Multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 09:53:47 pm
content: is MASTECH MS8040 a good multimeter ..its only TRMS on AC?

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 10:27:40 pm
content: Until now no one has ever seen a really good Mastech multimeter.The MS8040 is the successor of the M9803R. And the M9803R has seen some medium popularity not because it is really good, but because it is maybe the cheapest bench multimeter on the market. The MS8040 usually doesn't have that price advantage, although it has better specs then the M9803R. But still, I would stay away from both meters.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 10:45:45 pm
content: I also have a very low opinion of Mastech.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 11:58:14 pm
content: hehe..thx for the advise

author: IvoS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 06:35:45 pm
content: I have Mastech MS2026R clamp on meter and it's really poor meter and I don't use it these days anymore. Autoranging is slow, continuity check is also slow. What's worst is that the plastic casing 2 halves have gap in the middle - poor design. I replaced it with Fluke 117, that is 10x better multi meter.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 08:05:11 pm
content: Another vote for avoiding Mastech if you can.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 08:36:08 pm
content: thx for the advise...is BK precision good? i know they make power supplys too

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 09:29:20 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 24, 2013, 08:36:08 pmIt would depend on the model IMHO.In the case of a DMM, the BK2709B is decent for the money (covered in Dave's $100 DMM Shootout video). Not perfect though (i.e. beeps a lot, and the backlight isn't that great), so check out the forum and other sites such as Amazon for reviews to see if it will work for you.If you can hold off, Dave's mentioned doing another one/others (some different price ranges) with some of the newer meters to have hit the market since then (didn't give any indication of when, so it could be awhile).Or if you can offer up what you're looking for and a budget, then members could make some recommendations. Just a thought.

author: Jon86
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 09:45:19 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 24, 2013, 09:29:20 pmDave's mentioned doing a lot of things, I wouldn't hold your breath

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 09:51:15 pm
content: lest say abou 100 euros. dont care if its like 10 or 20 euros more.. i need a good meter..

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 09:52:03 pm
content: Quote from: Jon86 on December 24, 2013, 09:45:19 pmWell, he started a thread asking what ranges we'd all be interested in, so I'm thinking positively, and believing it has a decent shot of happening.One day.... Now when that day will come, is anyone's guess.Dave, if you're reading this, no pressure. I understand being busy.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 09:52:54 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 24, 2013, 09:51:15 pmOK, that's a start.Now what features are you looking for/how are you going to use it?

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 03:02:20 am
content: Does it have to be brand new? Would you consider getting a used multimeter?With a bit of patience you can find great used multimeters on sites like eBay, meters that would otherwise cost 3-4 times as much if bought new.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 03:14:30 am
content: Quote from: christos on December 23, 2013, 09:53:47 pmYou mention True RMS; yes, this is related to measuring AC voltage/current only. Is this something that is important for you? If not, Dave did a review of the Fluke 27 (which I ended up picking up on EBay for ~75$+shipping). It's an older meter, but built like a tank and I would trust it with mains and other high energy circuits. It doesn't have a huge resolution, but I find it more than enough for the applications I'm working on. For very low power stuff, this meter may not be good enough for you.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 02:22:16 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 24, 2013, 09:52:54 pmmost for repair ..making my own circuits.. and other stuff... i need this to be more accurate...i need to measure(uA uV) dc mostpF- 2200 uF(if you find some that dosent have so much volume at farrads..ill buy a capacitor meter..no problem)Hz at 100 hzthese are the most i need ..other measurements i dont care(sorry for my bad english)

author: Frost
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 03:01:27 pm
content: What's with a UNI-T UT71B or UT71C both are near aroundthe 100Euro price range.And yes, both are True RMS Meters including AC+DC measurementhttp://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-ut71b.htmlhttp://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-ut71c.html

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 06:56:45 pm
content: Staying away from high energy circuits? Then this is a full featured meter in your price range.http://www.ebay.com/itm/ModeL-UNI-T-UT71C-Intelligent-Digital-Multimeters-UT-71C-/370868603313?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Meters&hash=item56597dc9b1Do you want a meter that will take a beating and be safer on high energy circuits?http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm257/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#or from iloveelectronics here on the forum when he has stock for $135 USD shipped to your door.or:http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm815a/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#Or the BK 2709B as mentioned would be a good meter in your price range.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 07:46:36 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 25, 2013, 02:22:16 pmLightagesandFrostmade excellent recommendations IMHO.Staying away from mains, the Uni-T UT71B or C models would do everything you've mentioned. Or go with either of the Brymen (BM257 or BM815) units if you want something that could also tackle higher voltages safely at some point down the road as well (better input protection). BK 2709B is still in the running as well.Check for reviews on the models listed to get a feel for their strong points and limitations (poor backlight, slow on certain functions/auto-ranging, ... sorts of things), and see which one will best fit you. Amazon, blogs/forums such as EEVBlog, and YouTube would be great places to look for these.Hope this helps, and good luck.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 07:53:30 pm
content: The 20,000 count 71B model is all you need really, unless you want extra accuracy and more space for internal logging. You could make an offer on this one in Germany and avoid import duties:http://www.ebay.de/itm/UT71B-UNI-T-20000Stellen-100kHz-TRMS-Multimeter-100Speicher-USB-Tasche-PinSonne-/141149521866?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item20dd2ac7ca

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2013, 08:45:12 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on December 25, 2013, 03:02:20 ami prefer a new

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2013, 08:47:36 pm
content: Quote from: idpromnut on December 25, 2013, 03:14:30 ami prefer to buy a new one so i know what to expect from it

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2013, 08:49:50 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 23, 2013, 10:45:45 pmthe problem in greece is that we only have mastech multimeters..i i want to buy a fluke or a bk ,i need to buy it from ebay or other sites..we still have some sites that sells good multimeters like the two i mention before but they are too expensive

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2013, 09:38:54 pm
content: Well I gave you the other purchase options. I am sorry I can't be any more help.

author: Frost
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2013, 10:27:12 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 26, 2013, 08:49:50 pmGreece is a part of europe, so I can't see a problem.Reichelt for example, offers at their greek WebStoremultimeters from Fluke, UNI-T, Benning, Amprobeand PeakTechBeha-Amprobe belongs to the Fluke Corporationbut their multimeters are more on the lower end,compared with the mother company FlukeSo Amprobe multimeters are a little bit cheaperthen the Fluke ones.http://www.reichelt.com/Digital-Multimeters/AMPROBE-33XR-A/3/index.html?&ACTION=3&LA=2&ARTICLE=42339&GROUPID=4058&artnr=AMPROBE+33XR-ABut a new Fluke meter around 100Euro, forget it.In this low end range you get from e.g. UNI-T a lot moremultimeter for your money.http://www.reichelt.com/Digital-Multimeters/UT-71B/3//index.html?ACTION=3&GROUPID=4058&ARTICLE=111325&SHOW=1&OFFSET=16&&SID=11Uriodn8AAAIAAHhLdwMc6c501b2305705cba9d8b4655ae32d5f&CTYPE=0&MWSTFREE=0

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:10:12 pm
content: sorry about the dealy of reading your ideas..i cound find the next page

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:15:16 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 25, 2013, 07:46:36 pmthx alot..im thinking about the bk ,,but it doesnt have a BW that fits me on the measurements of the caps..66uF only max or am i wrong?

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:18:08 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on December 25, 2013, 07:53:30 pmthat one is good..thx for the help..ill wait for some respawns of others so i can compare the multimeters and find the one that fits me good

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:22:54 pm
content: Quote from: Frost on December 26, 2013, 10:27:12 pmhehe...at least..is UNIT UT71B a good multimeter? im thinking alot for that one

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:24:36 pm
content: when they say (1%+30) accuracy does the number 30 means 30 digits?

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:28:49 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 27, 2013, 09:24:36 pmyes.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:41:46 pm
content: im a bit cconfused with the UNIT multimeters..witch one is the best for me..dont care for the money..theUNI-T UT71C , UNI-T UT71D , UNI-T UT71B???

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:00:39 pm
content: The 71D is the best of the range: 40,000 count and 10,000 internal memory logging values.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:15:19 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 27, 2013, 09:15:16 pmSpec states 66mF = 6600uF, which will do what you're asking in the Capacitance range.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:27:44 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 27, 2013, 09:41:46 pmYes as Wytnucls said, the UT71D is the best of the UT71 series, but is it the best multimeter you can buy for the money? If you are staying out the wall sockets and high energy circuits it is a good buy. If you want a safe meter for all uses and not just bench electronics then consider the other ones I mentioned.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:34:49 pm
content: Considering the amount of electronics knowledge you seem to have (very little based on your comments on this forum so far), I think it would be better to go for a cheaper multimeter instead of spending all that money on a more expensive multimeter.An Uni-T UT61E is good and cheap at around $60 and you can easily order it from eBay (from ilovelectronics here on this forum or someone else) and should be more than enough for your needs (you shouldn't even work with mains voltage so UT61E somewhat lacking in high voltage protections is not an issue).Use the rest of the money you're left with to buy some other things you may need... a good soldering station for example, or a kit with resistors capacitors and common chips if you like to make experiments or learn something.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:40:22 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on December 27, 2013, 10:00:39 pm

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:42:07 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 27, 2013, 10:27:44 pmim thinking to use the new multimeter for the bench only..i got some 40 euros multimeters for that job

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:57:43 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on December 27, 2013, 10:34:49 pmits just cuz i dont know much english..when i was 15- 18 years old..in my elecronic class,, the teachers was nothing compare to me..the kit with some res and other thing are not for me anymore...

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 10:58:45 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 27, 2013, 10:42:07 pmI would sincerely like to see a 40 euro multimeter that is truly safe for CATIII/600V! Well there are a couple but not many.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 11:00:33 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 27, 2013, 10:15:19 pmi thought it was only 66uF..sorry about that

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 11:51:59 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 27, 2013, 11:00:33 pmNo problem.For me, there's some confusion as to the 40EUR meter you've mentioned, specifically if it's for low voltage measurements, or for high voltage (i.e. AC mains) measurements.In the case of a 40EUR meter and AC mains, I'd have a hard time believing it's safe for this type of use without proof that the internals have sufficient protections in place (teardowns are great for this). Such circuits would use things like proper High Rupture Capacity (HRC) fuses, MOV's, PTC's, Gas Discharge Tubes based circuits, and mechanical techniques such as cut-outs/routed cuts to prevent arc-over, and blast shields (does what the name implies; helps keep the meter from blowing your hand off if something bursts/explodes inside).But doing so adds costs to the point it would be extremely unlikely a manufacturer could make a profit with such a low MSRP. Better meters include such circuits & mechanical tricks, but also have higher prices to account for the extra protections put in place.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 12:01:34 am
content: max 230 ac..sometimes when cars comes at me to fix them and other things..i wont use it at 1000volts ..

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 12:05:40 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 27, 2013, 10:58:45 pmDont worry....im not gona use it on 600 volts..max at 230 ..fix a light switch, measure a car battery ,,i saw the vid that dave posted(dont know where..i think in a vid of his) with a multimeter being overloaded....

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 12:15:12 am
content: Quote from: christos on December 28, 2013, 12:01:34 amI'd suggest opening it up, and seeing what it has going on internally, as it could well only be using 250V glass fuses, and not much, if anything else. At 230VAC, there's not much margin if that's that case, and a voltage spike could blow it.To give you an idea of what we're on about, take a look atthis threadstarted byLightages.The make and model number could help as well, as there may already be a teardown of it that posted pics of the internals.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 11:55:21 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 28, 2013, 12:15:12 amits the Mastech MS8260E ..its a good multimeter but ITS TOOO SLOW..and sometimes its freezes ..i dont know if i can make a teardown and show you some pics..ill try..im now in holidays..when i come back..ill teardown it

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 04:09:55 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 28, 2013, 11:55:21 amMastech doesn't have a wonderful reputation with DMM's at all.One thing I did notice, if you look at the current jacks on the front, you'll notice 250V (= fuse voltage rating). I wouldn't recommend you go poking around mains with it.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 08:20:32 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 28, 2013, 04:09:55 pmi use this as voltmeter..i never used this at current..im not afraid on this multimeter at 250 volts..i have another Very BIG Voltmeter but its an analog..school gave me that for reward...its like 20cmx20cm

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 08:43:07 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 27, 2013, 10:15:19 pmSeriously?1m = 1000µ66mF = 66000µF

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 08:58:02 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on December 28, 2013, 08:43:07 pmthats not the problem now..i know its 66mF

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 10:00:48 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on December 28, 2013, 08:43:07 pmYes, I missed a zero.Probably should have written it as "multiplymby 1k to get the uF value" to avoid such a stupid mistake.But at least he got the basic point, thatmwasn't used to represent micro (u).

author: mrkev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 10:27:42 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 23, 2013, 10:45:45 pmI have m3900, i bought it for about 12$ and it's an great meter for that crazy price

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 11:35:15 pm
content: forgot to mention that my fathers friend have a Keithley Model 2000 . he told me he bought it for 1300EUR and gave it to me free....the problem with that is I DONT KNOW HOW IT WORKS..ok it have many buttons and in the manual it says that it only reads AC DC Volts(TRMS) Current,Ohm and many other things..its a nice bench Digital multimeter and it sits under my bench cuz i dont know how it worksif anyone have the same multimeter..tell me how it works exept the volts,current and ohms..i know how they work .thx

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 11:39:48 pm
content: Are you seriously that much of a moron that you can't think of using Google to find a manual ?Here, let me help you:https://www.google.com/search?q=Keithley+2000+user+manualFirst four results are links to the pdf with the manual.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2013, 11:42:16 pm
content: Quote from: christos on December 28, 2013, 11:35:15 pmit'd take someone pages to explain it. you really should read the manual, it's hundreds of pages long.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 12:06:40 am
content: Quote from: Fsck on December 28, 2013, 11:42:16 pmi wont use it. i just need a normal multimeter..this multimeter is like a scientific calculator(hp 15c) the one i got..took me days to learn it

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 12:14:39 am
content: Well, how nice of you to have a tool other people dream of having and not use it because you're too lazy to learn how to use it... Like having a Ferrari in the garage and sticking to a Ford because you don't want to learn to use a manual gearbox.What a disgusting attitude...

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 12:19:05 am
content: Just sell it and use the money to buy a decent Fluke or Agilent handheld DMM and keep the rest of the cash. Beats the hell out of keeping it under your bench.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 12:22:33 am
content: I'll be glad to swap you a UT61E for a Keithley 2000...

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 12:49:20 am
content: Actually I will up your bid! I will send a UT71E instead of a UT61E and a Digitek DT2843R and will pay for shipping for everything both ways for the Keithley 2000!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:18:43 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 29, 2013, 12:49:20 amConsidering the Keithly isn't being used by the OP (nor getting the sense this will change), this is actually a good deal IMHO.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:27:56 am
content: Heck, I'd trade you an Agilent U1232A and a UT61E.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:35:53 am
content: Quote from: mariush on December 29, 2013, 12:14:39 amsorry about that .is it really that good?

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:40:13 am
content: wow..i didnt know ot was THAT good..you are making me to think to use it..at least..can someone tell me for what jobs its for?my dads friend was working somrthing with Communications and Networking..hes house is full of anntenas

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:46:06 am
content: Quote from: mariush on December 28, 2013, 11:39:48 pmits not that..im to lazy to read it..it has a manual to..

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:56:49 am
content: i made all of you think that im like a moron to not use it..the problem is that i can only use that for volts,current and ohm..i dont use it becuse i dont have so much skills that the multimeter poseses..its like my dad buys me a car and i dont even have a driving license..im just 20 years old..im a student at a Technical Vocational Institute in Thessaloniki(TEI called in greece)..im not in hurry..i wont sell it or throuw it..it may get handy some day..sorry about that

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 01:59:52 am
content: at least..can someone recomend me some multimeters aroud 100 EUR -+ 30got in mind theUNI-T UT71B or DBK Precision 2709BDave showd some multimeters around 100 dollars but i think theres more around the amount of Eur i want to spend

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 02:02:34 am
content: Get off your arse and read the manual of the amazing bench meter you have and few of us can afford. You don't need a cheapo handheld multimeter.

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 02:05:27 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 29, 2013, 02:02:34 amits 300++ pages i think

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 02:06:17 am
content: Quote from: christos on December 29, 2013, 02:05:27 amStop making excuses. 300 pages is an afternoon's reading.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 02:09:09 am
content: Quote from: christos on December 29, 2013, 01:59:52 amGo back and take another look at the Brymen's that were recommended IMHO, such as theBM257.Second, $100USD is less than 100EUR (1EUR is ~= 1.3744USD).

author: christos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2013, 02:14:29 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on December 29, 2013, 02:06:17 amLOL ..ill try it slowly