Mid range multimeter suggestion - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 04:20:47 am
content: I'm looking to get a mid range multimeter, mainly for low voltage hobby use. I'd rather a decent quality known brand but I realise I'm unlikely to find one at such a low price.Needs:Available in/shipped to Australia for around $50.00AU (happy to go a bit over if needed)Decent capacitanceDecent frequencyuA rangeWants:Backlight20A currentThe UT61E seems decent, are there any other good meters that might suit my needs?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 04:33:22 am
content: I would suggest the UT139C instead. It is better built and has a back light. The UT61E does not have a back light.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 04:43:59 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 08, 2016, 04:33:22 amThis. UT139C is a good meter.But keep in mind that for frequency measurements it needs zero crossing, so it is not very useful for digital signals.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 04:56:23 am
content: Quote from: Nogtail on October 08, 2016, 04:20:47 amIt's not a bad meter but:a) Don't be fooled by all the digits - the last one is mostly decoration.b) It's not very robust electrically - seehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hear-kitty-kitty-kitty-nope-not-that-kind-of-cat/nb. I'm not saying don't get one, just listing the known problems. No meter is perfect in this price range. Treat a UT61E nicely and will serve you well.Backlight?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/uni-t-ut61e-backlight-mod-with-touch-sensor-(tutorial)/For more than 10A you need to start thinking about a clamp.

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 05:41:11 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on October 08, 2016, 04:43:59 amDo both the UT139C and UT61E require zero crossing for frequency? I will mainly be using it for digital signals and measuring frequency is fairly important to me.Will a capacitor in series make it usable for DC signals? (sorry, noob question)

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 05:44:47 am
content: Quote from: Nogtail on October 08, 2016, 05:41:11 amYes, both are the same in this respect.Quote from: Nogtail on October 08, 2016, 05:41:11 amYes, but it is a bit of a hassle.

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 05:52:38 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on October 08, 2016, 05:44:47 amAre there any other meters you could suggest that would be more suitable for DC frequency measurement?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 05:53:55 am
content: Quote from: Nogtail on October 08, 2016, 05:52:38 amNo idea. If I really need to know the frequency (which happens rarely), I use the scope.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 06:05:33 am
content: Quote from: Nogtail on October 08, 2016, 05:41:11 amSounds like you need an oscilloscope more than you need a multimeter.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 07:21:16 am
content: To measure frequency use a frequency counter. Not a meter. Not a scope.A frequency counter is far more accurate, stable, and robust. Many have two inputs which can be combined in useful ways, like difference, or gated.You can get used counters that go up to a couple hundred megahertz for very little cash. I would get one old enough to be through hole, and old enough to have a real service manual and schematic. Then you can fix it yourself forever, unlike new SMD stuff with no schematics.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 07:27:52 am
content: if you need the frequency counter on a multimeter, go brymen

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 09:53:04 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 08, 2016, 06:05:33 amA scope would be nice, currently I only have the money for a multimeter though.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 11:55:41 am
content: Quote from: JPortici on October 08, 2016, 07:27:52 amWhat Brymen meters are within budget?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 11:58:21 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on October 08, 2016, 04:43:59 amI didn't know that. Buying a meter is a minefield.

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 12:39:45 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 08, 2016, 11:58:21 amSo read it via a series Cap.

author: omgfire
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 12:47:21 pm
content: Quote from: JPortici on October 08, 2016, 07:27:52 amBrymen BM235 50kHzUNI-T UT139C 10MHzUNI-T UT61E 40MHz

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 02:06:26 pm
content: Quote from: retrolefty on October 08, 2016, 12:39:45 pmWhat value?

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 02:19:58 pm
content: A scope would be nice, currently I only have the money for a multimeter though.Get a DSO138 you won't regret it.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 02:20:10 pm
content: Quote from: omgfire on October 08, 2016, 12:47:21 pmI think that you cannot have a good input protection (at least CAT III 1000V) and f>1MHz counter. Just look at Fluke 289.http://www.fluke.com/fluke/uken/Digital-Multimeters/Fluke-289.htm?PID=56061OK, some Keysight DMMs probably can measure frequency up to 20 MHz while being CAT III 1000V.http://www.keysight.com/en/pc-1000004008%3Aepsg%3Apgr/handheld-digital-multimeter-clamp-and-calibrator-meters?nid=-34618.0.00&cc=CZ&lc=eng

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 04:33:54 pm
content: Quote from: Nogtail on October 08, 2016, 04:20:47 amSo no need for TRMS or a mV range. No mention of logging or counts. More of a my first meter sort of thing. My concern is the "mainly for low voltage hobby use". It's those few other things you do that may be a problem. Like others, I typically use shunts to measure current. The UT210E has found it's way into my tool set as a clamp. It does a good job for what it is.Quote from: omgfire on October 08, 2016, 12:47:21 pmNot to mention the BM235 must be at least 2X over their allowance.Personally I like the AMPROBE AM510 for a low cost meter. It's pretty robust electrically (for those other things you plan to use it for). The first time I transient tested a group of low cost meters , this meter was second only to the Fluke 101. It meets EMC IEC 61326. Not something I have ever seen a UNI-T be certified for. It survived my grill starter and basic line voltage tests. Anymore, I'm always impressed when a UNI-T survives the grill starter.As for brand name, AMPROBE's parent company is Danaher Corporation. The same company that bought Fluke and Keithley (not that this added any value to the products).It has a backlight and even a flashlight.Below 1nF, the capacitance is not all that great.The frequency measurement is not effected by the offset and the one I have can read to about 33MHz (they spec 10MHz). It can also measure duty cycle.It has a 400uA range with a 100nA resolution. It is spec'ed for 10A like most. It uses the 6.3X32mm fuses. So when you blow them you can afford to replace them rather than jump them out with wire.It is adjusted with pots if you ever needed to align it. It also has a NCV feature which may help you in some of your other uses for the meter.It seems to be a good fit but I would recommend you download the manuals for the meters you are interested in and read them before you buy.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 04:48:27 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 08, 2016, 04:33:54 pmJoe has spoken.Hear his words.

author: omgfire
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 05:06:01 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on October 08, 2016, 04:33:54 pmTopicstarter might not live in USA.http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/digital-multimeters/7943099/

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 05:10:05 pm
content: The AM510 is surely a good meter too, but it doesn't do TRMS.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 08:22:10 pm
content: Quote from: omgfire on October 08, 2016, 05:06:01 pmTE Equipment is a little cheaper. 2000 zip code adds $35. Looks like they have some distributors there as well. May be able to get a better price.

author: daybyter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2016, 09:15:59 pm
content: Maybe a hantek 6022be usb scope would be an option for you. It is in the 50$ range. A 10$ salae clone might also help you.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hantek-6022be-20mhz-usb-dso/http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Logic-Analyzer-Device-Set-USB-Cable-24MHz-8CH-24MHz-for-ARM-FPGA-M100-New-/131752135890?hash=item1ead0a0cd2:g:8mUAAOSwl9BWIMdL

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 03:55:36 am
content: The AM-510 does seem like a better fit for me, sadly I can't seem to find it for less than $100.00AU. I think I will probably go with either the UT139C or UT61E depending on what I can get cheapest and easiest.Can anyone recommend any good sellers for the UT139C/UT61E? I would rather not buy from China as the cost of sending back a faulty meter would probably be more than the meter itself. It seems a lot of people have got their meter fromhttp://stores.ebay.com.au/99centHobbies/but they do not appear to stock either at this time.I'm currently using an Arduino as a makeshift oscilloscope for low speed signals but will buy a decent benchtop scope when I have the money for it.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 04:35:54 am
content: This is Franky's sales thread (aka iloveelectronics), ask there and he'll reply:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/franky's-sales-thread/

author: daybyter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 11:30:33 am
content: http://www.stm32duino.com/viewtopic.php?t=107