Help a mechanical engineer select a multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: quixotix
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 03:06:29 pm
content: I suspect the "what multimeter should I get" question get's asked a lot, but I can't think of any good search words to find what I'm looking for. Thus I'm hoping the ultimate search engine -- your brain -- can help me find a good result.Here is what I think is important to me in a multimeter, but feel free to comment on what is really important for me to consider:Note that I will consider used as well as new units.Reliable - I want a multimeter that I know I can trust. If it turns on, I want to know it is working correctly.Rugged - It should easily survive a one meter drop and similar physical abuse. It does not need to be waterproof.Functions - I'd like to have a capacitor test function. Temperature would be nice but it's not required. Frequency reading? I might find somewhere to use this, but I probably wont.Accuracy - I can't imagine why I would need better than 1% accuracy, so just about any meter should be OK here.Range - What the hell is a pico or nano, and why would I ever need them.I doubt I need ranges at the low end, but an amp range over 10 amps would be very useful.That's all I can think of. But here is a bit about how I will use it:Mostly I will use it on things like automotive electrical (not electronic) circuits. However, I'm trying to branch out. I'm currently trying to troubleshoot a 1990's era circuit board from a piece of exercise equipment. I'm not really sure what features in a multimeter might help me with this. A final note, I'm also considering an inexpensive scopemeter, but from what I've read this isn't a replacement for a multimeter.Thanks for your help.

author: rickv14623
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 03:19:34 pm
content: Greetings,Have you tried this:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/

author: quixotix
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 03:31:07 pm
content: I looked at the multimeter spreadsheet. It's great for the technical details, but I think my requirements for functions and ranges are rather basic. Rugged and reliable are probably more important to me, and a spreadsheet can't really address this.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 03:40:27 pm
content: I don't think you're going to find a handheld that will go over 10A - you'd probably need an external shunt for that.What's your budget for the meter? That's important. As for ruggedness & reliability, you wouldn't go wrong with a Fluke, but they can be $$.-Pat

author: GNU_Ninja
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 03:50:24 pm
content: Fluke 115 ...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fluke-115-Multimeter/dp/B0011D6O0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447429710&sr=8-1&keywords=fluke+multimeter

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 04:01:30 pm
content: Few are as rugged as a Fluke 25 or 27. They don't have capacitance measurements but meet the rest of your requirements.

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 04:06:19 pm
content: I like my Fluke 87 but for any site jobs I have a Brymen 257 which is rugged, accurate, decent features and well worth the money.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 05:21:28 pm
content: I think many people here could recommend the Brymen BM257S as a great all round and handy meter. it will take quite a bit of abuse too. If you want to measure more than 20A then you would be better off with a clamp meter to go along with the regular multimeter. Something like the Uni-T UT210E or UT211B would be useful.You haven't mentioned a budget....

author: quixotix
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 05:53:41 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at the Fluke 115, it's not as expensive as I was thinking. I've been seriously considering the Fluke 27. I hadn't noticed the Brymen 257 yet (I guess it was a bit too expensive for Dave's $100 shootout), but it looks like it might be a good choice for me.As for my price range, around $100 was what I was hoping for. I'd definitely go to $150 if I see something I really like. I probably wouldn't spend $200, but if someone could make a really good case for why I should I might.A couple more things I thought of: Input jack alert would be really good for me to have. And, power consumption when on is not an issue for me (it will average way less than an hour of on-time per month).

author: Tom45
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 06:00:37 pm
content: Your feature list pretty well matches the Fluke 12 that I carry around in my travel kit. I've had it since it first came out 12 years ago (it is now discontinued) and it has always just worked when I needed it. It has traveled a half million or so miles in airplane checked luggage with no problems.Current Fluke models that are similar to the 12 are the 11x series. The 116 or 117 would be my current choice if I had to replace the 12.See:http://www.tequipment.net/fluke/fluke-117-vs-116-vs-115-vs-114/for a summary table.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 06:12:20 pm
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on November 13, 2015, 03:40:27 pmThe Fluke 87 series are rated for short term 20A measurements, with the older models having a 15A fuse (which you can derive the period of overload from) most meters can be pushed beyond their limits with a small loss of accuracy.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 06:37:23 pm
content: Onsold quite a few of these to several customers:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Fluke-15B-F15B-Digital-Multimeter-Auto-Manual-Range-AC-DC-1000V-10A-40M-ohm-Capacitance-100uF/917544_1187715988.htmlNo warranty outside China though but never had any problems with them.It's my daily driver.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 07:57:34 pm
content: Quote from: quixotix on November 13, 2015, 03:06:29 pmFor high DC currents a DC clamp meter would be ideal. This is not a standard feature on ordinary meters, so expect to pay extra for this.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 08:51:23 pm
content: Quote from: Someone on November 13, 2015, 06:12:20 pmThe Brymen BM869S also has a 20A measurement capability for 30 seconds, but both the 87V and the BM869S are more that he wants to spend or need to.

author: Dielectric
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2015, 10:41:22 pm
content: Dude, if I were serious about automotive test, I'd want a remote display.This thing looks awsome, and the price reflects it:(fluke 233)http://en-us.fluke.com/products/digital-multimeters/fluke-233-digital-multimeter.htmlFor example, I've had many times where I want to have the meter probes somewhere deep in the engine bay, but need to go back and turn the key, etc, and still want to see what the voltage does.There are a couple of Bluetooth-enabled meters too, but the seem like only fair-to-middling quality and might not live well in a garage.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 12:15:08 am
content: If you had posted last month, I would've recommended the Sears special on the Greenlee (Brymen) DM-510A (BM257s): buy a $100 multimeter, get a $100 LCD TV for free! O0

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 02:18:59 am
content: Keysight have just released two new meters, both drop proof to 3m, IP67 watreproof, and long battery life.Worth considering.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 02:38:02 am
content: If the one Keysight is less than $150 on the street, that would be a killer, but I doubt it will be that low. In the thread about the new Keysight meters, the U1240C is supposed to be around $280 SRP. Maybe it would be as low as $220 on the street if this is true. The OP wants to stay below $150 unless there is a real compelling reason to go higher.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 03:20:14 am
content: A DC clamp is a great tool for high current, but crap as a general purpose meter.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 03:48:01 am
content: I would say shop around on ebay. A Fluke 27 (the 8025B is the same meter) would make for a great, durable pick. Fluke's touch hold feature is a great help when trying to take readings in hard to access locations. Turn on touch hold, look at what you are doing with the probes, touch what needs to be measured. When the meter beeps, removed the probes then look to see what the measurement was. Most non-Fluke meters lack this feature. Note the 11x series doesn't have it either. The only big drawback to the 27 is a slow continuity checker.There are some non-brand models that would also be worth a look. For instance, some of the Appa based meters are well built and go for a song on ebay.Here is one Appa based meter (Tektronix DMM916)http://www.ebay.com/itm/221939916191?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITIdeal is another one that is APPA based. These Fluke 87 looking meters are generally well made and with good safety features.Brymen based meters are also really good. Typically that is some Amprobe and most Greenlee metersRecently I was bidding on an Amprobe AM-120 that went for under $35 with shipping in the end. A down side to many of the Brymen-Amprobes is the lack of a protective boot. They should still handle a beating but the boots are really nice to have. Greenlee is basically the US seller of standard Brymen meters. I recently helped a friend get a DM-820A for around $60. That is the big Brymen, it's a lesser version of the Brymen 869 that most people suggest. The Greenlee 200A is a lesser version of the Brymen 257. When I say lesser, they look the same (other than color) but with fewer features.Here are a few sample auctionsAmprobe AM-130: This is a DEAL for a midlevel electronics meter and would probably work just fine around the cars if you aren't too hard on it.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amprobe-AM-130-TRMS-Tester-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-PC-Connection-Temp-/191734623999?cmd=ViewItem&hash=item2ca4462eff:g:UzYAAOSwBahVeJ3zGreenlee DM-200A - this is only a bit cheaper than Amazon. Very well built but it would be nice if it had temp.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Greenlee-DM-200A-Enhanced-Smart-Meter-Series-Digital-Multimeter-/381444652015?hash=item58cfdf7bef:g:A1wAAOSwA4dWJ6jKGreenlee DM820A - This is sold listing but it gives you an idea. I've seen more than a few of these go for around $50 in good conditionhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenlee-DM-820A-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-DMM-820-820A-DM-Fluke-Demo-Unit-/191730058625?hash=item2ca4008581:g:kysAAOSwlaxWN9dFFinally, I don't know who makes this Amprobe but Buy it now for under $20 shipped, it seems like a really good deal for a meter with temp measuring. Not sure who the OEM is for the thing.http://www.ebay.com/itm/301782990705?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITDisclaimer: I currently have a meter listed on ebay. It is not one of the ones listed above. I do not know any of the sellers so please use caution if you decide to purchase any of the listed meters.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 05:35:46 am
content: http://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/Clamp-Meters/Fluke-325-True-rms-Clamp-Meter.htm?PID=74609

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 09:19:18 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 14, 2015, 05:35:46 amUSD$270on Amazon, which is twice of quixotix's budget...

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2015, 11:32:14 am
content: EDIT: I am an Idiot, sorry. The Unigor 3n does not have Cap measuring, mistook it for my 6e.Now please don't beat me. But if you can forego the drop resistance and don't mind analog meters, I would suggest an Unigor 3n (_NOT_ a 6e !!!!).They are built like a Soviet T34 (not a T72), at a school where I learned, they were used for 25+ years by unqualified and even devious people without farting. This is due to their "magic relay", which protects the measuring system from a problem. If the measuring instrument is in an uncorrect state (too much current, etc), it goes clackata, and the device is physically disconnected (5mm spark gap).Current range is 10A, and no battery is needed for measuring current if I recall correctly.But, caveat emptor. a) its analog and b) these things HATE being dropped. They REALLY hate it.On ebay Austria or Germany, they can be had cheaply (like 30e) at times. If a seller is very stubborn re shipping to you, I can act as mule if needs be. The thing is so cheap that I trust you not to fook me over...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 09:40:42 pm
content: Quote from: crispy_tofu on November 14, 2015, 09:19:18 amYeah, I know, but if he wants a decent multimeter+DCcurrent clamp then he's probably going to go over budget anyway....and that thing just lookedperfectfor him. Plus it comes with a case and stuff.Spread the cost over 10-20 years and it's quite cheap really.