*Real* CAT III/300V Pocket DMM - Southwire DMMW3 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 11:37:58 pm
content: I found a *real* CAT III/300V pocket DMM at Lowes:https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwire-Digital-Multimeter-Meter/999970924Functionally, it's similar to most other pocket multimeters, but its protection is outstanding for its size. Here are some picks:

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 12:02:02 am
content: Wonder what battery life it gets with a lithium coin cell?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 02:53:26 am
content: A PTC and MOVs, wow!

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 03:48:20 am
content: Quote from: mmagin on February 25, 2017, 12:02:02 amCurrent draw varies depending on function, but worst case (not continuity beeper sounding) is 2.2 mA. This isn't too terrible for the CR2032 cells according to this datasheet:https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/maxell_cr2032_datasheet.pdfIt should get 200 mAh-- it should get around 100 hours or more.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 04:13:03 am
content: That looks pretty good!UL listed too!Who is the EOM for this?Available under other brands?Not quite a pocket meter in my book as it has separate leads, but very small.

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 05:07:37 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 25, 2017, 04:13:03 amThe UEI DM5B has separate leads too, wouldn't you call that a pocket meter?https://www.amazon.com/Test-Equipment-Pocket-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B000B6OL30The DMMW3 is about the same width and length as the DM5B, but it's thicker to accommodate the shrouded test leads and peripheral blast shielding.I don't know who actually makes this meter for Southwire, it seems to be a unique design of their's contracted to some production house in China, I can't find any other version of it. Southwire does make other meters that I haven't seen elsewhere too:http://nextgenmeters.southwiretools.com/While I've never heard of them, Southwire has been around for a long time:http://www.southwire.com/and "Woods" is one of their trademarks. They've got smartphone apps too:http://www.woods.com/

author: Rypht
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 08:13:44 am
content: It appears to be manufactured by Shenzhen Everbest Machinery Industry Co., Ltd. Found it referenced on a bill of lading being shipped to Southwire, here:https://panjiva.com/Shenzhen-Everbest-Machinery-Industry-Co-Ltd/1261747"LINE15 DIGITAL MULTIMETER DMMW3(DMP-32) 840PCS REF 59725540 "For some reason, on this website (http://ftp.cem-instruments.com/en/pro/pro-334.html) , DMP-32 is listed in the infrared thermometer section (with no picture). However running the chinese text of the various tabs through google translate, it's pretty clear it's a dmm, and the specs seem to line up with info on pic of the back of the insert kwass posted, as well specification page picture, as well as listing the CR 2032 battery.On the subject of Woods Industries, it was acquired by Coleman Cable Inc in 2007 (http://www.colemancable.com/company/acquisitions/woods-industries/) and then Coleman Cable entered a merger agreement with Southwire in 2013 (http://www.ccixpress.com/cci/Marketing/PR%20&%20Other%20Announcements/CCI_Enters_Merger_Agreement_with_Southwire.pdf). So that's where Woods Industries went.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 08:53:28 am
content: Might pick one of these up for my father next time I am at a Lowes.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 09:55:51 am
content: So... what's the dimensions?If we're talking about separate leads and a pouch then a Fluke 101 isn't exactly huge.(130 mm x 65 mm x 27mm to be exact)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 10:04:48 am
content: Quote from: kwass on February 25, 2017, 05:07:37 amThe graphics look very much like CEM/Extech

author: Rypht
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 11:08:07 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on February 25, 2017, 09:55:51 amAccording to the CEM webpage?H*W*D?:115mm x 60mm x 16mm

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 11:21:46 am
content: Quote from: Rypht on February 25, 2017, 11:08:07 amOK, so... about half the volume.(mostly in thickness)

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 04:30:00 pm
content: Quote from: Rypht on February 25, 2017, 11:08:07 amIt measures 115mm x 60mm x 15mm -- measured to the top of the knob it's 19mmIt feels very solid for such a small meter and the display is excellent (but not backlit)Curiously the advertising photos shows it with a MAX button and a RANGE button, but in fact is has a "Hz/%" and a "REL" button respectively. It's always auto ranging and there's no min/max function.... more on this...Apparently this is a modification of CEM's DMP-3x series of pocket meters:http://www.cem-instruments.com/en/Goods/detail/id/686/pid/768/pids/1136#Modified for UL compliance no doubt, by adding an HRC fuse and maybe other protection.CEM's sure makes a lot of multimeters:http://www.mgi.com.uy/images/pdf/cem-instrumentos-digitales/cem--multimeter.pdfCheck out that DT-9998 on the last page. Wow, everything but the kitchen sink!The full version of this meter looks pretty cool (I think that this is a DMP-33 despite the labeling on the face)

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 07:34:18 pm
content: I live near a large Lowes. I'll see if they have one in stock and run it if they do.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 07:58:31 pm
content: I look forward to Joes review. Depending on how well it fares, i might pick one up. So I have one to keep in the car.

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 08:47:57 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 25, 2017, 07:34:18 pmI find it has about the same functionally as a couple of other pocket DMM's I have: the UEI DM5B and the UNI-T UT120C.All are small, within spec on all ranges and all have awful continuity beepers. The Southwire DMMW3 stands out because it has a much better feel to it, has serious input protection and comes with relatively decent leads for a pocket meter (and can use any test leads). However it is about 50% thicker than the other two meters.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 09:26:28 pm
content: Only had time to do a quick google search for the fuse pictured in one of the open case photos above."astm hv510.0.2 fuse"So far all I found was a PDF link for ASTM fuses, in the list it shows the 200ma fuse as "510.0.2"Hope these fuses are not hard to find. Looks like a decent backup meter, for a coat pocket.http://www.astml.com/uploads/product/hv510%20rev%2020161223.pdf

author: Rypht
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 10:03:49 pm
content: Quote from: kwass on February 25, 2017, 04:30:00 pmWhoa, 6 hour battery life on that DT-9998. Thankfully it's rechargeable.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 10:35:50 pm
content: They had a fairly large selection of meters in stock at the local store.

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 10:37:01 pm
content: Quote from: MacMeter on February 25, 2017, 09:26:28 pmEasy enough to find, but not cheap:http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-200mA-600-Volt-Replacement-Fuse-69031/206825588?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D27E-Electrical%7c&gclid=CL28qqKnrNICFU1WDQodYdYABQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2017, 10:49:21 pm
content: Quote from: kwass on February 25, 2017, 10:37:01 pmNice find, at least they are available.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 07:18:44 pm
content: If there is anything you would like me to check, now is the time to ask. I'm getting close to the destructive part of the testing.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 07:25:05 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 26, 2017, 07:18:44 pmLIGHT THE CANDLE!

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 07:30:36 pm
content: Quote from: MacMeter on February 26, 2017, 07:25:05 pmNow that is confidence!I am using the free HR meter, 101 and 107 as a comparison. Plan is to use the new ESD gun and retire the grill starter. If it fails (no EMC cert from what I saw) then I will run the 101 and 107 (HF meter would fail for sure).

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 07:50:04 pm
content: Quote from: kwass on February 25, 2017, 04:30:00 pmYeah, that DMP-33 caught my eye. I was wondering how it compared to the Southwire Woods model, but since I could not find it for sale anywhere, I gave up.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 08:07:44 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 26, 2017, 07:18:44 pmIs any good at all (in your opinion)?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2017, 09:10:36 pm
content: Quote from: The Soulman on February 26, 2017, 08:07:44 pmGood? That depends on a lot of variables.The Wood, 5KY's Fluke 107 along with the free meter. That 107 has survived levels higher than I exposed the 101 to! I would have put the 101 in there but I still have never opened it up.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2017, 03:10:32 pm
content: Couldn't resist, where I live Lowes never had these "in store", but Amazon has them, and as of this writing, a 20% OFF, coupon, on the order page. With Prime, $26 delivered. Small, and with glass fuse, figure it was worth having in a travel bag.