Thread: Multi-Meter Suggestions

My electrical multi-meter headed south today. Any suggestions for a good unit that won't break the bank, i.e. <$300?

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Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

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.

Which one?

Extech Industrial Digital Multimeter / Clamp Meter Test Kit - Mfg# MA620-K

Fluke 117/322 Electricians Combo Kit - Mfg# 2583702

Fluke 179 Industrial Multimeter Service Kit - Mfg# FLUKE 179/MSK

UEi Digital Multimeter Inspection Kit - Mfg# 383B/CATA2KIT

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

UEi Digital Multimeter Inspection Kit - Mfg# 383B/CATA2KIT

TM: Will it still work east of the Trinity?

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

TM: Will it still work east of the Trinity?

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

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

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.

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.

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

GA: You are too kind.

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

Harbor Freight Tools

Originally Posted by Ken Rowe

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

Who let this guy in?

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.

go to ebay you won't have to buy it you can steal it.

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?

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

Can I get a consensus.........

Has this ever been the case for any thread ?

Originally Posted by chris mcintyre

Has this ever been the case for any thread ?

CM: No, but it never hurts to ask.

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

Which one?

Extech Industrial Digital Multimeter / Clamp Meter Test Kit - Mfg# MA620-K

Cat IV rated to 600 volts, good.

Fluke 117/322 Electricians Combo Kit - Mfg# 2583702

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

Fluke 179 Industrial Multimeter Service Kit - Mfg# FLUKE 179/MSK

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

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

UEi Digital Multimeter Inspection Kit - Mfg# 383B/CATA2KIT

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

Originally Posted by Ken Rowe

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

Harbor Freight Tools

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-group.slac.stanford.edu/e...ter_Safety.pdf

CAT IV safety rating on new digital multimeters: News from Fluke (UK)

JP: Now that's what I'm talking about. Thanks.

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by fritzkelly

For you, Aaron, I would recommend one of the Fluke 170 series, preferably a low serial number.

FK: You mean like 79000000 and below?