Commercial Electric & Southwire DMM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 10:05:02 pm
content: HelloI’m a bit new to electronics and multimeters. However, I just picked up a Commercial Electric (Mastech) MS8301B Auto-ranging Meter, and was given a Southwire 10040N autoranging meter. Is one better than the other, are they equal? What is popular consensus on the equivalent in the Entech brand?Thank youRuss

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 11:35:50 pm
content: Mastech is a junk brand IMHO. Mastech has bad construction and bad design. CEM seems to be re-branded for Southwire. I also consider CEM to be a junk brand. CEM makes meters for Extech, Southwire etc... Their quality control is horrible and you never know what you will get. I would suggest that you use the meters you have with care and keep them to the use of low energy electronics.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 01:12:17 am
content: Both the meters listed are prime candidates for newbies blowing the mA fuse because it shares the same input jack as V/ohm.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 03:57:58 am
content: Thanks for the replies. What do you recommend for a DMM in the not too expensive range as I learn more about electronics? A lower end Fluke?ThanksRuss

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 04:06:47 am
content: Quote from: Russ on November 08, 2017, 03:57:58 amActually for learning and electronics both the meters you have are probably fine. Try to avoid the temptation to measure mains voltages with them, never leave the red probe in the Amps socket, and always remove the probes from the device under test before turning the range selector, and both meters should survive.I would recommend you to use both meters and get a feel for how they work before you rush out and buy another one. Find out what you like and don't like about them, and see what features you miss. That will help you to make a better choice when you do eventually feel the need to buy a more expensive meter.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 04:17:05 am
content: I agree with IanB. You already have them and if they are working there is no reason to not use them. Like I said, just use them for low energy electronics.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 05:08:19 am
content: Thanks for the replies? At the moment, it is for low level electronics. Once I get more serious and need a better meter, what do you all recommend?ThanksRuss

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 06:58:55 am
content: The Southwire I have looked inside looked fairly well made, they do also have a UL certifications.Mastech is a fairly cheap brand and do not bother with much input protection (I have looked inside two meters), but for use with low voltage they work fine.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 03:32:18 pm
content: Thank you. I looked at the Eevblog rebranded Brymen. It looks pretty nice. Any opinions on it?Thank youRuss

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 06:00:50 pm
content: Quote from: Russ on November 08, 2017, 03:32:18 pmIt's a fine meter.However, be aware that it easy for purchases to become toys rather than tools, especially if you end up buying more and better multimeters because you think the previous ones aren't good enough. This is fine if you have unlimited money to spend, but it isn't something you need to do.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 06:09:14 pm
content: Quote from: Russ on November 08, 2017, 03:32:18 pmNice and safe meter. For people that are use to other meters it has one quirk, the mode selected by SELECT is remembered.It is also important to replace the battery when the meter shows battery low, it will show a wrong values, before it turns off due to empty battery.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 07:17:26 pm
content: I have made a index of my reviewed multimeters, making et easier to compare the DMM'shttp://www.lygte-info.dk/info/DMMReviews.htmlA Southwire (16040T), Brymen 235 and some Mastech (MS8229, MS8268) will be added to it later on, together with a lot of other DMM's.