I started a new job and have some questions about meters and test equipment. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: LewisS
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 02:56:46 am
content: Hello all,I just started a new job as an arcade game / vending machine technician. I have a basic piece of junk $50 Craftsman / Mastech meter (the pcb says mastech on it) that is about a dozen years old. I plan on getting a nice meter to start with. I've been looking at the Agilent U1242B. So far to me is seems to be one of the best meters for around $220 since the Flukes around $200 have less overall accuracy when comparing the spec. sheets. Maybe some of you would have some advice and or recommendations. I would like to stay under $250 for the meter.Also my boss said something briefly about network testing equipment since a growing number of the arcade games have internet (RJ45) network connections for online gaming, scoreboards, and other stuff. Does anyone know what kind of equipment would be best for this application? I would like some recommendations for equipment and brands / models if possible.My first thoughts are something that can test network status, a meter, LCR meter, maybe something for EMI also.Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.Lewis

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 09:25:45 am
content: One of my principles is that an employer has to pay for all equipment I need for my work. PC, laptop, phone, measurement instruments, software, tools, ... If it is for the job then The Man has to pay. That is part of being an employer. If I want to pay for my own stuff I would be self-employed. So I am surprised that you want to get a meter and network tester on your own.(I make an exception for pens and pencils, as my employer's seem to magically end up in my pockets and at home. Therefore I occasionally bring some from home, which might anyway belong to my employer).But OK, regarding network testers, just like multimeters, there is everything available. From simple cable continuity testers, to complex protocol analyzers with all sorts of measurement and analysis features. Beyond continuity testing things get expensive, fast.You need to figure out what the most common faults are in your job and then look for a network tester with the ability to identify those (and a few more).For protocol analysis stuff a combination of a laptop, Wireshark, and often a small switch capable of port monitoring is also common. However, that setup is bulky in the field, any you don't really see what is going on on the wire, just what the laptop's (or switch's) network interface make out of the signal level on the network cable. .g. you don't see bit error rates.

author: ColinA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 12:54:46 pm
content: Today, yes I agree that the employer should provide the necessary tools but, leave it up to the employer and they'll buy the cheapest crap they can get away with. Spend the money and buy yourself a good meter. Over the years I bought myself the books and tools I wanted, they are mine and the man can't take them from me. I've had the same fluke for almost 20 years, beat the crap out of it doing service work for tens years straight and it still works great. Back in the day when we bought our own tools I would judge a tech by the meter he carried.As far as other meters go, a LCR or ESR are a must these days.

author: PetrosA
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 01:37:56 pm
content: Yeah, it sucks that your employer isn't buying you the test equipment, but that's becoming more common nowadaysThe Agilent sounds like a good choice for the DMM.For cable testing (basic go/no go and simple fault finding) I use this:http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=33-856&div=2&l1=testers&l2=testers_twisted_pair&l3=33-856Other options for something similar:http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Tools-MapMaster-Voice-Tester/dp/B004QIQPRY/ref=sr_1_cc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300541382&sr=1-2-catcorrhttp://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-NC-100-NETcat-Digital-Wiring/dp/B0010B6LJC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300541382&sr=1-1-catcorrI don't have any experience with Platinum Tools, but I have had Greenlee stuff and it's well made.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 03:57:13 pm
content: Not sure how useful a LAN tester will be. Most of them are designed to test cables/installations, not the equipment connected to it. Plugging it into a switch should confirm if it establishes link and if auto-negotiation works (assuming the switch indicates link speed), and plugging a laptop into the wall is an easy test to see if the problem is on that end. Swapping patch cables is less work than bothering to test them. But if your work involves pulling cables and documenting network installations, a tester will be a useful tool.

author: Ernie Milko
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 06:16:06 pm
content: Presumably, if this kit has an ethernet connection; it must be configurable via this connection in some way.Perhaps you should ask your boss for a laptop.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2011, 06:50:57 pm
content: My current employer doesn't provide tools for thier employees and I agree with everyone here that they should.It doesn't bother me too much as I work in the office but I have done some panel wring there as training. I managed to borrow tools from someone who was on holiday and bring in some of my own. LOL I broke my cheap £5 wire strippers and my manager replaced them with some decent quality £50 ones. The funny thing was, he asked me to look in the RS catalogue for a replacement so I selected some £20 ones thinking I was being a bit cheeky but he said "no buy some better ones than that" so I did.My previous company provided tools for everyone. Being an MoD contractor they wouldn't allow people to use their own soldering irons, DVMs or crimping tools because they hadn't been calibrated or tested.The only advantage of making people use their own tools is they will look after them but it doesn't mean they'll buy decent ones. I think the solution is to give each employee their own tools on loan when they start and take them back when they finish. That way they're personally responsible for them and the employer can ensure they're suitable for the job.I think allowing employees to use their own tools is risky. I've taken a shit DVM to work. It's a cheap Mastech auto-ranging one which runs off a couple of button cells. The test leads are not replaceable and developed a loose connection so I repaired them by splicing them with other cable and covering it with heat shrink. It's not safe for mains or even automotive use so I only use it for continuity testing and measuring small batteries but if someone is stupid enough to pick up the meter, use it to measure mains and kill themselves who's fault would it be? I'd blame them of course but they might blame me or my employer.

author: LewisS
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 23, 2011, 03:28:44 am
content: Thanks for the advice.I'm not sure about countries other than the US but in the US it is getting more common for technicians, mechanics, electricians, construction workers, and anyone else in the "skilled trades" fields to purchase their own tools. My father is a mechanic and had to spend at least $5k for all his tools since he works with very large 12, 14, and 16 cylinder engines.I don't mind that i have to supply my own tools since i have most of the tools i need already. Also it means i can bring them home with me and use them for my own projects. Not to mention i really don't like sharing tools with other people as i seem to be a bit uptight with tools (i take very good care of my tools and keep them well cleaned, oiled, and maintained unlike some people i have worked with).Also in the last few days i talked with a good friend of mine from Taiwan. He is an engineer at a large company there and he highly recommended Agilent meters. However, he said i should save up and go with the U1251B instead as it is more accurate and suitable to PCB level work. So in regards to that i think i may wait a while longer and save up more money for the better meter.Also in one of Dave's blogs he recommended the BK LCR meter that was about $300. I was just wondering if that was one of the top of the line meters or if it is more of a good mid-ranged meter? I'm trying to figure out how much i should expect to spend for a good LCR meter.I apologize for all the questions and i'm sure i sound very noobish. I was an Electronic Engineer for about 4 years but never had to purchase my own equipment since the company i worked for had a purchasing department that stocked my "lab" before i started since all equipment had to be approved and calibrated yearly.Thanks again.Lewis

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2011, 04:31:10 am
content: Quote from: LewisS on March 19, 2011, 02:56:46 amCheck the Fluke 170 Series Digital Multimeters price range from $244 to $258 at Mouser Electronicshttp://www.mouser.com/catalog/catalogUSD/643/2213.pdfBought a brand new Fluke 179 in 2001 very good and rugged meter.

author: squeezee
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2011, 12:44:29 am
content: Quote from: LewisS on March 23, 2011, 03:28:44 amThats basically as high end as you get in a handheld LCR meter. Also you should check out grainger.com for the agilent meters, they have the U1251/2/3A models for around $140 on clearance right now.

author: Russel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2011, 01:23:13 am
content: Quote from: LewisS on March 23, 2011, 03:28:44 amThe U1251A is on clearance at GraingerIt is blue instead of the orange U1251B, but the price is pretty low while they are in stock.I'm so tempted to add one of these to my meter colection, but I need another multimeter like I need a hole in my head!

author: LewisS
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 24, 2011, 05:22:44 am
content: wow, thank you so much for that info squeezee. As soon as i got home from work about 12:30AM my time (EST and i had to work 2nd shift today) i logged into the forum and read your reply. Man i clicked on the link and pulled out my credit card as fast as i could lol. I would have preferred the Orange B model cause i like the orange screen better but hey for half off plus it has the case and extra probes included i figured it was a deal that could not be beat. Also i decided to go with the 1252A for the extra features. I probably wont need them but for $9 more i could not say no.thanks again,Lewis

author: Jimmy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2011, 06:09:48 am
content: If the man wont pay for your tools and test equipment then he should give you a tool allowance as part of your pay and claim it on tax.You can make your own lan cable tester as most of the time the problem will be contenuity just make onehttp://www.ecawa.asn.au/home/jfuller/rj45/rj45.htm