Possible first "benchtop" multimeter - thoughts? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: py-bb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2023, 09:12:47 pm
content: Hi - I've got a budget of £120 to £150 and I found one of these:http://bee.mif.pg.gda.pl/ciasteczkowypotwor/Solartron/Solartron_7151_Computing_Multimeter_User_Manual.pdfSo a Solartron 7151 - I have some Solartron gear and I like it.It has RS232 (but via a funny port which they've done on purpose as it has other signals) - what looks like a decent measuring time. So forthAnd GPIB - which has expensive cables but yeah sure great!I don't quite get what the "guard" connector is and I am assuming it's a differential voltmeter (it wont tie one probe to its chassis)I am also not sure if it can do 4-lead current measurements but to a range of 1mOhm would that matter?For auto-ranging I'd like to know that provided the input is within the allowed range it wont hurt it - that may be "implied" - I usually deal with manual instruments.Thoughts welcome!

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2023, 03:50:14 am
content: Quote from: py-bb on June 12, 2023, 09:12:47 pmCheck outhttp://hparchive.com/Application_Notes/HP-AN-123.pdf

author: inse
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2023, 11:25:02 am
content: I have different benchtop multimeters in my home lab.Personally I prefer light emitting displays like LED or VFD over LCDs.If you are not doing measurement automation, the interfaces are not relevant.The Solartron 7151 will not do 4-wire resistance measurement which becomes essential below 10 Ohms.I also have an old Solartron, different model, it’s accurate but slow.A Keithley 199 is a good alternative and also available in that price range.

author: DavidKo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 08:03:45 am
content: Keithley 197A (only 5 1/2 digit). If you are lucky, you will get one with GPIB. It is my first bench top multimeter.

author: illusive
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 11:45:43 am
content: I'm also like you looking for a budget bench multimeter.I'm looking at East Tester ET3240, it has acceptable specs and build quality for the price.https://lygte-info.dk/review/DMMEastTester%20ET3240%20UK.html

author: inse
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 03:02:40 pm
content: My private experience: On a measurement instrument with graphic display, they used a proportional font for the readout.It annoyed me that the value ‚wobbled‘ around depending on the displayed numbers, I like to have fixed positions.But that’s just a side issue

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 04:52:09 pm
content: If its working properly, its the Solartron 7151 is a cracking meter. I had one on my bench for years.I had to move on after the mains filter had a hissy fit and then the LCD quietly expired. I still miss it.The mains filters on these love to blow up.Its worth fixing now, before it becomes a sticky charcoal briquette.mnal.For most day to day stuff you dont use the guard terminal much. You'll want to use it when you're down in the uV and nA and up in the high Megs.See attached pdf on guarding.service manual: bee.mif.pg.gda.pl/ciasteczkowypotwor/Solartron/7081/?C=S;O=A