New multimeters from Brymen - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2022, 01:32:14 pm
content: Some new multimeters from Brymen were released recently...http://www.brymen.com/Products2-2.htmlBM2800 CSE SERIEShttp://www.brymen.com/PD02BM2800CSE_2807CSE.htmlBM830 is also quite new probably.http://www.brymen.com/PD02BM830_839.htmlUnfortunately, no low impedance (Auto check, LoZ) mode here.So I am still happy with my BM829s bought in 2016.http://www.brymen.com/PD02BM820s_829s.html

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2022, 06:36:47 pm
content: The 2800 series looks interesting. Good specs, high safety, a backlight that stays on for 32 minutes...Details:http://www.brymen.com/images/ProductsList/BM2800CSE_List/BM2800CSE_Catalog.pdfCouldn't find a price yet though.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 06:54:48 pm
content: The 2805CSE finally arrived on the Brymen web site:https://brymen.eu/shop/bm2805-cse/I figured out the numbering system:"2805" is "second-generation 805" so this model is intended to replace the existing 805."CSE" is "CAT and Shielding Enhanced" - this meter has extra internal shielding.Price is just over 100 Euros which seems about right. Looks like a good solid meter. Much better than eg. a Fluke 17B.It claims fast autoranging with "speeded" Ohms and capacitance measurement. It has separate range selection for just about everything and they seem to have done away with the memory of the last-used ranges.If you paint it yellow it's probably as good as an 87V for electricians.(I wonder if there's an aftermarket for selling yellow boots that fit Brymen meters?)

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 09:00:01 pm
content: QuoteBecause the painting improves bandwidth, resolution and accuracy.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 09:16:28 pm
content: It's missing LowZ on V so kinda crappy for electrician's use. Would not buy a multimeter without LowZ V in a plant or industrial environment, been there done that.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 09:22:51 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 03, 2023, 09:16:28 pmJust like the 87V...

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 09:31:15 pm
content: QuoteI would say not suitable..Multimeters are (in Germany(DGUV) )not approved for determining the absence of voltage, but mainly because of the risk of mixing up the sockets or setting a wrong range.In addition, there is the high input resistance, which can indicate voltages that are actually not present.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 09:44:59 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 03, 2023, 09:31:15 pmThe only Fluke multimeter I would consider "suitable for electrician" is the 113.https://www.fluke.com/en/product/electrical-testing/digital-multimeters/fluke-113It has no sockets or ranges to mix up and it only does LoZ.Of course Fluke makes proper electrical testers, too:https://www.fluke.com/en/product/electrical-testing/basic-testers/fluke-t90-t110-t130-t150#

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 10:02:05 pm
content: What's behind the obsession to read VFD frequency? It's like a marketing gimmick for electricians, and now everybody is putting in the feature.It's a dangerous measurement with HF HV square waves- just to "check" motor speed? The VFD display tells me that and more- just read RPM there.Why would it ever not match the VFD's intent? A shorted IGBT or SCR you're see some blown fuses, loss of a phase, so I think VFD Hz is useless.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 10:25:04 pm
content: QuoteThis was my first thought too because we produce VFDs with sinusoidal output waveforms.But it seems that´s not the "standard":https://www.fluke.com/en-gb/learn/blog/motors-drives-pumps-compressors/multimeter-measurements-on-adjustable-speed-drives-utilizing-the-new-fluke-87v-dmm

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 03:01:19 am
content: BM2807 seems to be virtually same specs as BM235 with BM2807 about 30 EUR more.BM2807 has the additional shielding, higher CAT rating, logic frequency and "speeded" ohms and capacitance. Don't know how much faster the BM2807 is in those measurements, but I expect it's pretty noticeable if they're touting it.Since I don't need the extra shielding, I'd probably still go for the BM235 that I already have and like (plus I think the BM235 looks better - not much of a factor, but not nothing).

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 04:10:58 am
content: Does it have any sealing around the rotary switch and input jacks? To keep out dirt and moisture, O-ring kind of thing.I don't mean to laugh but can someone straighten the banana jacks pleasepic from Brymen website.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 09:38:52 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 04, 2023, 04:10:58 amIt's one of their "industrial" meters so, very probably.Disclaimer: I don't have this exact model but I know my old BM857 has o-rings on the input jacks, the screws, between the two halves of the case, etc. There's no reason this will be any different.https://youtu.be/tXu0lsOjvDs?t=708

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 10:03:20 am
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on December 25, 2022, 01:32:14 pmInteresting:"double sided EMI shielded"and"speeded uF and Mohms ranges"I wonder they are new features not found on any existing models?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 10:08:19 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 03, 2023, 10:02:05 pmKane sent me an EEVblog branded 555 meter, a variation on the 121GW, and they wanted to know if I was keen to sell it.But I didn't understand why they added motor measurement on such an instrument, didn't make much sense

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 10:43:23 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 04, 2023, 10:03:20 amThe range selector has separate positions for nF and uF so they're probably using a different circuit for faster (and more robust?) uF measurements,eg. For checking motor capacitors?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 10:52:01 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 03, 2023, 09:16:28 pmFWIW: The 2807 model has "Single-pole Contact EF-Detection for Precise Indications of Live Conductors"Also non-contact EF detectionwith selectable sensitivity:

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 11:03:57 am
content: This is slightly worrying:Looks like battery life will only be about 150 hours.Surely they could have made it work with 3xAAA. LDOs only cost a few cents.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 12:11:44 pm
content: Low Bat below 2.5V, Accus got 1.2V each..

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 12:15:48 pm
content: I don't see any advantage to the Brymens I already have (BM257s/BM789/BM869s).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 07:39:27 pm
content: Quote from: RAPo on June 04, 2023, 12:15:48 pmThe "industrial" meters are smaller and have a very satisfying feel. You should try one.They're also a lot tougher and have recessed screens so you can throw them in toolboxes. Less feature overload on the dial, too.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 08:10:42 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 04, 2023, 10:08:19 amMultimeter OEM's and product line managers have little to no experience in the environments they are targeting. So there are features of no real use that Company A came up with and everybody just copies it, adds it in I think.I've worked with VFD's to 100HP on 480VAC so DC bus is around 850VDC. Connecting a multimeter to that (motor output) being commutated at 6-12kHz PWM carrier freq. is a mind blowing amount of common-mode noise that will cause either erroneous readings, crashing etc. which requires added EMI shielding and added cost and bulk.It's an 850Vpp square-wave and a multimeter will tell you nothing of value doing that risky measurement. It can't help you troubleshoot a VFD or motor.In plant environments there is always moisture, dirt, CNC coolant glycol, coal dust etc. so you need two things - Low Z for voltage measurements and Ohms test current higher than a flea fart. Brymen's designs have dropped down to around 0.3mA which is no good in these environments. It should be at least the usual 1mA or higher i.e. testing a 1,200V 150A IGBT on Ohms to see if it is damaged, you can get misleading readings.Quote from: Fungus on June 04, 2023, 10:52:01 amThis is non-contacting electric-field detection, which is different from Low Z voltage measurements.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 10:29:00 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 04, 2023, 11:03:57 amThis is exactly the same as the BM235. Maybe Brymen hasn't been getting much negative feedback on the BM235's battery life?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 01:04:04 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on June 04, 2023, 04:10:58 amYeah ... it is a bit triggering........Is this better?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 01:40:16 am
content: Quote from: mwb1100 on June 04, 2023, 10:29:00 pmCan't say I've had any complaints.The BM786 used a radically redesigned vertical battery holder with 3xAAA's.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 01:43:53 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 04, 2023, 07:39:27 pmIf I was an electrican that carried a tool bag daily then I'd certainly get optimised tools for the jobs. Small, robust, and no fuss is what you are after. Fluke have done this well.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 04:07:07 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on June 05, 2023, 01:04:04 amUm yes it looks better, it's way crooked on some other model's pics as well. But can you thicken the plastic tube so it doesn't crack and bust

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 04:35:11 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 05, 2023, 01:43:53 amI'm not sure what people have against the square Brymens. To me it's the oversized "baby-head" Brymens that look ugly.Then again, my laptop is an old Panasonic Toughbook instead of a Macbook Pro so what do I know?Edit: Maybe you have to see the meters in 3D on a bench to appreciate them. The "industrial ones" don't look their best when photographed directly front-on like on the Brymen web site and you don't see the size difference there either.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 11:48:22 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on June 04, 2023, 12:11:44 pmThat stuck out for me as well, it's effectively saying "Doesn't work with rechargeables" which would be rather annoying. The BM235 and BM786 have the same issue, only the rather more expensive 121GW doesn't.Having said that, has anyone used the possibly-problematic models with NiMH batteries? Did they actually complain about the batteries?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 07:34:51 pm
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on June 05, 2023, 11:48:22 amEneloops should work according to the discharge graphs on the Internet.

author: sonpul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2023, 07:48:11 pm
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on June 05, 2023, 11:48:22 amThe BM789 (786 I think so) has no problem with 3xAAA batteries. I'm tired of waiting for the Panasonic Eneloop to run out. 6 months they work without recharging. Every day BM789 is at work, often I do not turn it off.

author: NoMoreMagicSmoke
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2023, 03:08:50 am
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on June 05, 2023, 11:48:22 amEneloops fresh out of the package lasted a few months in my 789. I now have freshly charged ones to see how long they last.