, 08:32 AM
My electrical multi-meter headed south today. Any suggestions for a good unit that won't break the bank, i.e. <$300?

Gunnar Alquist
12-10-2009, 08:53 AM
My electrical multi-meter headed south today. Any suggestions for a good unit that won't break the bank, i.e. <$300?

AD,

Depends on what you are looking for. You can get a standard digital multimeter for $50 - $75 at Radio Shack. Been using mine for several years now. Fluke makes a nice selection of multimeters with clamp-on ammeters. Check out the tool retailers at the left sidebar of Brian's site here.

A.D. Miller
12-10-2009, 09:11 AM
Which one?

Extech Industrial Digital Multimeter / Clamp Meter Test Kit - Mfg# MA620-K (http://www.professionalequipment.com/extech-industrial-digital-multimeter-clamp-meter-test-kit-ma620-k/digital-multimeters/)

Fluke 117/322 Electricians Combo Kit - Mfg# 2583702 (http://www.professionalequipment.com/fluke-117-322-electricians-combo-kit-2583702/digital-multimeters/)

Fluke 179 Industrial Multimeter Service Kit - Mfg# FLUKE 179/MSK (http://www.professionalequipment.com/fluke-179-industrial-multimeter-service-kit-fluke-179-imsk/digital-multimeters/)

Ted Menelly
12-10-2009, 09:28 AM
UEi Digital Multimeter Inspection Kit - Mfg# 383B/CATA2KIT (http://www.professionalequipment.com/uei-digital-multimeter-inspection-kit/multimeter-hvac/)

A.D. Miller
12-10-2009, 09:31 AM
UEi Digital Multimeter Inspection Kit - Mfg# 383B/CATA2KIT (http://www.professionalequipment.com/uei-digital-multimeter-inspection-kit/multimeter-hvac/)

TM: Will it still work east of the Trinity?:confused:

Ted Menelly
12-10-2009, 09:45 AM
TM: Will it still work east of the Trinity?:confused:


Yes.....and even East of Dallas County. Maybe all the way to the right coast.

Gunnar Alquist
12-10-2009, 12:40 PM
Which one?

Well, since you are paying for it and I would want you to have the best, then you should purchase the most expensive. :cool:

I would think that any of them would do what a home inspector would need it to do. An expensive one won't provide you any features that you are likely to use. I would choose the most affordable.

A.D. Miller
12-10-2009, 01:48 PM
Well, since you are paying for it and I would want you to have the best, then you should purchase the most expensive. :cool:

GA: You are too kind.:D

Ken Rowe
12-10-2009, 02:46 PM
I hate to admit it but I've had really good luck with the Cen-Tech stuff from Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight Tools (http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?catPath=All%2BProducts%252F%252F%252F%25 2FUserSearch%253Dmulti%2Bmeter&currentPage=2&lastPage=2&isNext=false&isPrevious=false&category=&attributeValue=&attributeName=&requestedPage=1&resultsPerPage=10&resultsPerPageBottom=0)

Gunnar Alquist
12-10-2009, 08:08 PM
I hate to admit it but I've had really good luck with the Cen-Tech stuff from Harbor Freight. Harbor Freight Tools (http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?catPath=All%2BProducts%252F%252F%252F%25 2FUserSearch%253Dmulti%2Bmeter&currentPage=2&lastPage=2&isNext=false&isPrevious=false&category=&attributeValue=&attributeName=&requestedPage=1&resultsPerPage=10&resultsPerPageBottom=0)

Who let this guy in? :cool:

Stuart Brooks
12-11-2009, 09:22 AM
From my not too far past electronics days, I always used Fluke when possible. Not cheap but I always found their equipment to be dependable and accurate. They are also pretty good with maintaining availibility. But for home inspection work where 1% or better accuracy, in my opinion, isn't necessary, I look more at test leads. I don't want cheap leads that are stiff even in warm conditions. They kink and hold folds that hang up on most anything.

daniel nantell
12-11-2009, 09:00 PM
go to ebay you won't have to buy it you can steal it.

A.D. Miller
12-12-2009, 05:15 AM
You guys have given me a list that runs the gamut between what comes for free in a Cracker Jack box to something every Ferrari owner should carry. Can I get a consensus on a moderately-priced, decent unit?:confused:

chris mcintyre
12-12-2009, 08:04 AM
Can I get a consensus.........

Has this ever been the case for any thread ? :)

A.D. Miller
12-12-2009, 10:11 AM
Has this ever been the case for any thread ? :)

CM: No, but it never hurts to ask.;)

Jerry Peck
12-12-2009, 11:27 AM
Which one?

Extech Industrial Digital Multimeter / Clamp Meter Test Kit - Mfg# MA620-K (http://www.professionalequipment.com/extech-industrial-digital-multimeter-clamp-meter-test-kit-ma620-k/digital-multimeters/)

Cat IV rated to 600 volts, good.


Fluke 117/322 Electricians Combo Kit - Mfg# 2583702 (http://www.professionalequipment.com/fluke-117-322-electricians-combo-kit-2583702/digital-multimeters/)

Cat III rated to 600 volts, okay, but not as good as the others.


Fluke 179 Industrial Multimeter Service Kit - Mfg# FLUKE 179/MSK (http://www.professionalequipment.com/fluke-179-industrial-multimeter-service-kit-fluke-179-imsk/digital-multimeters/)

Cat III rated to 1000 volts and Cat IV rated to 600 volts, better (most HI work would be Cat III).


UEi Digital Multimeter Inspection Kit - Mfg# 383B/CATA2KIT (http://www.professionalequipment.com/uei-digital-multimeter-inspection-kit/multimeter-hvac/)

No Category rating shown, but at that price it likely is at least a Cat III - but needs to be verified first.


I hate to admit it but I've had really good luck with the Cen-Tech stuff from Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight Tools (http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?catPath=All%2BProducts%252F%252F%252F%25 2FUserSearch%253Dmulti%2Bmeter&currentPage=2&lastPage=2&isNext=false&isPrevious=false&category=&attributeValue=&attributeName=&requestedPage=1&resultsPerPage=10&resultsPerPageBottom=0)

Does not give its Category voltage rating - would not consider without knowing it is at least a Cat III or IV rated (Cat III MINIMUM for the typical home inspector use, with Cat IV being better for protecting your life).

Multimeter categories: Multimeter Safety (http://www.nietc.org/templates/template2/template2.php?page=99)

http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/essg/pdf/ABCs_of_Multimeter_Safety.pdf

CAT IV safety rating on new digital multimeters: News from Fluke (UK) (http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/flu/flu112.html)

A.D. Miller
12-12-2009, 11:48 AM
JP: Now that's what I'm talking about. Thanks.

Markus Keller
12-12-2009, 02:38 PM
AD check out Fieldpiece Instruments. They make a few different multi-meter units. The meters have nice features and have been working good for a few years now. What's even better are all the attachment heads you can buy. The various heads come in extremely handy.

Richard Soundy
12-12-2009, 03:30 PM
Oh Boy!

I will soon be known as "Mr Frugal"

I recommend and use the ~$18.00 Simpson analogue meter - In the HI industry I assure you you will get far more meaningful results from your measurement - yes, you have to switch ranges and types of measurement, but it is a sure detector of "ground loops" - the digital types are far way to fast and sophisticated, which in turn miss some important measurements that can still be detected with the "slow" analogue type measurements.

regards - richard

Joe Klampfer
12-20-2009, 01:37 PM
You're not there testing or trouble-shooting sophisticated electronics so you don't really need anything more than a cheap multimeter that'll give you volts and maybe ohms. Unless you want to spring for one of those circuit analyzer / tracer devices but at that point, you're going well beyond the call of duty.

A.D. Miller
12-21-2009, 07:17 AM
For you, Aaron, I would recommend one of the Fluke 170 series, preferably a low serial number.:D

FK: You mean like 79000000 and below?:eek: