[RESOLVED] Safe budget multimeter available in Australia? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 12:22:44 am
content: I'm looking for a multimeter recommendation for a friend to use around the house; basic 12VDC, 240VAC, continuity measurements, etc. I'd like to recommend something that performs the basic tasks and is safe to use with mains voltages and will fail safely.Budget is about $100 or less.I've watched the multimeter shootout videos and related topics I could find on the forum but the recommended multimeters are hard or impossible to find locally. The Extech EX330 for example is listed as a $55 meter, but I can't seem to find it for less than $120 shipped, which doesn't seem like a great deal any more. The Amprobe AM270 is described as a $90 meter, but seems to be $220 plus shipping here (?!?!).The only options I can see that are actually in budget are:The QM1549 Cat IV Digitech meter from Jaycar.The Fluke 107 (about $100 on eBay from China).The Amprobe AM510 (from here:http://www.test-equipment-shop.com.au/catalogue/electrical-test/multimeters/amprobe-multimeters/amprobe-am-510-commercial-residential-multimeter.html)Is the Digitech an OK and safe option? It seems to use HRC fuses, but I haven't found any posts about it or similar meters and haven't seen the innards.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 02:37:16 am
content: Just a revision: his budget is about $150 tops.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 02:39:51 am
content: What about a Brymen BM257 from Franky which just about exceeds that budget, or a Uni-T UT61E which he can sell for around $60.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 02:51:59 am
content: Thanks for the Brymen suggestion, I haven't read about those yet.The Uni-T I hadn't considered because it needs to be safe and trustworthy for use with mains electricity.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 02:53:51 am
content: Another option with the slightly higher budget that I assume would be OK is the Agilent U1231A, which doesn't have current measurement but that's probably fine.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 03:01:19 am
content: Quote from: elliot42 on December 17, 2013, 02:51:59 amThe Brymen is of excellent construction. I believe you can find a teardown of it by Dave as well as Franky. As a plus, it includes a computer interface for PC datalogging.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brymen-BM257-Digital-Multimeter-6000-count-Brand-New-Fluke-alternative-/200922627340?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec7ebfd0cedit: added the link

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 03:14:06 am
content: I feel really flattered every time a forum member recommends me as a sourceThanks echen1024!If safety is a concern Brymen is definitely up for the job. Do have a look at Dave's and MJLorton's reviews on YouTube, you won't be disappointed.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 04:27:37 am
content: Actually the BM257 DOES NOT INCLUDE any PC cable. The cable is a separate item and purchase. It is rather expensive as are most add-ons for multimeters but worth it only if you need to data log.I have a BM257, a BM525 and a BM869. I have three for a reason. They are built well and great meters for the money. If the price limit is now $150, then without a doubt I would get a BM257 shipped from our friend here, Franky (AKA iloveelectonics).It lacks two things. One: it is TRMS AC only, not AC+DC. Second: it cannot test LEDs.Everything else is a winner IMHO. I has a non-contact voltage tester, great build quaity, fuses and batteries accessible with one screw, nice compact size, great silicone test leads, and it uses AAA batteries instead of a 9v. It uses less than 3mA so it will last around 300hrs or more on a set of alkaline AAA.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 05:14:03 am
content: I ordered this one, shipped to the use, for similar occasional measurements. Brand name, good quality, and easy to use.http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/267680638.html

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 05:40:52 am
content: Yes, the low end flukes are good safe meters, but IMHO the 107 is not well suited to electronics for its lack of millamp current measurement. The 17B would be a better electronics meter.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 05:59:20 am
content: The meter will be for mostly electrical measurements, with possibly very basic electronic stuff, so the Fluke 107 would probably be OK even with the limited feature set.Thanks for the input so far.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:09:27 am
content: I also like the integrated non-contact voltage detection in the Brymen, nice to have instead of a separate VoltAlert pen.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:21:43 am
content: Quote from: elliot42 on December 17, 2013, 12:22:44 amGeez, I thought T&M equipment was expensive in Canada, but looking at some Australian prices and considering the CDN = AU$ (parity almost), you guys are in the same boat.QuoteThe QM1549 is a rebranded CEM multimeter.http://www.cem-instruments.com/en/pro/sort7-1.htmlIf you watched Dave's $100 shootout, the comments that apply to the Extech likely apply to the QM1549.The CEM is also rebranded and resold as Sears Craftsman, MajorTech, Southwire, Extech and many others. CEM multimeters usually have the tall exaggerated seven segment digits.I would advise staying away from any CEM multimeter as they are likely to have shoddy internal build quality. Martin Lorton did a review of the MajorTech (CEM) and the rotary switch broke in normal use.Modemhead has pictures of the Sears Craftsman athttp://mrmodemhead.com/blog/gallery/craftsman-82003/

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:30:48 am
content: Thanks for that info retiredcaps, I suspected that was the case, but couldn't find much evidence

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:34:42 am
content: A good option for general electrics and light electronics is the Fluke 17B.AU$119.00 with free delivery.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FLUKE-17B-Digital-Multimeter-w-Temperature-Frequency-/261280873940?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3cd58dbdd4

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:42:12 am
content: If you prefer something more exotic, the Kyoritsu 2000 is available for AU$ 136.00.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kyoritsu-2000-Digital-Multimeter-AC-DC-Clamp-Tester-/140891592223?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item20cdcb161f

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:46:36 am
content: If it was up to me, I would recommend the Agilent U132A.AU$135.00 with warranty.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Agilent-U1232A-DMM-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ohmmeter-New-with-Warranty-Save-22-/161154965501?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item2585959ffd

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:52:27 am
content: Ooh! Nice find with the U1232A, that's much cheaper than on Trio's website and within budget.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:56:18 am
content: Quote from: elliot42 on December 17, 2013, 12:22:44 amPictures of the actual QM1549 are found in the calibration instruction pdf athttp://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/QM1549_Calibration_Instruction.pdfAs you can see by the big jumper wire and the pushed over input protection components, it is clearly a CEM design.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 06:57:47 am
content: Quote from: elliot42 on December 17, 2013, 06:52:27 amMartin did a review of the Agilent.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 07:42:05 am
content: Yeah, I would like to recommend the U1232A, but after Martin's review it really seems to have some silly issues.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 07:43:02 am
content: Like what?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 07:44:58 am
content: I would have to watch the whole review again, but the first thing that pops into mind is it has a gap in its current measurement range. It measures up to something like 600 microamps, and then you need to go to the full 10A range to go above that.Oh yes, 0.5% basic DC accuracy is nothing to cheer about in this price range.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 08:15:14 am
content: It is an electrician meter. The uA range is mostly meant to measure flame sensing on gas furnaces, hence the lack of a mA range.It shouldn't be a problem for the intended buyer.Measuring 600mV, worst accuracy would be 600.0 +/- 3.2mV versus +/- 1.5mV on the Brymen 257. Hardly a silly issue.It comes with a 3 year Agilent warranty and will last for 500 hours with a set of AAA batteries. Best deal in town, AFAIK.From the manual:

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 05:17:35 pm
content: Quote from: iloveelectronics on December 17, 2013, 03:14:06 amWell, you are one of the more honest sellers here. I'm waiting to buy a BM869...

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 10:34:39 pm
content: Thanks for all the help guys, he ended up getting the Agilent U1232A after much review watching.Although now I want a BM257 for myself, it looks like a really nice meterToo bad I don't need another one, I already have 2 good meters and 2 cheapies

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 10:51:26 pm
content: elliot42, there is no such thing as too many meters. Get the Brymen and get rid of the cheapies. I also have 2 cheapies and 2 good meters, a Velleman handheld and Protek bench on the cheap end and a Fluke 27FM with high voltage probe and a Fluke 8840A with AC and GPIB options. Meters are fun!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 11:02:56 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on December 17, 2013, 10:51:26 pmDon't get rid of the cheapies. Buy an insulation tester and blow them up. Or, be kind and donate them to some deserving youth in your community.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 11:37:15 pm
content: Given the request for 'basic' what about the Uni-t UT-61E or UT-136 (not sure which of the A-D variants). One is about $60 US delivered from Asia. The other is under $20. Neither are fancy but I would consider both "basic" and the reviews seem to suggest a reasonable level of safety. The sort of safety that would be OK for class 2 or lower. I'm sure they are rated to class 3 but I'm not sure I would want to use them for that.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 11:49:02 pm
content: GreyWoolfe, your definition of cheap is a bit different to mine, my cheap ones are a $35 Jaycar/Digitech and a $10 DSE (my first when I was about 10)My better ones are a Fluke 87 IV and an Agilent U1241B.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2013, 12:14:15 am
content: Quote from: elliot42 on December 17, 2013, 11:49:02 pmI have 1 shit Sperry. Manual ranging, no capacitance...

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 18, 2013, 01:29:25 am
content: I will have a bunch of Tek DMM 916's soon I got cheap if you are interested.

author: elliot42
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2013, 01:44:16 am
content: If I'm interested? Thanks, but no, I can't get another meter right now. And the suggestion for the friend is taken care of; he got the U1232A and it's on its way, in time for Christmas

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2013, 01:57:57 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 18, 2013, 01:29:25 amNo. The shipping will kill it. And, I finally saved up enough for a nice, new Brymen BM869Thanks for the offer though