Best cheap/budget multimeter in 2025 ?  Agilent 1271 backup while getting servic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 05:49:54 pm
content: My Agilent 1271A needs to go in for service due to voltages not reading zero in some ranges when the leads are shorted. I need a multimeter to use while it is being serviced and having an extra (good) multimeter would be very handy at times.I use my multimeter for bench electronics work as well as troubleshooting industrial equipment.What's the best cheap multimeter these days ? AstroAI 6000 ?I prefer a meter with a dial to select the function. I really like being able to set the range and not have to use auto ranging. I need a rugged meter.I haven't purchased a multimeter in a long time. I don't know what is current anymore. Are the new scope meters worth buying ? First and foremost, are they a good multimeter to start with ?Any and all thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thanks

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 06:11:13 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 05:49:54 pmFor electronics if accuracy matters:https://zotektools.com/products/zoyi-zt-225/

author: Peabody
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 06:12:30 pm
content: +1 for the Zoyi ZT-225. It's a 25,000 count meter for a little over $30.https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807058008469.html

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 07:16:51 pm
content: Does it measure AC current as well as DC ?Do you say high accuracy because of the 25,000 count or because it has tested accurately somewhere ?

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 07:32:11 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 07:16:51 pmYes, of course.Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 07:16:51 pmIt say it is accurate because it has a DC accuracy of ±(0.05%+3), for example. That's pretty good for a $30 meter.You can find all the specifications in themanual.And yes, I have one of these and I like it.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 07:36:42 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 07:16:51 pmAll the specs are on the Zotek page under "specifications".

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 07:56:23 pm
content: Thanks for the reply.I'm now thinking of getting the Zoyi ZT-703S. What might the Zoyi ZT-225 do better than the 703 ? Chances are they have the same multimeter circuitry ?

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:13:34 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 07:56:23 pmIt's a scopemeter and costs at least twice as much.The DMM part should be largely the same, except that it can only handle 10A instead of 20A.I wouldn't buy it because I'm not convinced by the scope part.But yes, why not.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:24:24 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 05:49:54 pmThere's really only one choice there, IMO. And it's not Zotek. But anything can be good enough...until it isn't.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:29:04 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 07:56:23 pmWatch the EEVlog and Kerry Wong reviews:EEVblog 1597 - Zoyi ZT-703S $80 2CH 50MHz Oscilloscope/Multimeter Review -- EEVbloghttps://youtu.be/kpzNVsSmUu0Zotek ZT-703S Handheld Oscilloscope/DMM Review/Teardown - Compared to the ZT-702Shttps://youtu.be/h4n2KtGNRKYSeems to still be a lot of warts with the scopemeter and the ZT-225 definitely will have better battery life.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:30:28 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 05:49:54 pmAs soon as you say "industrial" then you need to start thinking about Brymen or Fluke.(Sorry, Agilent)

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:33:42 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on January 20, 2025, 08:30:28 pmSure, but then it no longer fits in with the cheap/budget topic.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:49:26 pm
content: OK, if you want cheap, manual ranging, and fairly rugged then Zotek has this:https://zotektools.com/products/zoyiztm0/Like all Zotek meters, it's sold under other brands. eg. Aneng sells it as the V7https://lygte-info.dk/review/DMMAnengV7%20UK.html

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 08:58:26 pm
content: Educate me. What does a Fluke do that my Agilent doesn't ? Or a good Zoyi ?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 09:05:57 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 08:58:26 pmSurvive.(although at $40 you might not care about the Zoyi not surviving)

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 09:13:51 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 08:58:26 pmIt is about safety aspects in high-energy environments.In my opinion, this is largely irrelevant for most normal users.

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 09:17:23 pm
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on January 20, 2025, 09:13:51 pmI do lots of work with 240 and 480VAC. My Agilent has been great, its like an old friend. No regrets getting it over a Fluke, though it isn't a perfect multi meter.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 10:01:47 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 09:17:23 pmWell, at 480V you should be concerned about safety. This doesn't just apply to the measuring device.I'm not familiar with this.Maybe have a look here, for example:https://safetyculture.com/topics/ppe-safety/electrical-ppe/

author: Fryguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 10:04:42 pm
content: You are troubleshooting industrial equipment @480V AC ?In that case i would never ever go for any meter in the 2-digit price range .The low 3-digit priced meters are the cheap ones for this kind of job - an entry level Gossen e.g. would do nicely . . . (yes , i know - it's autoranging)But that's just my opinion - bet your life on whatever you want .Don't get me wrong - but real safety and build quality comes at a price . And 480V AC jobs need serious equipment .

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 10:15:37 pm
content: You can use a Zotek on the workbench but if you use it in 480V "industrial" environments thentriplecheck the leads and dial settings before you use it.I wouldn't want to connect one up to 480V 2000A with the lead in the "A" socket and the dial set to "Ohms".In fact I wouldn't take a multimeter with an "A" socket into that environment at all, I'd get a Fluke 113.(and a current clamp if I need amps).

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 10:17:04 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 09:17:23 pmBargain bang-for-buck handheld meters have suspicious or fictitious CAT safety ratings, you can't believe what's printed on the front panel. Obviously Agilent doesn't fall into that category.I'll be interested to see how your service experience goes with Agilent so please post back with that.In the meantime look at the Greenlee DM-210A that's about $125 on Amazon (here in the US, I'm sure it's more there). It comes with a lifetime warranty and an optional USB cable that allows you to connect to a PC. $30 will get you a toy that is suitable for a low-voltage hobby bench but has no place near a service or control panel.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 10:31:29 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 20, 2025, 10:17:04 pmThe Zotek I mentioned claims to have a certification:

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 10:52:46 pm
content: I'll keep the Agilent for the industrial HV work. I'm looking for a backup/bench multimeter.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 11:13:29 pm
content: Get a used Fluke 8050a. It's only good on the bench. Don't have fancy function new DMM's have but accurate and manual ranging.

author: Fryguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 11:26:14 pm
content: Does it have to be new ? Maybe someone on the forum here has a good used one for you . 40 bucks could get you a much better used meter . Just a thought . . .

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2025, 11:52:56 pm
content: I can't imagine that you can get a used DMM for $30 that is “better” suited for electronics (not 480VAC) than the ZT-225.What features are supposed to be "better"?Anything that has Fluke or something similar on it is not available here for less than $100, even if it looks like junk.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 12:03:45 am
content: If the OP is really in Canada, maybe check out some of these:https://www.sphere.bc.ca/?s=multimeter

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 12:45:39 am
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 20, 2025, 10:52:46 pmThen the Astro meter you linked in your OP will probably suit you just fine if you are looking for minimal expenditure. Or the ZT-225 that some seem to like. As for the scope/meter combos, I think you can get some decent ones if you are willing to spend a few hundred dollars, but the real cheap ones seem a bit minimal. I haven't tried any sub-$100 scopes.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 02:55:02 am
content: Manual range DMM, I have both Zoyi ZT-M1 and UNi-T UT39E+.My vote goes to UT39E+ by a large margin. ZT-M1 was my favorite. Many times auto-ranging is a pain for me too.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 02:58:04 am
content: Your happy with the Agilent and Keysight still offers them. I assume they are in your price range and do what you need. Just pick up a new one.https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/U1271A/handheld-digital-multimeter-4-5-digit-ip54.html

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 05:18:48 am
content: OP doesn't want a second U1271A.Brymen BM231?https://www.welectron.com/Brymen-BM231-Multimeter_1

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 10:04:45 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 21, 2025, 12:45:39 amI see no good reason to buy this Astro if you want to use the meter for low voltages and currents.The accuracy and precision is rather poor compared to the ZT-225.DM6000AR:Resolution VDC: 0.1mV - Accuracy ±(0.8%+5)ZT-225:Resolution VDC: 0.001mV - Accuracy ±(0.05%+3)So e.g. the 24µV on the attached picture are not even displayed on the Astro.If he doesn't want the ZT-225, I would rather buy anOwon clampmeter, which at least offers a slightly different functionality.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 02:07:17 pm
content: The OP mentioned the ZT-703S.For a bit more he could get an Owon HDS25 (25MHz)or Hanmatek HO52 (40MHz, rebadged Owon HDS242).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 03:43:16 pm
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on January 21, 2025, 10:04:45 amHe specifically said he wants amanual rangingmeter, ie.notthe ZT225.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 03:51:49 pm
content: ZT-225 has the Range selector which allows manual ranging.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 04:16:16 pm
content: Quote from: mwb1100 on January 21, 2025, 03:51:49 pmExactly. Auto Range is the default, but you can also select the range manually if you prefer.

author: Paul T
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 05:02:35 pm
content: While I agree with the suggestions so far, the OP's requirements made me think about the Venlab VM-600M.Darren Walker reviewed it here:You can see if it's accurate enough for your purposes by reviewing my comparison graphs.https://www.keepontesting.com/post/error-chart-compilation-dc-voltagehttps://www.keepontesting.com/post/error-chart-compilation-dc-currenthttps://www.keepontesting.com/post/error-chart-compilation-resistancehttps://www.keepontesting.com/post/error-chart-compilation-capacitanceHappy shopping!

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 05:04:16 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on January 21, 2025, 05:18:48 amThey never state that. What they do state is:QuoteThey never define cheap or how they define best. They never say what deficiencies they feel their meter has. They like the Agilent, know how to use it, it is still available and doesn't cost a lot. Seems like the obvious choice for the OP.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 05:22:57 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 21, 2025, 05:04:16 pmI think that the OP and the peanut gallery (including me) might not agree with your assessment of the cost. IDK whether the OP wants "cheap" because he doesn't want to spend the money or because he just thinks a basic meter should be $30 or so. But he did say "cheap" in his OP and he specifically mentioned a meter that costs about $30.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 05:39:35 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 21, 2025, 05:22:57 pmThey never place a constraint on cost but they claimed to have purchased at least one Agilent. They also claim to "do lots of work with 240 and 480VAC.". We don't know what this entails. As you already stated:Quote

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 06:05:51 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 21, 2025, 05:22:57 pmExactly. The $30 Astro was the reason why I suggested the ZT-225. Otherwise the jump from the Agilent to the Zoyi wouldn't have occurred to me.By the way, it's also in the title: “Best cheap/budget multimeter in 2025 ?”A cheap/budget DMM costs less than $50 in my world.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 06:34:21 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 21, 2025, 05:39:35 pmIf high voltage reliability/safety is a concern maybe the Fluke 101 ($50 on Amazon) or 107 ($90 on Amazon). There's no manual ranging on these and other limitations that might not be acceptable to OP.Or a Brymen: BM235 can be found for $80-100.J-R mentioned the BM231which is on welectron for about $60. It loses a few functions compared to the BM235 (temp, caps, Hz, LowZ).It's not clear what exactly is important on this backup meter.

author: Fryguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 10:26:32 pm
content: QuoteLess than 100 bucks in mine . . .The last time i bought a budget DMM as a present for a friend a couple of years ago i chose the Extech (now Teledyne/FLIR) EX330 . Small , good , easy to use , safe - around 65€ new .It's not perfect - but very good for the price and it will not kill you because all the safety features of a grown-up DMM are there .Maybe something a little bit better exists today for the same money . How long ago was the last budget DMM shootout ?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 02:36:10 am
content: Given the original constraints of rugged, operating at 240/480V and cheap, you could consider Greenlee's DM-25 at around $30.https://www.greenlee.com/us/en/dmm-600v-ac-dc-dm-25-dm-25Greenlee is a reputable brand and they guarantee this to be operational up to CAT III 600V and independently verified (ETL listed). Sure, it is a very simple meter but I have seen it in the wild quite often.I personally bought a DM-200A from them (Brymen in disguise) and, despite bought a NOS from eBay, they honored the lifetime warranty.If you are really on a pinch and have a Walmart supercenter store nearby, you could go for the Hypertough EM830 which is also ETL listed and CAT III, but it is only 300V.https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-Digital-Multimeter-TD35235J-New-4-25-in-Assembled-Product-Width/815000129I tested one and it is quite well built meter when compared to the typical "el cheapo" M830B clones. In my tests I was able to hit it with 240V on all relevant ranges (V, ohms, continuity, diode) and it survived quite well.

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 04:48:45 am
content: Quote from: all_repair on January 21, 2025, 02:55:02 amI hate manual ranging multi meters, at least ones where the range is selected with the dial. Ironically I usually lock the range on an auto ranging MM, but only once I see what I'm looking at.Thanks for the suggestion.

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:10:25 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 20, 2025, 10:17:04 pmIt's been an excellent meter. I forgot exactly when I bought it but it has to be 10 years ago. It has an issue where VAC doesn't zero properly, not sure why that is. I messaged Keysight and am waiting for them to reply. It's had this for the last 4-5 years, I just never get around to sending it in. It has an offset of ~4 volts with the probes connected and sometimes 12VAC when I am measuring 2 different points on the same phase of a 240VAC system. All this on the 1000V range. It's annoying.I've mainly used my U1271A for residential and industrial stuff - checking panels, control circuitry, relays, etc. It's a bit dirty but still functions 100%. The text on all the buttons is still 100% legible, etc.The U1270 line isn't really designed for bench use. It measures things well but its a bit bulky and the display isn't pleasing to the eye. It is a 30,000 count multimeter though... I'd like something a bit less industrial and a bit smaller.Having said all that, the multimeter I have my eye on is the Zoyi ZT703S. Why ? I can't get my head around buying a 6000 count multimeter, so I'm looking at 20000+ count models and by the time you in that price range, why not get the 703 ? There are many times that I would like to see the signal I am taking measurements of but don't want to haul out an oscilloscope. I think the scope would be very handy, even if it is a rudimentary scope. I have a bench scope that I can use if I need a better look or I need to store a waveform.The most annoying "feature" on my U1271A is having to turn the dial to off to turn it off. Lots of times I'll take a measurement and be done and I have to turn the dial to off, for no other reason. There isn't a button press that will turn it off. You can turn it on with a button press but not off. So sometimes I have the auto power off set short but that is annoying too. The dial gets a lot of unnecessary use because there is no way to turn it off without moving the dial.It's been a really interesting experience looking at multimeter and reading about them. I haven't bought or looked at a MM since I bought my 1271A. It's funny how there is a flood of lower end meters but the industrial segment is still owned by Fluke and the price gap is big.

author: Paul T
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 01:52:22 pm
content: The gap between cheap multimeters and high end meters is being filled with high value multipurpose devices. You may also want to consider a thermal imaging camera plus multimeter. If you can afford the ET15s, go for it. It’s new for 2025.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 04:10:45 pm
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 22, 2025, 05:10:25 amWide-bandwidth TRMS meters often use an analog TRMS chip that has this "feature", referred to as "residual counts". The preface to the specifications section of your manual states:Specification assumptions• Accuracy is given as ± (% of reading + counts of least significant digit) at 23 °C ± 5 °C, withrelative humidity less than 80% RH.• AC V and AC μA/mA/A specifications are AC coupled, true RMS andare valid from 5% ofrange to 100% of range.• Crest factor ≤ 3 at full-scale and decrease reciprocally for overange as 3 x Full Scale / Input;except for the 1000 V range, where this range has a crest factor ≤ 1.5 at full scale anddecrease reciprocally for overange as• 1.5 x Full Scale / Input.• For non-sinusoidal waveforms, add (2% of reading + 2% of full scale) typical.• After ZLOW voltage measurements, wait at least 20 minutes for thermal impact to cool beforeproceeding with any other measurement.You'll see that the meter is not specified below 5% of range, which is 50V in your case. This includes zero. The meter will presumably meet it's specifications once the voltage goes over 50V. If you want to read voltages below 50V you have to use a lower range. All analog-based TRMS meters have this issue although it may not be as apparent in some. Residual counts may be negative, in which case the meter will display zero until you reach some threshold. Some meters will automatically zero out the display below a certain threshold to avoid the annoying bouncing digits. This may look better at first but is actually more deceptive because a zero reading doesn't necessarily mean zero voltage.IDK what Keysight will tell you and I don't even know if they actually service these meters. Lots of stuff is "service by replacement" these days. However, from your description I'd say it is not broken.QuoteOne of the advantages of cheap meter is that they are cheap, which means you're not risking much provided you don't use them near high energy circuits.Ideally a bench is set up so that you don't have to haul out anything, it's already there. Since you plan on bench-only use for this, why not look at actual bench meters? They can be set up and ready all of the time and generally have nicer displays.QuoteYou're in the right place, there's endless discussions about the latest $30 meter. You're right, there's a lot of cheap stuff with questionable specs and ratings (also endlessly discussed here) and there's expensive industrial stuff and not much in between. There aren't too many companies actually trying to put out a really good product in the $200-300 range and the few that do don't sell directly in the US. Brymen, available here rebadged as Greenlee, does have properly made and certified meters in that range. Uni-T and CEM both make (and sell under different names) meters and combination scope/meter products in that range, they're feature rich but of suspect quality in the safety and durability departments. In reality, Fluke still owns a big chunk of the market and they're taking full advantage of that. But they're selling a different product to a different market segment and I'm sure they are't worried about the latest line of Zotek products.

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:07:28 pm
content: QuoteI kind of expected that answer as the meter technically is within spec. However, it zeros out on the 1000V DC range and the really annoying thing is that if I use the meter in the "QikV" setting it zeros to 4V and I have no option to change the range.Luckily the U1271A is a 30000 count meter so when I use it on the 299.99 range to measure 240VAC the error is only 0.4V. It still bugs me though.Thanks for all the great replies !

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:09:35 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 22, 2025, 04:10:45 pmThey all seem pointless to me. A $30 Chinese oscilloscope will tell you more infoandlet you see the shape of the wave.

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:19:11 pm
content: QuoteI haven't checked the testing results yet, but I would use most of these meters on 240VAC and probably 400VAC. Anything above that and I'm not holding the meter during the measurement anyway. Furthermore, anything over 500VAC and we are probably using a HV probe and the meter is seeing 5V or 50V, not the full voltage.QuoteI do industrial electronics troubleshooting and development. And while most of the work gets done on a bench, sooner or later things go into the field and then I need a device for that work. Right now I use my U1271A and it works well, but sometimes a scope would be really handy, even a simple scope. So the 703S kinda fits that role... it would be a nice bench meter (nicer than the U1271A) and it could be very handy in the field as a scope.I don't like bench meters because they aren't battery operated. My bench isn't a bench, it is really a lab, at times anyway. So its very handy to have a meter that I can hang off something and not have to plug in to AC power. My current/main scope is now a MSO5000 which needs AC but I am intrigued by the new, smaller (cheap) 12 bit scopes that are battery powered for exactly this reason.The other thing about using battery powered scopes instead of AC scopes is that the negative lead isn't tied to earth ground. Thus you could do differential measurements with a single probe. Yes, I know the ramifications of that. Have you priced out a HV differential probe lately ?

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:33:50 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 22, 2025, 04:10:45 pmWhy always so sweepingly negative about these $30 meters?It just sounds like salesman's talk (akaFUD) to me.You can check the specifications. I can't say anything bad so far.In the attachment you see 10V from an AD584L and 1mA (1000μA).Isn't that sufficiently accurate? Where is the problem?Someone bought anAgilent 34461a yesterday, and it's less accurate than my $30 "crap" meter.Why aren't you complaining about that?For a $600 device, the warning would at least make sense.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:50:23 pm
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on January 22, 2025, 05:33:50 pmActually, they wrote:QuoteI have no way to test for calibration and assume the products meet what ever the manufacture claims for accuracy. For industrial electrical use, I wouldn't trust the marking, or that a low cost meter was actually certified. Even if the manufacture shows it certified at some point, as we have seen with the UNI-T UT61E, it doesn't mean the manufacture hasn't reduced the costs of the product.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 05:56:36 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 22, 2025, 05:50:23 pmI thought the discussion had moved this side of CAT II in the meantime?For CAT III upwards, I would also buy a more professional device. But that is pure theory for me.I think you need more specialized training for that anyway.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 06:26:54 pm
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on January 22, 2025, 05:56:36 pmI would hope so but maybe in Canada, they are more relaxed on requirements. The fact OP would consider using tools without proper certification would suggest this.There is a channel someone suggested I watch of a guy in Canada (AvE) who claims to be some sort of electrical worker. He did a rant on a Fluke fork that I looked at. The best one was the talking about safety and Fluke while showing some hardware store fuse they stuck in their meter. Again, maybe in Canada anyone with a $30 meter can be an industrial electrician. I wonder what their fatality numbers are.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/uni-t-ut-181a-what-am-i-doing-wrong-(big-bandwidth-on-ac-volts-range-)/msg3063280/#msg3063280

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 07:22:42 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 22, 2025, 06:26:54 pmI dunno but I've pointed out many times that Harbor Freight's given away millions of shockingly "unsafe" meters to complete idiots and they're not facing any class action lawsuits.I wouldn't recommend using one but facts are facts.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 07:36:28 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on January 22, 2025, 07:22:42 pmI doubt many if these meters were ever used for 480 industrial electrical work the OP is apparently involved with. It is a fact that new HF free meters are no longer marked for use at the same voltage levels they once were. Given their cost sensitivity, I doubt they made these changes to further reduce cost but rather to give them some level of protection against those that may use it for applications it isn't designed for.Using one in my home for 120V, with several feet of 14AWG cable and breakers, I doubt presents much risk even for those challenged you mention.Funny story...

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 10:37:02 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 22, 2025, 05:50:23 pmHow ironic is it that Canadian lineman and electricians go down and help out the US after storms and natural disasters. I guess maybe Canadians know what they are doing ?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2025, 01:32:31 am
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 22, 2025, 10:37:02 pmIt's not on my radar (not mentioned on the news). I doubt many lineman are using a handheld meter while working on the overhead lines.

author: LinuxGuy123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2025, 10:06:09 pm
content: Update on my Agilent 1271A: Keysight won't comment on whether it is damaged or not or whether it needs servicing because I don't have a service agreement with them for it. If I get a service agreement then they will talk to me.Next time I will buy a cheap offshore multimeter. The meter hasn't been abused. I wasn't sure what to expect but at least I expected them to say whether it was out of spec or broken. But they aren't going to talk unless I buy a service contract on it.I'm really disappointed because other than this voltage issue I really like the meter.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 03:08:18 am
content: Quote from: LinuxGuy123 on January 28, 2025, 10:06:09 pmSorry to hear that, unfortunately based on others recent experiences with Keysight I was anticipating it might go something like that. FWIW, your meter probably is OK if it has less than 200 residual counts, maybe even as much as 500. I don't see a spec for that, just the 5% of range specified as the minimum level at which the specs apply. Fluke actually states "up to 200" on the 289 and mine was at 233 when they replaced it (for other reasons).You don't need to go all the way to the bottom of the barrel and given how you use the meter, I wouldn't recommend it. If you don't want to part with the $1k or so that a Fluke 289 goes for these days, many here recommend the Brymen 869S which is sold in North America through Greenlee with a lifetime warranty. It is roughly comparable with your Keysight.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 03:40:53 am
content: Indeed a sad conclusion to this matter. Unfortunately the *maker* fad has been waning and the more traditional manufacturers have been giving a hard time to regular hobbyists and occasional users. The Chinese are dominating this segment.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 05:36:08 am
content: You can get a brand new Fluke 289 all day long on eBay for under $600.I had concerns about the OLED display on my U1461A, which I bought "used" from Keysight as the complete full kit for $400 (hard case, Bluetooth, USB, multiple probes, etc.), so I purchased a three year service plan as well for $180. They've replaced it once already and I'm about ready to have them replace it again. Speaks poorly to the U1461A OLED display, but speaks well to their service if you just pay for it.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 05:51:06 am
content: Quote from: J-R on January 29, 2025, 05:36:08 amWhat happens after three years?

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2025, 05:51:57 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 29, 2025, 03:08:18 amYou can get a Brymen BM869s from welectron for about $200 US including shipping. If it's getting shipped to the US, there's also no sales tax (or VAT).The downside is that the warranty on the BM869s is only 1 year, and I'm not sure how easy it is to get warranty service from outside the EU if you buy from welectron.On the other hand the equivalent Greenlee DM-860A costs about $385 (plus shipping depending on who you buy it from). I have never heard anything about people's experiences with getting Greenlee warranty service - good or bad.Check for an eevblog discount code if you buy from welectron (Brymen) or TEquipment (Greenlee).