Amprobe AM-570 photos - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: cuebus
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 06:41:11 am
content: Hi all,I bought an Amprobe AM-570 as a second meter and figured I'd share photos of the PCB here since I didn't see any teardowns virtually anywhere for this specific model.Main chipset is here:http://www.cyrustek.com.tw/spec/ES51995F.pdfMSP430 seems to control some of the auxiliary functions.Check out the switch arrangement for the Low-Z mode. These are momentary switches because the mode requires the button to be held. I guess the standard carbon/pcb trace buttons wouldn't be good enough?The pictures aren't great - just enough to make out details. I photographed it at home by hand since I just got it today. If anyone is interested in better-lit tripod shots, let me know and I'll make it happen.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 01:57:15 pm
content: There aren't as many photos on the forum so more helps, Amprobe is well made. Its likely Uni-T as the OEM, and it shows given motivation and funds, Uni-T candesignbuild a DMM to rival Flukebrandedmeters, compared to the DMMs with their brand.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-$50-multimeter-shootout-15-dmms-compared/msg731317/#msg731317https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/amprobe-am-570-or-am-270/

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 06:24:34 pm
content: Thanks for the look inside. It certainly looks like a well designed meter. I would be happy with one of these for sure.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 08:46:21 pm
content: On passing I should mention Amprobe is owned by Fluke, so its likely Fluke engineers insured a basic Uni-T design met Fluke's product values. While Amprobe and Fluke devices differ on ergonomics and construction materials, they are par on safety, and also safety rated.

author: cuebus
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 10:07:23 pm
content: Yeah, I'm quite happy with the meter's construction. The number of PTCs and MOVs is great for a meter than can be had for around $100 if you look.PCB is 4 layer construction as well with shielding between layers as you can see in the photos - they really didn't cut corners here at all.

author: GeekPriest
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2015, 12:17:32 am
content: Quote from: saturation on September 03, 2015, 08:46:21 pmA worthwhile point. A lot of people in the trades -- electricians, HVAC, appliance techs, automotive techs -- need something that will simply work without exposing them to safety risks. (Or ridicule from coworkers. My brother is a diesel mechanic. He still guffaws at the new tech who showed up with Pittsburgh brand tools from Harbor Freight.) For them, one simply chooses a known reputable brand -- much like Dave Jones suggests in his $50 meter shootout -- and gets back to work. Fluke, Amprobe, Greenlee, and even the badged Snap-on/Bluepoint/Mac/whatever meters probably get the most attention from those guys. Those names had better not let these pros down.On the suggestion of retiredcaps here, I picked up an Amprobe AM-130, made by Brymen. Darned nice meter, especially for $60. It has the backlight Dave Jones doesn't like, but the backlight works well enough for me. (Yes, the Brymen and Fluke meters are better in this regard.)

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2015, 03:17:00 am
content: Thanks for the pics! I have one of these too and like it quite a lot. Some time ago I posted a question about it but never got a reply, maybe you know the answer:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/amprobe-am-570-multimeter-settings-%28%29/

author: cuebus
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 04, 2015, 03:45:09 am
content: Hey kwass,I'm able to get into the same mode on my meter but like you, I can't figure out at all what it's for. Pressing and holding any combination of buttons seems to do nothing. The only ones that do anything are the max/min and hold buttons like you note.Tracing through the contacts the buttons connect directly to the MSP430.What I did notice is that in the Cyrustek datasheet there is a sleep mode pin (pin 80) that will enable sleep mode if set Hi. My guess is that the MSP430 will set this pin high after a certain amount of time. Perhaps you can sever this trace to permanently disable sleep mode?