Any experience of these cheap Amprobe DMM? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 03:07:56 pm
content: HiJust wondering if anyone has experience of these cheap Amprobe DMMs?http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/amprobe-am-500-diy-pro-digital-multimeter-r58huhttp://www.maplin.co.uk/p/amprobe-digital-multimeter-and-battery-tester-a48wbhttp://www.maplin.co.uk/p/amprobe-am-510-eur-digital-handheld-multimeter-a37wn(I am not planning on getting one)

author: colorado.rob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 07:33:55 pm
content: None of them appear to be a true RMS meter. For that price I'd go with an Owon B35T or Uni-T UC139T from ebay. It would appear one can get those shipped from within the UK in that price range.

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 08:24:51 pm
content: Thanks.I read the forum review of the Owon, consense is that it is not a safe dmm.The UniT UT139C fairs better as a safe meter.The Amprobe dmms may be feature poor but since Amprobe is connected with Fluke, they are generally considered to produce safe dmms.I want to know if these budget dmms by Amprobe are safe as their more expensive models.

author: markce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 08:42:53 pm
content: Ampro am510 is reviewed by Joe Smith on youtube in "Evaluating low cost DVMs Part 8", and tested safe. The am530 is the TRMS version.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 10:17:20 pm
content: Quote from: markce on June 16, 2017, 08:42:53 pmAnd just so we are clear, nothing I did showed anything about the meter's safety but this meter was certified. I'm not sure that any of the UNI-T products are.The 530 is a nicer meter but for what ever reason was not near as robust as the low cost 510.

author: markce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 10:32:22 pm
content: That's correct, the test showed the meter is functional after a high-voltage test on all ranges. A lot of meters fail this test. This give's me confidence in the protection of this meter, but it is not a true safety test.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 10:50:47 pm
content: Yep, joe's tests are 'robustness', not 'safety'.Many meters have failed in his testing. Very few of them have blown their case apart or done something dangerous.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 11:29:03 pm
content: Why is it called 510 EUR? Hard to believe it supports something specific related to Europe

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 12:06:04 am
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on June 16, 2017, 11:29:03 pmI wondered that myself. Even if they have a different cert, why wouldn't they make it across the board. Then again, there is that special UT61E.

author: markce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 01:09:45 pm
content: QuoteHave a look at the manual (spec pages).The am510 EUR appears to have different fuses, to comply to EU regulations as they claim.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 03:12:49 pm
content: Quote from: markce on June 17, 2017, 01:09:45 pmWhy would they require the 0.5A to have a higher voltage rating and the 10A to be lower?F1 fuse, 0.5A H 660V fast-fuse, 6.3×32mm (AM-510)F1 fuse, 0.5A H 700V fast-fuse, 6.3×32mm (AM-510-EUR)F2 fuse, 10A H 660V fast-fuse, 6.3×32mm. (AM-510)F2 fuse, 10A H 600V fast-fuse, 6.3×25mm. (AM-510-EUR)

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 03:52:14 pm
content: Hard to say without seeing the actual fuses. Could be a difference in rupture current. Or some sort of certification by an independent lab like TÜV.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 04:32:37 pm
content: I thought the Amprobe meters I had came with SIBA. Looking at the AM530, it has a SIBA in the 500mA and a Bussman for the 10A. I believe these were the original parts that were supplied with the meter. Mine may be a little newer than the one shown here and they may have changed suppliers for the 10A.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/amprobe-am-530-a-peek-under-the-hood/However, looking at my AM510 there are two ceramic fuses but ceramic is plain white. One is marked 600V 600mA 6FF-1, circle with an H in the center. The other is marked 10A 660V cRUus. I bought the AM510 new and do not remember ever blowing a fuse it.I am guessing you are right.