Fluke backup meter advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: joerice01
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 03:24:42 am
content: Hi all,I'm starting a new job soon and want to get a second DMM to keep as a spare.I currently use a Fluke 179 as my main meter, but does fluke have a cheaper & smaller DMM with DC current measurement?This is a must as I work with process signals (4-20mA)Alternatively does Agilent or another respected brand have something that would suit my purpose?Thanks for your advice.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 04:12:05 am
content: Well there is the Fluke 17B. it does what yu want and costs around $110. It is made in China but it is built like a Fluke and performs well. A good alternative would be, IMHO, the Brymen BM257. Just do a search here and learn all about it.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 04:25:49 am
content: Quote from: joerice01 on October 11, 2014, 03:24:42 am...which is?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 04:30:37 am
content: A cheap alternative if you live in the US is the discontinued Fluke 112.Electrician's multimeter, but it does DC current and true RMS.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-112-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-/221565417679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339653f8cf

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 04:48:48 am
content: There is also the smaller Fluke 107.DC current, but no mA range either (1mA resolution).Maybe that's all you need as a spare DMM.Sells for about 85$.

author: joerice01
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 05:20:48 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 11, 2014, 04:25:49 am"cheaper & smaller DMM with DC current measurement?This is a must as I work with process signals (4-20mA) "

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 05:39:53 am
content: Quote from: joerice01 on October 11, 2014, 05:20:48 amI can buy a $10 multimeter that meetsthosespecs.(In fact the other day I bought a $4 multimeter that meets those specs, it measured a 200uA DC reference current perfectly... that's better than my Fluke 27FM, which measured it as 198uA)

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 05:54:08 am
content: Request was for Fluke, Agilent or otherrespected brandDMMs, suitable as back-up and cheaper than 179.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 06:25:35 am
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on October 11, 2014, 05:54:08 amSeems ridiculous if all you need is something to measure mA.

author: joerice01
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 07:34:42 am
content: Yes I know. I will also need to measure Volts and ohms but I am finding a lot if the cheaper DMMs will be missing a mA range.And I know I can get a dirt cheap unit, but as I work on site it wouldn't be good if I pulled a sub $20 meter out in front of a client.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 08:10:09 am
content: Quote from: joerice01 on October 11, 2014, 07:34:42 amOK, that's more of a "specification"...I'd get a Fluke 17B - looks like a more expensive Fluke, costs about $100.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2014, 11:04:33 am
content: Quote from: joerice01 on October 11, 2014, 07:34:42 amMy $4 multimeter has a uA range. And a transistor tester.I should do a video teardown of it....

author: ndzied1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2014, 12:00:26 am
content: I'm guessing if you are measuring process signals you are in some sort of factory or plant environment. If so it's very likely that you will sometimes have to measure the mains voltage and I wouldn't trust my life to a $4 meter period.

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2014, 10:29:05 am
content: Less expensive than Fluke, with 4-20mA testing?Amprobe has the 38XR, and Uni-T has the 71 series. I am a hobbyist, for field and industrial work I have been told "only Fluke"As a hobbyist, I just want to find a reason to build a 4-20mA loop circuit to experiment with..

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2014, 10:37:52 am
content: If you're in the UK, or western EU then I've got a few ex RAF Fluke 25 available. Rugged, good mA and uA capabilities.There's usually plenty of these, or the Fluke 27 available if all you want is a basic accurate meter.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2014, 10:57:57 am
content: You could also take a look at theU123xA seriesfrom Agilent, which in the US sells new for about $100 for the simpler model (1231A) and $170 for the more featured one (1233A).