EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: limbwal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 07:24:24 am
content: I just got my meter about a month ago and I went to measure current, and I can't on the milli or micro amp range, only on the higher amperage range, everything else looks fine. I took it apart and I can't see anything obvious. I didn't take the panel off so I might be missing something. Anyone know what this might be? Or, what my best course of action going forward would be? Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 07:28:59 am
content: Check the fuse.

author: limbwal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 06:14:06 pm
content: would that be a possible issue even if voltage measurements are working? Aren't they on the same fuse?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 06:15:42 pm
content: The fuses in the meter only protects the uA/mA and A range. The fuse is not required for volts or ohms measurement.Your mA fuse is likely blown (open).

author: limbwal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 06:20:25 pm
content: Yes - thank you I see that now - I checked the fuse and it is indeed blown- where can I get a good quality replacement?

author: ivi_yak
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 06:43:28 pm
content: you can use piece of wire

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 06:48:10 pm
content: Quote from: limbwal on December 28, 2017, 06:20:25 pmNormally we'd point you to Daves shop but he's out of stock ATM.https://www.eevblog.com/product/multimeter-fuse-pack/He does sell DMM's on Amazon, check there to see if they're holding stock.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 07:01:49 pm
content: I am sure Dave will sort something out for you if it arrived open circuit.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 07:56:42 pm
content: Quote from: ivi_yak on December 28, 2017, 06:43:28 pmNo, you can't just use a piece of wire!The next time the OP makes a mistake he could damage his meter, or his meter and himself, depending on the power source!

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2017, 11:21:11 pm
content: Good ol'use a wire or small calibre bullet'jokesBig NO on that!!!Get the correct fuse and spares (!)AFAIK you should still be able to use the meter safely for everything except current measurements in the meantime

author: Neomys Sapiens
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2017, 11:30:47 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on December 29, 2017, 11:21:11 pmWhen I read the post with the piece of wire first, I thought of answering that one of us should drop by and replace all the fuses in the poster's home with pieces of wire (or solid metal).Then I saw where he comes from and suddenly recognized that this has been probably already done.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2017, 11:35:57 pm
content: They also did a video sticking a bullet into a fuse holder in a car. Some bullets got shot there! But can't find the video on youtube :-(

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 01:42:22 am
content: The jumpwire thing or soldering a wire across blown fuse, or jamming in a glass fuse cheapie,ALL THREE FIXES HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDEDmay work for a responsible user with an inline external fuse/s of a similar value or lower,to ensure a fast blow if a low current test goes south as they can do sometimes x lots...WITH reminders on the meter to replace the fuse ASAP or yesterdayFused leads are a winner too but ONLY if correct value HRC fuses fitted for the application at hand, otherwise the meter PCB becomes the fuseLOL, please ignore this comment based on optimismand just fit the correct fuse in the meterBest to avoid Murphy scenarios and subsequent upcoming 2018 Darwin Awards as much as possible