Choosing a uni-t multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: EdvinJu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 12:18:22 pm
content: Hello,Can you help me. I can't decide which multimeter should I buy ut195m vs ut161e vs ut18b max? I work at substations with relay protection, where the voltage is not higher than 1000 V, and for various household tasks.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 01:08:38 pm
content: None of those. You need CAT 4 rated multimeter, reliable, tested in the EU or in the USA.Your life is not worth saving a few hundred EUR. Get your employer to buy you a proper meter.Fluke, Gossen... Maybe Keysight or Hioki. If they don't, just keep in mind that your life is disposable in the mind of your employer.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 02:12:22 pm
content: fluke 87v is a cat 4 certified one up to 600v, and yes your company has to buy you the meterfluke 287 289 ?the problems is : many meters drop in Cat xx beyond 300v ??

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 02:59:04 pm
content: I hope this is a troll...

author: skander36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:01:42 pm
content: Quote from: EdvinJu on August 19, 2024, 12:18:22 pmWith ut195m you are at 30 euro away from Brymen 867 which is a no-brainer choose ...

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:12:32 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on August 19, 2024, 02:12:22 pm287, 289 have same CAT rating as 87V. 1000V is high voltage and is on the limit of these Fluke meters. So I think a high voltage probe would be needed.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:16:44 pm
content: Quote from: EdvinJu on August 19, 2024, 12:18:22 pmThere may be a translation or understanding issue here. Could you explain exactly what a "substation with relay protection" is?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:17:13 pm
content: Quote from: skander36 on August 19, 2024, 03:01:42 pmIs even that level of meter necessary? Brymen makes many meters for under 100 Euros.eg.https://brymen.eu/shop/bm2807-cse/

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:25:42 pm
content: Quote from: skander36 on August 19, 2024, 03:01:42 pmVery good point on that. Just checking, is it tested by third parties?Quote from: Fungus on August 19, 2024, 03:17:13 pmBecause the 867 is CAT IV 1000V and this isn't.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:32:49 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on August 19, 2024, 01:08:38 pmI couldn't agree more. Get a meter from a reputable brand. At least your family can sue a company with a real office in case you die because of a faulty meter. IMHO Fluke, Gossen, Keysight or Hioki are good, reputable brands. I bought a Keysight DMM specifically to use on mains to make sure I have a meter which is safe. When I bought it, the Keysight DMMs offered more value for money compared to Fluke.

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:40:25 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on August 19, 2024, 03:16:44 pmA mains utility switching and distribution site. "Relay protection" refers to the systems used therein to trip high voltage / high current circuit breakers in the distribution path automatically, in the event of a fault being detected e.g overload, phase to ground short etc.That is to say, as others have said, it's not a place to be bringing toy instruments to work.

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:42:56 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on August 19, 2024, 03:17:13 pmI am not a fun of those web sites that looks like the manufacturer's one and are more expensive than an authorized distributor ...Anyway Brymen BM2807 CSE is rated 600V only; BM867s is what could satisfy the OP that speak about 1000V.But really the emplyer should provide what the employee need to carry on the duties.

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 03:53:28 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on August 19, 2024, 03:25:42 pmBM869s is for sure "UL Listed", not sure about BM867s anyway Brymen is a very reputable company.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 04:14:19 pm
content: Quote from: NE666 on August 19, 2024, 03:40:25 pmI know what it means generally, but I'm thinking the OP might mean something else. Electrical substations usually have a lot more than 1000V in at least part of their wiring. Here in the US they typically don't have any low voltage at all except for perhaps control systems.

author: skander36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 04:18:29 pm
content: Quote from: Furna on August 19, 2024, 03:53:28 pmBoth meters are on the same platform and certifications. The 869s has some features extra.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 04:28:39 pm
content: I can't tell which country the OP is by looking at the flag. However, I feel with that kind of work the employer should issue the proper meter to the worker.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 04:30:46 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on August 19, 2024, 04:28:39 pmIf you hover your mouse cursor over the flag icon the country or region name shows up.

author: Furna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 04:32:03 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on August 19, 2024, 04:28:39 pmDon't stop at looking at it ... go over it with the mouse