Looking for solid Handheld DMM, mainly Temp Type K and Ohms Measurement - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Magnum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 08:30:40 am
content: Hello,I am looking for a solid handheld DMM. It will mostly be used for Temperature Type K and Ohms measurement. Also for Voltage and Current, but not that often.It has to have the following specs:- At least 10.000 counts- Ohms resolution 10mOhm- Ohms accuracy better than 0.05 Ohm at 10 Ohms measurement (Usually <1% +-5 Digits at 100 Ohm Range)- Type K Temperature Measurement accuracy better than 1% +- 5K- Quick Continuity Test- Quick Autorange- The DMM will have to be calibrated, so a traceable Calibration would be nice.- Purchase price without VAT below 450 EurosI bought a Gossen Metrawatt AM Pro which has the accuracy and comes Dakks Calibrated, but it is not the fastest DMMM on earth. Ohms and Temperature measurements always take several seconds until they stabilize. So if someone knows a DMM with teh requested specs it would help me a lot.Many thanks.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 08:42:31 am
content: QuoteThat would need a 4-wire Kelvin setup, not sure that even exists in a handheld dmm.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 09:11:48 am
content: The ohms specification is indeed the hardest one. I took a quick look at the high accuracy meters U1282A and BM789 and they do not meet this specification. A bench meter would probably be better suited for this specific parameter.

author: Magnum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 09:43:14 am
content: Thanks for the replies,I just ordered a Keysight U1272A. It has 30 Ohms range with a 1mOhm resolution, accuracy 0,2% +-10 digits. Of course a 4 wire measurement is much better, but it is doable.The U1272A is also really quick and the Temperature accuracy is 1% +-1K.BTW: There are handheld milliohmmeters with 4-wire Kelvin measurement available, but they usually don't have Temperature Type K. I use a BK Precision 880 for critical measurements, but is a LCR Meter.Gossen Metrawatt has portables (quite expensive)Peaktech (cheap)

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 10:34:52 am
content: Good luck with your purchase! The U127x series is excellent (I have a U1273A) and indeed it is stricter in this particular range than the U1282A.

author: Arhigos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 01:28:21 pm
content: Quote from: Magnum on July 17, 2021, 09:43:14 amIf you need 4-wire OHMS and K-type TC with high accuracy and dmm size, the process or temperature calibrator would be more suitable in that caseThere is some cheap ones for your price range, i don't know how good is quality

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2021, 05:16:44 pm
content: Quote from: Magnum on July 17, 2021, 09:43:14 amLet us know how well it works in real life. My Fluke 289 also would meet your criteria on paper, and is very accurate with a reference resistor, but with actual test leads it is quite difficult to get milliohm-level accuracy in situations like testing SMD current shunts. Yours uses a much smaller test current (0.65mA vs 10mA) and I'm not sure whether that is better or worse.