yet again noob looking for cheap multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: __-_-_-__
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 11:29:07 am
content: first of all please be kind I've read many posts and the all the stickies.I've become scared of chineasium stuff due to safety. I don't want anything blowing up.with so much information it's very hard for a noob like me to find what I really need. specially when some topics are from several years ago. I've no idea if things have improved.I'm looking for the cheapest safe multimeter with auto range.I'll use it for small projects. nothing fancy. fixing car and household 220v 32A max stuff. nothing more.thank you so much for your help

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 11:45:54 am
content: That is a huge topic. You should give an idea of what you expect to be using your DMM for, and cheap means different things to different users, so a price range will get you better advice. Welcome to the forum.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 11:47:09 am
content: Quote from: __-_-_-__ on July 28, 2018, 11:29:07 amNothing fancy you say, just the very powerful grid. Just buy something from a reputable manufacturer. if you are doing low voltage anything that looks decent will do.Interesting username......

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 12:00:14 pm
content: Quote from: __-_-_-__ on July 28, 2018, 11:29:07 amFluke 101 for the mains work, around $45 delivered.If you need to measure amps get a clamp meter, eg. Uni-T UT210E.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 12:08:49 pm
content: there is always of course the excellent Brymen235. no multimeter will take 32A as suggesten a current clamp will be easier to obtain.

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 12:40:37 pm
content: Something to consider since you are living in the EU as the mains is at 240volts would be a Fluke for safety.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 12:56:57 pm
content: yea he said that, 220V. most of Europe is on 220V and in the Uk we are on 240V. 230 was chosen as a happy medium.

author: __-_-_-__
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 01:15:15 pm
content: thank you for all the replies.well I mainly play with 12v and repair notebook chargers and things like that. I said 220v 32A bc that's what I have at home and I might want to do some housework but since I need something so expensive for that I might ditch that requirement.tbh I'm just a noob messing around with electronics and need a meter that doesn't blow up in my face.as for what cheap means it's just that. I just want the cheapest one that is safe, I also want auto range. just that. plain and simple just like my lack of skills.do I really have to pay 50€ for a fluke? isn't there any other option?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 01:51:47 pm
content: Quote from: __-_-_-__ on July 28, 2018, 01:15:15 pmPlenty of people will argue that if you only touch mains once or twice per year and that if you double and triple check that the meter is on the right rangeandthe probes are connected to the right connectors then you'll survive. Wear work gloves and safety glasses, too.Others might point out that you don't need to see the voltage reading of mains AC (it almost never reads the wrong value!) and you can test it more safely with a light bulb on a wire (with suitable probes, obviously) than with a multimeter. If it's a mains socket you want to test then just plug in a lamp instead.You could also get something like a $20 ANENG 860B+. The main danger from multimeters is when they're on the current ranges, this meter has both the current inputs onseparate socketsso it takes a deliberate act to use them. So long as the probe is connected to the V/Ohms socket then you're reasonably safe. Remember to swap the leads back after you measure current to avoid accidents, and never, ever try to measure current of AC mains. If the leads are connected to one of the current input sockets and you're moving towards a mains wire then you're doing it very wrong.Quote from: __-_-_-__ on July 28, 2018, 01:15:15 pm50€ is cheap around here.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 01:56:37 pm
content: yea a fluke for 50 anythings is cheap.

author: __-_-_-__
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 02:09:01 pm
content: I guess the ANENG 860B+ would be nice. if I'm going to measure something dangerous I'll make sure to quadruple check but anyway 95% of the times I'll use it for 9-12v stuff

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 04:18:33 pm
content: You can also look at my list for ideas to good meters:https://lygte-info.dk/info/DMMReviews.html

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 04:19:15 pm
content: There is a new meter out that will fit your needs. Its a Meterk, it sells for about 10usd on Amazon. I don't know what the shipping costs are to Portugal but if you check it seems you can get it for about 15usd shipped to everywhere on the planet. There are a few you tube reviews on it including one by Joe Smith. He didn't like it but I'd buy it anyway.

author: __-_-_-__
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 28, 2018, 04:37:40 pm
content: Quote from: HKJ on July 28, 2018, 04:18:33 pmI've been visiting your website for years bc of batteries and absolutely love it. I'm a fan. tkx!Quote from: joseph nicholas on July 28, 2018, 04:19:15 pmgonna buy that one