Facom 712A Digital clamp meter teardown - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Sjokolade
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 04:27:36 pm
content: I guess Facom don't make this themselves, anyone know who does ?

author: JLNY
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 07:01:19 pm
content: The control layout is pretty distinctive, so not many meters have the buttons in a line above the knob like that. After a quick search, it looks kinda similar to this:https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Digital-Clamp-Meter-Multimeter-DC-AC_60432132122.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.1.TEMXipApparently, they are sold though "Gain Express Holdings Ltd." in Hong Kong under the model E04-032. It's not 100% clear if they are actually the ones who make them or if they are just a supplier.https://www.gainexpress.com/collections/multimeters-scopemeter/products/e04-032-digital-clamp-meter-multimeter-dc-ac-voltage-current-resistance-diode-continuity-testerMaybe someone more knowledgeable about the actual factories that produce these meters will know more than me, but supply chains like this can often be pretty opaque to outside observers.I've never heard of Facom. Are they reputable? I would be curious to see what the meter looks like inside. From the outside, the meter looks pretty generic, so I can't say that I'm overly confident that the internal build quality will be all that great.

author: Sjokolade
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 07:27:31 pm
content: Yes it looks like you are right - I see in the alibaba link it is listed as a 'ALL SUN' model 'E04-032', even the bag and the probe plug covers looks the same.Facom is highly regarded when it comes to hand tools but I can't vouch for this clamp meter even though it's priced at £443 over at RS. I like your China price better hehe $43.90 USDI see that the Facom model has temperature feature added and it has threaded inserts for the screws for the battery compartment, maybe I should open it if there is interest for it.

author: anotherlin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 08:31:32 pm
content: Quote from: JLNY on June 19, 2017, 07:01:19 pmFacom is the best french brand for hand tools (screwdrivers, torque wrenches, etc), quite expensive but very good, used by professionals.Maybe not much known worldwide, but Facom can easily compare with the best of german, japanese, or american brands.The kind of tools that you would like to for your dream workshop.However, Facom is more mechanics oriented (garage, heavy machinery maintenance), rather than electrician or even electronics.My guess is that this meter is certainly not crap, Facom is high end so they must have selected a good supplier. But they are no specialist for meters, so that won't be my first choice.In fact, I'm wondering why they (Facom) sell a small line of (rebadged) meters, instead of focussing on what they do best.Fluke doesn't sell screwdrivers!

author: Koen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 11:27:35 pm
content: Somewhere around 2002, FACOM decided to introduce lower-grade tools at lower-prices, close some factories/foundries in France, move some production to Taiwan, sell rebadged 3rd-party tools and most importantly, prepare to be acquired. Nowadays, "Stanley Black&Decker FACOM"'s catalog is mostly rebadged 3rd-party tools. Even smartphones if you wish.

author: boggis the cat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2017, 03:27:41 am
content: Facom make excellent torque tools. I have not come across anything better in that area. Not inexpensive, of course, but you do get what you pay for.I have no experience with other types of equipment under their brand. (And, of course, good brands are always at risk of being 'managed' into oblivion by the usual corporate suspects.)

author: JLNY
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2017, 01:00:49 pm
content: Quote from: Koen on June 19, 2017, 11:27:35 pmYes, that's not surprising. Even here in the US, many of the meters I see in hardware stores are rebadged Mastechs and I think some Extechs or Uni-T meters.£443 seems pretty steep to me. I would accept nothing less than a top-notch meter inside for that price.

author: Sjokolade
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2017, 05:26:46 pm
content: A few more pictures, Facom ships this with the same batteries as in the alibaba link.I see that pcb is marked FA712A - perhaps only made for Facom ?

author: Sjokolade
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2017, 05:27:48 pm
content: Pictures:

author: Sjokolade
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2017, 05:28:51 pm
content: Pictures