Has anyone tried UNI-T's new 17B Pro meter? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 07:01:04 am
content: Saw this meter for sale and wonder if anyone has used it and have opinions on it?From the product page on their Taobao website, here's a few things that they claim:- The meter can withstand 8kv transient voltage- 1 meter drop- rotation switch is guaranteed to still smoothly operate after 30,000 cyclesAlso from the PCB image, it has two big-as Bussmann fuses and various input protection components from other good brand meters. The board looks pretty clean too.The thing I don't see though, is independent safety certification. I'm curious if all the claims are true.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 07:17:42 am
content: Ugh... close, but no cigar...Look where the current shunt is, no way that's good enough clearance for 8kV.Don't get me wrong I like my UT139C, but if I need to measure anything dangerous, I'll reach for my Fluke 87V every time.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 07:25:33 am
content: I used to have a 139C as well, but I gave it to my dad. This thing functionality wise looks like a direct upgrade to the 139C.The price is $90 AUD, I'm so tempted to get it to play around lol. God help me.

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 07:45:48 am
content: I think it is fake.No mention of 17 series on the Uni-trend web site.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 08:16:19 am
content: Quote from: MosherIV on June 26, 2020, 07:45:48 amAre you sure?https://www.uni-trend.com.cn/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=show&catid=438&id=786

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 08:52:15 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 26, 2020, 07:17:42 amI think the cutouts and spaceings are on the other end of the fuse, where the input is.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 08:54:50 am
content: Quote from: Corner on June 26, 2020, 07:01:04 amIf your life depends on it being true then don't trust it. Get something with a genuine certification.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 08:56:32 am
content: Quote from: Corner on June 26, 2020, 08:16:19 amReally? A 15B and a 17B? I wonder which brand they're trying to grab karma from?

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 09:58:21 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 08:52:15 amSo you only get separation if the current is high enough to blow the fuse.Great design!/sarcasm

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 10:32:12 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 26, 2020, 09:58:21 amLOL. Step back......What is the voltage over shunt and fuse when fuse is not blown?8kV? Or 100-300mV ?8 kV limit applies to voltage mode only.Current mode has spec of how much kV it can withstand for 1 minwhenfuse is blown, and that is usually 1 kV (or max voltage in voltage mode)...Critical spec for current mode is max breaking current and fact whether it will, in fact, extinguish the plasma and break current as opposed to having a breakdown and having arc discharge accident.Specifications are quite complicated and there are many caveats when reading what is what..

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 10:34:22 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 26, 2020, 09:58:21 amOhms law says that if the voltage is high enough to jump the gap, the current will be high enough to blow the fuse.Plus: Voltages usually only jump around when there's a high impedance in their way, which a fuse isn't.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 10:40:23 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 08:56:32 amReading about them on some Chinese forums, looks like they made these to directly go against Fluke 15B and 17B. Hahah! These two meters have just been released in China. It's probably going to take a little while for them to come overseas.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 10:53:50 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 10:34:22 amThat would imply that a piezo ignitor could supply enough current to blow a 10A fuse.I suspect that would not be the case.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 10:59:23 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 26, 2020, 10:53:50 amNo, that would imply that piezo igniter connected to current input will achieve 300mV peak voltage....Because it doesn't have energy to create enough current...

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 11:18:40 am
content: So as long as the leads are inserted in the correct sockets, you're fine.What am I missing here?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 11:28:42 am
content: SomeUni-T meters have proper UL certification, but a lot (most?) don't. Seems pot luck.But if they are competing against the Fluke then UL certification would be an absolute requirement, otherwise they are dead out of the blocks.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 11:31:23 am
content: For sale on ebay:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/UNI-T-UT15B-PRO-17B-PRO-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-Substitute-Fluke-15B-17B/303588597896?hash=item46af4a6088:g:pwMAAOSwhBpe2xUD&var=602818694809

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 12:40:11 pm
content: Quote from: Corner on June 26, 2020, 10:40:23 amThey're not the only ones, Zoyi also does a 15B+ and 17B+eg.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33007708093.htmlSome sellers put "17B+" in all their items just to trap people, eg.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32844347527.html

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 12:48:24 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 26, 2020, 11:31:23 am"Substitute Fluke 15B+/17B+"My rule of thumb is:Never buy a multimeter with "Pro" in the name.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 01:28:03 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 12:40:11 pmThese meters are aiming at tricking people though, they are crappy cheapies that wanna use these labels to trick people. Those new Uni-T meters seem to be of a lot higher quality.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 02:09:22 pm
content: Quote from: Corner on June 26, 2020, 01:28:03 pmYou'd hope so for $95."rotation switch is guaranteed to still smoothly operate after 30,000 cycles"LOL! Somebody's been reading EEVBLOG.(A real Fluke will laugh at that though)

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 02:44:19 pm
content: The meter seems quite decently built and the air gap around the shunt looks alright - at a typical 3kV/mm for dry air, it doesn't really looks there is a problem. Obviously I don't have one and can't be absolutely certain.Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 08:54:50 amThe lack of independent verification (which UT139 has) is surely a turnoff, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Reputable brands such as Yokogawa, Sanwa and Hioki do in-house certification but they have a good reputation and track record of pushing out decent gear (a bit less on Yokogawa, but still). Uni-T has goofed up so many times in the past that they have a very long road ahead to boast any quality claims for in-house testing. There's also that pesky loophole the cert agency will only test whatever you ask them to, and that could easily be circumvented (among other potential loopholes)Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 02:09:22 pmThat or joeqsmith's videos.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 12:07:25 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 26, 2020, 02:09:22 pmWell at least it's similarly priced as the 15B and 17B. I've actually ordered it just to check it out. If I end up wasting 90 bucks, so be it

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 12:19:42 am
content: Quote from: Corner on June 27, 2020, 12:07:25 amI don't know about the 15B or 17B, but the quality of the 101 for me was very flaky. The first (2017 date code) had issues with the display. The second (2016 date code) did not, but both had oxidized pads on the PCB vias and pads, including the ones leading to the LCD.This may be due to improper storage, but it was coming from two different sellers from very different locations.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 12:23:58 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on June 27, 2020, 12:19:42 amMy 101 was acquired a couple of years ago. It's been sitting in my potable toolbox and gotten pushed around in a sea of pliers, screwdrivers and other crap. Other than scratched screen, it's given me no trouble. I haven't opened up the little thing though.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 12:40:15 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on June 26, 2020, 02:44:19 pmYes, Uni-T have the reputation of being "hit and miss", at least to those who follow the industry. Those in the know are going to buy a Fluke or Brymen or one of the Japanese brands in those instances if it's guaranteed safety and design and build quality you are after.Many people don't know nor care though, they just look at price and some marketing blurb on an ebay listing.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2020, 01:30:54 am
content: I have some Uni-T meters. The cheap ones serve the cheap use. Keep them away from things that need safety. The UT139C and the UT17X series are the only I have that I would recommend for general around the house electrical work. Everything else Uni-T that I have seen should be kept to batteries and CATI use unless proven to be safe otherwise. Having said that the clamp meters should be safe for any clamp use but be wary of using the probes over CATII.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2020, 05:43:23 am
content: A video review of the UNI-T 15B PRO:https://youtu.be/a6ZJFw5WoUoTear-down begins at around 14:30.