Looking for a compact DMM with specific features, can't find it! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Logan80
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:04:07 am
content: I work as a gas fireplace technician and need a new DMM. My junky Home Depot one died today.I need the following features:AC and DC Voltage (of course)DC Millivolts (this is a MUST in my line of work!)ContinuityResistanceThat's it. I don't need anything else really for what I do.I would strongly prefer removable test leads, since that's what I think died on mine. Being able to use quality leads would be nice. Auto-ranging would be very convenient of course. I also would like it to use regular batteries (AAA, AA, 9v, etc) instead of the little button batteries. If it dies while I'm working in the field I need to be able to use readily available batteries to get it going again. Unless the button batteries have a VERY long lifespan and a battery warning indicator is present on the DMM.Really theFluke 101would be PERFECT if it could test DC MV. I did notice in the review below when he tests the AAA battery at about 5:30 in the video, it shows 1.026 volts. If it would measure less than 1v by showing 0.546 or something then it would work just fine for me. Does anyone know if that's how it would work?It's exactly the size I want. Not some super tiny fragile thing, but also small enough to be tucked away in a little pouch in my tool bag.Any suggestions on meters that fit my needs? It's really hard to wade through the masses of cheap trash and figure out what's good and what's just a cheap knock-off...https://youtu.be/nxdYAElvEYU

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:17:36 am
content: Extech MN24-KIT Electrical Test Kit?http://www.amazon.com/Extech-MN24-KIT-Electrical-Test-Kit/dp/B002T1BGXI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1453601699&sr=8-8&keywords=extech+multimeter

author: Logan80
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:22:21 am
content: I updated my post. It almost looks like the Fluke 101 would do what I want. For a split second in the video at about 5:31 or so when he first starts to test the AAA battery it shows a reading of 0.413 volts. If it would do that when I test thermocouples and thermopiles in fireplaces I'd be fine.

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:33:00 am
content: The specs for the Fluke 101 are here:http://www.fluke.com/fluke/iden/digital-multimeters/compact-multimeters/fluke-101.htm?pid=77003It shows the resolution on the different ranges.

author: Logan80
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:36:50 am
content: I'm sorry, but I'm not too well versed on this stuff as I'm sure you can tell.Does a resolution of 0.001 V DC mean it will do what I require? Read something that's producing less than 1 volt DC as 0.546 or whatever it's putting out?It seems like it, but I don't want to buy it and wait for shipping and find out I can't use it for anything I do at work...

author: xygor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:47:03 am
content: Yes, it will measure millivolts. It goes down to a 600 mV range with a resolution of 0.1 mV.

author: Logan80
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:49:15 am
content: Quote from: xygor on January 24, 2016, 02:47:03 amThat's the AC specifications.I need millivolts DC.

author: ManateeMafia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:54:04 am
content: You didn't mention budget but the Fluke 87V is about as good as it gets. Lifetime warranty too. It is pretty rugged for field use.It has the DC mV range you need.http://en-us.fluke.com/products/digital-multimeters/fluke-87v-digital-multimeter.html#techspecs

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:54:52 am
content: Quote from: Logan80 on January 24, 2016, 02:36:50 amDepends on how accurate you want it.On the DC volt ranges, accuracy is given as 0.5%±3 digit - which means if you are measuring a 10mV potential on the 6V range, the meter could display a number between 0.007 and 0.013 (with another half digit of uncertainty).This will be absolute accuracy.If you are ok withrelativeaccuracy, then the numbers will be reasonably safe to compare which of two voltages is higher and by roughly how much. For example, if measurement 'A' is 0.005 and measurement 'B' is 0.007, then the actual voltage of 'B' will be higher than 'A' and by an amount that islikelyto be between 1mV and 4mV.Your call if this is acceptable for your needs.

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:55:32 am
content: Quote from: Logan80 on January 24, 2016, 02:49:15 amOn DC it has a resolution of 0.001 V up to 6 V, so yes, it will show 0.546 V as "0.546 V".

author: Logan80
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 02:59:52 am
content: Quote from: Len on January 24, 2016, 02:55:32 amThat's all I need. Accuracy isn't that big of a deal really. With a gas millivolt fireplace it typically works or it doesn't. Knowing the MV within ~25 is plenty really. So if it says 0.546 but it's really 0.522 that doesn't matter to be honest. I know for a test device forum that probably sounds awful though lol.Typical MV fireplaces require 325mv to function, and a thermopile maxes at about 750mv. Typical readings for me are 400-600mv. All I need to really know is that it's above 400 and I can consider it healthy enough to work, if it doesn't then it's another issue.

author: Logan80
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 03:03:29 am
content: Thank you guys for all the help, I really appreciate it!If any of you have problems with a fireplace, feel free to ask

author: xygor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 03:10:33 am
content: Quote from: Logan80 on January 24, 2016, 02:49:15 amOops. Sorry. See you know more than you let on!

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 04:52:06 am
content: http://www.fluke.com/fluke/iden/digital-multimeters/compact-multimeters/fluke-101.htm?pid=77003Check the specifications page and you will see:V DCRange6.000 V60.00 V600.0 VResolution0.001 V0.01 V0.1 VAccuracy 0.5%±3 digit

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 05:28:45 am
content: I know you wanted something simple but the Fluke 117 is ideal for that type of work. It has two features that you might find useful, the first is a non contact voltage alert (double check the circuit is safe to work on), the second is LoZ which loads down the circuit under test to eliminate ghost voltage readings.I've used the Fluke 101, and the Fluke 117 (or 116 if you need temp and no volt alert) they are bigger but not too big that they can't be operated one handed. Either way I recommend visiting a local trade or hardware store and trying them out before getting the Fluke 101.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 05:46:59 am
content: Uni-T UT61E ? It will do millivolts -DC Voltage220mV/2.2V22V220V/1000V(0.1%+2)its quite accurate. I paid around $50 for it and its hard to beat for the money on features and accuracy. However it does not have a backlight, at all. I find the size good, but its not a compact multimeter compared to the pocket sized ones.http://uni-trend.com/UT61E.html?There are some issues for some use cases, but they were not an issue for me, as I live in the US (lower mains voltages) and also never work with HV.

author: AlxDroidDev
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 07:22:21 am
content: I have both the Fluke 117 and the 17B+. For mV and uA measurements I recommend the 17B+.The 117 has more bells and whistles, besides being true RMS.

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 09:43:33 am
content: What about Brymen 257S?It has a 60 mV and a 600 mV range. Non-contact voltage alert + single probe voltage alert, low Z mode, backlight, 0,2% +3 digits. It's a nice little meter.http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm257/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm257s/#

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2016, 10:10:58 am
content: Quote from: cs.dk on January 24, 2016, 09:43:33 amI'd second that.There is a new slightly lower cost model out very shortly. I have a box of them on a truck somewhere...