Multimeter that work on 2000V DC - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 06:57:55 pm
content: Hi guy's,I'm looking for a multimeter that can take 2000 V DC like the Avometer.Thank you in advance four your inputeurofox

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 07:15:57 pm
content: Fluke with HV probe?

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 07:21:04 pm
content: It would be useful if you provided more information about your budget and requirements - for example the Vitrek 4700 multimeter will natively measure DC up to 10,000V, but it's $3000. A Fluke 80K-6 probe will handle 6000V for a more reasonable sum.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 07:28:42 pm
content: In Yugoslavia, there were 2000V multimeters.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-482-retro-iskra-multimeter-teardown/msg246320/#msg246320

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:12:27 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on October 28, 2013, 07:21:04 pmMy idea was to find a multimeter able to do that and don't have to spend $3000eurofox

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:13:35 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on October 28, 2013, 07:15:57 pmI put it on my list to find one.eurofox

author: samofab
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:33:59 pm
content: I recently bought a Voltcraft 40kV probe that works with any multimeter for about 40 EUR. Its big and I hope it doesn't kill me if I try to measure 60kV some day (and that day might come soon).I also bought a chinese oscilloscope probe x100 for 25USD and it supposedly works up to 2kV.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:42:29 pm
content: The Fluke 80K-6 doesn't require a Fluke meter -- it will work with any meter having a 10 megaohm input impedance.Note that it is for low energy circuits only. Not for power distribution!Depending on your needs for safety and accuracy, you might be able to throw together your own resistive divider that would accomplish the same task as the 80K-6. But the 80K-6 isn't a particularly expensive device.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:54:00 pm
content: As has already been said, we need to know what is the intended use.If it is for playing with low current things then it is relatively cheap to measure high voltages like 2kV. But is this for something with high power or in a power distribution panel, then you need to stay away from it if you are asking for a multimeter to measure that voltage and power as it will kill you in an instant if you don't know what you are doing and don't follow correct procedures.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:56:56 pm
content: Quote from: samofab on October 28, 2013, 09:33:59 pmDon't assume a 40 kV probe will be safe above its rated 40 kV, especially not a Voltcraft one. And I certainly would advise against letting your life depend on that probe exceeding its specs. If you need a probe for a circuit that might be up to 60 kV, get a probe rated for at least 60 kV.

author: samofab
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 10:02:15 pm
content: :-)thanks for the warning about 60kV. If I plug into a circuit (a big if) where I can expect voltages above its rated maximum I'll make sure I don't come close or touch it while powered on.General rant: probes get expensive above 40kV and hand soldered divider is in my opinion (at that voltage) quite a dangerous thing.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 10:06:21 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on October 28, 2013, 09:54:00 pmI need to repair a scope but don't need a 40KV probe right now but I already locate a Fluke probe on a local second hand website and I'll try to get it.eurofox

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 10:45:25 pm
content: For anyone considering the DIY route, think again. If you think there is a certain amount of "black art" going from analogue to RF the same can be said for high voltage.I know precious little about it myself but have seen HV cable joiners working and some of the stuff they do seems odd. I have some notes around somewhere that I may dig up.For example stripping the insulation on a single core, it's not good enough to simply cut the insulation and leave a 90deg step at the end of the insulation, they actually taper it down to the conductor.If they place a lug on the end of a core and there is a gap between the insulation and the start of the lug, the gap is filled... and loads of isopropanol to make sure everything is clean.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 11:15:42 pm
content: Quote from: eurofox on October 28, 2013, 10:06:21 pmFor measuring the few kilovolts in a scope, just build a 1000:1 divider yourself.

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 08:58:19 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on October 28, 2013, 11:15:42 pmDo you have a design suggestion, including the mechanical execution, please? For a high impedance HT divider corona discharge is going to be problematic in a DIY design, even for the 15KV or so found in scope anode supplies.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 09:45:31 am
content: Also be aware of HV probes you see on china sites.I've seen one for sale which look kind of like it would connect to a scope.There is wires coming out to a connector as well as a few other single cables.The connector is just a connection to the switch on the side, one of those other wires is HT cable and connected right to the end of the probe!!

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 01:02:48 pm
content: Quote from: ElectroIrradiator on October 29, 2013, 08:58:19 amYou don't typically measure 15kV. The 2-3kV supply it's sourced from is much easier.

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 01:44:37 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on October 29, 2013, 01:02:48 pmHow do you test the HT quintupler, or check if there is a leak path on the HT rail (cracked insulation plus dust/dirt)?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 03:02:27 pm
content: Quote from: ElectroIrradiator on October 29, 2013, 01:44:37 pmIf you suspect the multiplier, they're usually cheaper than a suitable probe.As for the leak path, visual inspection and cleaning is usually an easy place to start..

author: orin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 04:49:57 pm
content: I got a BK Precision PR 28A from Amazon.com to test the HV (it was 2700V) on my spectrum analyzer display. Goes to 40kV so they say. At $64 new it wasn't worth going to ebay for something used. They supply three tips, a point, a hook and metal plate which I assume is for slipping under CRT anode connectors.It worked fine, but given the test point is a plated through hole, I had to use the pointed tip and hold the probe in place. Resting it on the chassis worked, but I had to watch out it didn't slip.The scary part of this adventure was when I discharged the tube. The recommended method was to connect a lead from a long flat blade screwdriver to the chassis and slide it under the anode connection. So I got an alligator clip lead out - you know, the ones that you get half a dozen of for about $5 - and because I was paranoid, checked its resistance. Open circuit! I found at least two of the leads were open circuit - the copper breaks under the crimp.Perhaps I'll buy some better quality ones or make my own...

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 07:09:15 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on October 29, 2013, 03:02:27 pmThat just about sums it all upYou can sleeve any cracked or leaking UHT leadThe highest voltage i have checked on several CRT scopes was 2750 and done with Avo 8 Mk5 with are made for such measurements and cheap to find.Plenty of manuals and service data out there too.Just watch out for cheap copies of Avo leads

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 07:46:52 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on October 29, 2013, 07:09:15 pmWell, the Avo isn't suitable for measuring the 2.5kV rail on my scope (or I'd have used mine), too heavy a loading.Thankfully, 11 resistors, a pot, and a cap work wonders for this low down the HV scale.

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 08:49:21 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on October 29, 2013, 03:02:27 pmOnly if you never intend to use the HT probe again, *and* you can find a replacement, which will physically fit the target unit.I was hoping there was some nugget of knowledge I had yet to learn here, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2013, 08:59:43 pm
content: Quote from: ElectroIrradiator on October 29, 2013, 08:49:21 pmWhat a shame.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2014, 11:24:24 pm
content: I got a 6KV fluke probe and this work like a charmeurofox

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2014, 11:46:17 pm
content: I also have a Fluke 80K-6 probe that I got with a 27/FM, a set of probes and hard case for $75 shipped(military surplus). I used it to check high voltage in a scope and it worked great. Considering what the probe sells for, i look at it like buying the probe and getting the multimeter free!

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 02:25:36 am
content: With the disappearance of CRT based TV sets,there should be a fair few redundant EHT probes available.Some 'scope makers include a voltage divider between their EHT line & chassis,providing a convenient voltage level for checking with a normal DMM.

author: poida_pie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 06:17:24 am
content: I agree with GreyWoolfe, after I saw the prices for the Fluke 6kV probegetting one of the ex US Army Fluke 27 F/M plus 6kV probe was a great buy on ebay.I got the probe I needed (again, for CRO HV checking) and also got an excellent DVM that isstill spot on accurate, a huge long battery life and built like a brick s**thouse for no extra cost.

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 09:46:10 am
content: Years ago, when I did my first scope repair. I made a HV probe from big resistors from the tube area. I made it with silicon wire and the meter was connected over a trimpot at the ground site. It had crocs so I could mount them, put on the power and there was no need to touch it.To bad it did not work as I hoped. I then learned that the HV test point can be rather high impedance so the HV probe loaded it to much and voltage dropped because the probe was parallel with the testpoint impedance. Total probe R was 100 MOhm.A very good friend came by (he is learned me most of the things about instrument repair) and had a HV testprobe from Voltcraft as a gift to me. It is 40KV and I use it still. I also have an antique Philips HV probe. It has a metal grip. I use it now and then if there is not enough space but it was made for a philips meter that was no 10M.By the way, not every, or better, almost no, HV probe is usable for AC ( other then very low frequency) There are HV scope probes and even those have bandwidth restrictions. I have two Tek HV probes, they are very big.

author: alanb
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 11:01:04 am
content: Quote from: eurofox on October 28, 2013, 06:57:55 pmWhy not use an Avometer, you can pick up a secondhand model 8 for about £10 on Ebay.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2014, 12:29:54 am
content: Quote from: alanb on January 06, 2014, 11:01:04 amI wanted to buy an Avometer for this but was hard to find a nice one, now I know where I can get one but don't need anymore since I got a HV probe.