"Safer"cheap multimeter with led inputs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 01:03:50 pm
content: Hey im looking for a cheap multimeter like Mastech ms8228/8229 with the led indicators on the inputs :-)As the Mastechs dont have the best safety rating, as i'm looking for something else in the same price range with this nice led feature :-)Uni-t 139c would have been perfect but I doesn't seem to have this led feature.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 01:23:27 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on December 08, 2016, 01:15:07 pmYes there is LED's around the inputs that lights up to show where to plug your probes in, and the correct one will blink if uou connet the wrong.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 03:19:45 pm
content: Sounds like a waste of battery...

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 03:23:19 pm
content: Here in the US Harbor Freight has this feature on their "high end" meter. I haven't opened it up to check safety, but then I don't stick it into mains sockets either.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 06:53:01 pm
content: I have that same HF Mastech meter for my main out side disposable. I've had it a few years and like it. But it never sees any high voltage, high energy use. Just some drop testing and temperature cycling.It was one of the very first meters I had ran tests on. Back then I was still trying to figure out just how low of a transient was needed before the meters would survive. I never reran this meter but doubt it would do very well. None of the Mastechs I have looked at were protected very well. But they have survived my grill starter testing which is more than I can say for the majority of UNI-T's I have looked at.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzQ57h2vGV0&feature=youtu.be

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 07:55:25 pm
content: Hmmm.Its Hard to decide which <$50 multilmeter its gonna be.It will only be for home/hobby use. But i could imagine that it would be used to check a wall socket/lamp socket from time to time so i guss i would need cat III.Would The uni-t 139c or ms8229 be ok for that?

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 08:44:40 pm
content: We have 230v and 10-16amps plugs here in Danmark for a normal huse panel.Any suggestions for a nice multilmeter below $50?

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 08:56:53 pm
content: Having a outlet too close to the power panel can be a problem: I have seen the damage from a short that happened do to a failing light bulb - it blew 3 fuses (16 A - 35 A and 100 A) and the cabling looked brown from the outside too. Not sure one of the normal HRC fuses would have been good enough.Normal outlets are not that bad. By definition class II would apply. But it has to be really Class II, not just the Chinese Class III.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 09:10:49 pm
content: I would recommend an Amprobe AM-510 or a Uni-T UT139C.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 09:19:40 pm
content: I will have a look at The amprobe.Im also looking at this little nice one.http://www.elma-instruments.com/_gb/Products/Lists;130070/Electric/Multimeters/p/5706445410224?shop.product.id=5706445410224It has The EU CAT II and cat III CERT.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 09:30:44 pm
content: That Elma is a rebranded Brymen!

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 09:38:12 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 08, 2016, 09:30:44 pmIs that a good or bad thing? And what brymen model dos it compare to?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 09:43:50 pm
content: It is a good thing!. Look at my signature. It is a Brymen BM25.I would not personally recommend a pocket meter such as this for your primary multimeter. You would be better off with the AM510 or UT139C we have mentioned.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 10:04:17 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on December 08, 2016, 09:43:50 pmI was reading from my tablet at couldn't see your signature sorry ;-)Why would a pocket meter not be good enough? AM510 is around 75$ here in Denmark (even if I try to get it home from ebay)Bm22-27 seems to fit my needs, but i'm not sure which one would fit best.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 10:53:15 pm
content: I guss pcoket multimeters cant easily have there fuse changed right?so the choice is between Am-probe AM-510 (63€) or Uni-t 139c (33€)How are they compared featurewise?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 11:21:17 pm
content: The Brymen pocket meters have no useful current measurement function. The leads are also short and inconvenient to use every day.The UT139C is a better buy IMHO as it has TRMS.

author: Paul Moir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2016, 12:40:19 am
content: Keep an eyeball out for the Colluck HH0308C which is rated CAT II/750VAC & UL listed. It's rebadged into a few different forms. For example:https://www.circuitspecialists.com/digital-multimeter-csi2205d.htmlWrong one, older version.Canuck thread on the Canadian Tire version:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/canadian-tire-mastercraft-dmm-new-and-old-revThe fuses are a bit doubtful, but the LEDs mean you never blow a fuse anyway, thereby removing the danger.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2016, 01:23:13 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on December 08, 2016, 08:07:42 pmCat II 300V is a 2500V surge with a 12 ohm source. Some of the very early testing I did used a 49 ohm source. Back then I was measuring the time of the decay to zero rather than the FWHH like I do now. And again, even if that's not weak enough, I had less than a Joule. Three meters failed at 2KV. The HF meter was not ran until I had switched to always using a 2 ohm source but again, sub 1J and it failed. Basically it looks like most of the meters I tested early on would not have survived a CAT II 300V transient.https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cXzYpIoyVm9QJUju4KXqM22CEQZP3_xwWvDyeVwxTy4/edit?usp=sharingAnyway, OP sorry but I would have no idea what you need a meter for. I assume from you asking about the 8229 that you do not need TRMS. If you are going to be sticking things in wall sockets, I would forget that meter. Like I said, I use that meter a fair amount and it's taken some abuse. But I don't need anything all that great in the shop and I don't play with line voltage with it.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2016, 08:41:37 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 09, 2016, 01:23:13 amI would need it for playing around with:small bords like andorino/omegaTest of wall sockets are okAA/AAA battery testsMärklin model train debugging/troubleshooting

author: umkumiut
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2016, 11:59:16 am
content: You also might consider BM233 from Brymen. It has similar capabilities (no temp measurement, PC connection and bargraph) like the BM257 (EEVBlog multimeter) for about 2/3 of the price. It has proper CAT rating, true RMS converter, microAmp range, HRC fuses, beeps when you connect the probes in the Amp jack but it is set for voltage, etc.Datasheet:http://brymen.eu/wp-content/uploads/biall/102137/102137.KARTA_EN..2016-05-10.1.pdfTME has some stock for 62€ (+VAT) Link:http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm233/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2016, 07:19:30 pm
content: Hmm so i can get Brymen BM233 and Amprobe am-510-eurFor allmost same price. But which one is best?

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 10, 2016, 11:28:18 am
content: Quote from: umkumiut on December 09, 2016, 11:59:16 amJust a little note. The EEVBlog meter is the BM235..@baastrup - I can highly recommend the Brymen meters, and I would choose them over the Amprobe.Until now I've got a BM27, BM235 (EEVBlog), BM257, BM869 and a BM089 - They are relative high quality meters for the price, if you ask me.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2016, 02:09:08 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on December 09, 2016, 10:28:48 amYour original comment was about the meters surviving CAT II 300V, which I provided what data I had. I can't comment about the frequency of failures on household devices from line transients throughout the world. I also can't comment if any of the IEC standards are over rated compared with real world. We can see from the meters I have looked at that are marked to meet these standards, while they may actually meet them many will not survive.I would never suggest the standards are under rated and that there is little to no risk using a device that is not certified to for the environment you are working in. It just doesn't serve the hobbyist community and the professionals would laugh at me.Quote from: cs.dk on December 10, 2016, 11:28:18 amAt least for the EEVBlog BM235 and BM869s, I agree. And while it may not matter to our above poster, these meters have been certified independently.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2016, 09:55:14 pm
content: What fluke model does bm233 and am510 compare to?

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2016, 10:26:33 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on December 10, 2016, 10:02:43 pmOh but they are not sold by fluke anymore? Can only find them on Ebay from China... but in same price level as am 510 and bm233Fluke from China are they safe to buy?

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2016, 10:51:05 am
content: Which one would you guys recommend if it should have temp. Feature as well?

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2016, 10:35:05 pm
content: Quoteso are they a better buy?they seem quite cheap on ebaythe Fluke 17b seems to have temp as well.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2016, 08:50:04 am
content: Quote from: cs.dk on December 10, 2016, 11:28:18 amWhy is they better than Amprobe?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2016, 12:10:53 am
content: Why they are better than the Amprobe is matter of opinion. The Amprobe AM-5X0 series offer some really good features for the price. They also have decent protection. As far as I know, the Amprobes all have proper third party certification for their CAT ratings.Some people might say that the Brymens are better built. Brymen is actually the ODM for the AM-270, AM-140, and AM-160 as examples.There are no Brymens in the same price point as some of the Amprobe AM-510 for example.I would buy either based on your needs and price.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2016, 09:06:31 am
content: Regarding Brymen.Im still en doubt if should go for the bm233 or bm235 or even the bm257sIs there any hardware differences between bm 235 and eevblogs bm235?athttp://www.tme.eu/gb/details/bm233/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/they say that it comes with the "K-type temperature probe"but what I understod 233 does not Measure temperature?and what is bm233-web?http://www.tme.eu/gb/details/bm235-wb/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/#so what would i gain if I upgraded from 233 to 235 or even 257s?Are there other rebranded models of the 233,235, and 257s?

author: PeterMadach
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2016, 01:32:28 am
content: I just picked up a BM233I also got it from TME (Hungary). No K-type probe as the meter cannot measure temp. Just the meter, stock leads and a manual. Quality seems really good at first glance. Its a good pick if you don't need temperature measurement capability or the LoZ mode. Didn't open it up so I cannot confirm the chip is the same as the 235 or not, but I wouldn't be surpirsed if it is the same. The placement of the measurement types around the selector wheel is the same as with the 235, except the LoZ of course - its no proof, but a good indicator, that they use the same or at least similar chips. Didn't do any testing yet, but I have a really good feeling about this meter - mind you that it is my first Brymen, at the university where I study, I've only seen noname el-ceapo ones, some UNI-Ts and a handful of really old Flukes, so this is like a whole new universe for me.I'd only pick the BM257s if you really need the IR communication option. Otherwise I'd go for the BM233/235 depending on your needs, just because they're newer and also cheaper - and I also love the screen flashing continuity tester

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2016, 09:58:26 pm
content: Thanks all.Ended up with a Bm257s as the price tag between bm235 and bm257s with shipping was very little.Seems like very good meter.Now it's time to learn about electric current and how to use multimeter😋

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 09:06:50 am
content: The BM257 also have the bargraph, which i find very handy. I must admit, that i like the white backlight from the BM235.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 08:03:46 pm
content: Quote from: cs.dk on December 26, 2016, 09:06:50 amYes i like the white backlight better as well, so that is the only cons :-)

author: PeterMadach
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 10:08:16 pm
content: Quote from: baastrup on December 26, 2016, 08:03:46 pmplus the flashing continuity

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2016, 08:09:10 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on December 08, 2016, 06:53:01 pmI'm delighted to see such careful categorisation. I tend to just categorise my meters into 'bench', 'handheld' and sometimes 'vintage', but do you have candidates for all permutations of inside/outside, main/backup, disposable/quality ? Any other categories ?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2016, 09:41:38 pm
content: Quote from: artag on December 27, 2016, 08:09:10 pmMaybeRecycledThis by far categorizes the majority of the meters I have looked at.ModifiedMeters that I have made some sort of modification to for demonstration purposes.RepairedMeters that were damaged during my evaluation that I was able to repair and they still meet there original performance.DamagedMeters that ere damaged and I was unable to fully repair but are still somewhat functional.DeadMeters that are non functional but still in use. 5KY provided me with a UT61E which is the only meter I have that fits this category. Although, it's nearing the recycle stage.RobustMeters that I have yet to damage. Because I normally run all of the meters to failure, there are VERY FEW meters that fit in this category.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2016, 06:41:24 pm
content: Where's Rob McKenna when you need him?