electrical test/ volt meters ?

electrical test/ volt meters ? - Printable Version

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electrical test/ volt meters ? - snapper - 24-07-13

Ok after some advice here

I want to get myself a test meter , But I know nothing about them , and I do mean nothing How to use one included !

so Im looking for something basic but realiable it wont get much use so I dont want to spend a fortune , but equally I dont want some thing thats going to brake or fail after a little while .

also need to be idoit proof ! and have basic instructions !

please if you can post a link to which ever one you'd recomend ?

Thanks people

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - clayt74 - 24-07-13

I personally have an expensive fluke Meyer but that is cos of my profession.
To be honest you couldn't go wrong with this one for a tenner.
http://mobile.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=44679

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - garyb - 24-07-13

The fluke are expensive alright but I think they are worth it if you can afford one or as you say need for work etc. Nice finish on them too and very sturdy.
I'am a lazy bugger so love the fully automatic function on mine, saves me having to mess around looking for the appropriate setting or range Smile

Nowt wrong with some of the cheaper ones out there either, I had an old $10 one from Sears Roebuck in US for years and it was a great yoke.

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - snapper - 24-07-13

Garyb I like the idea of the fully automatic function !

do you have a link to which one would be best as looking at the fluke Meyer site doesnt help much

this will be for mostly bike and car use but also to lend out to friends ect

cost could be any isuue but that does realy depend on how many £££££s we are talking ?

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - snapper - 24-07-13

from what I can see the fluke ones seem to go price wise from around £80 bit rich but not impossible to nearly £600 ouch !

maybe maplins £10 is the way to go lol

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - Davebo - 24-07-13

Having a continuity (connections test is useful for tracing faults).

I think I got mine from Machine Mart but Maplin is a good option. Screwfix ? Toolstation ?

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - snapper - 24-07-13

ok Had a quick look about and found this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fluke-113-True-RMS-Digital-Utility-Multimeter-/290934103994?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item43bd061fba#ht_4322wt_932

Gary as far as I can tell its the same ?

Clayt I understand that the maplin one would probably do the job but I woulder if the idiotic fubbelings and abuse it would get at my hand would wreck it , I would rather buy something that will last a life time if I can can I have your thoughts on this ?

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - Ebme Geek - 24-07-13

I speak as a person who has expensive stuff for medical electronics and cheaper stuff for auto's & boats

The one clayt74 points out above would be totally adequate for the type of use you mention - nothing wrong with that

at a similar level, > Note neither has ac current measurement - but you may never need it (both got dc current)
CPC do a Tenma 72-7770 for £7 http://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/72-7770/digital-multimeter/dp/IN04414

or if you would like one that auto ranges so that you only have to select the right function and make sure you have the leads in the right holes (don't forget that bit)

CPC do the Tenma 72-7765 for £13 http://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/72-7765/digital-multimeter/dp/IN04413 Big Grin

this one also got ac current
That's the one I would probably recomend

garyb 's meter looks simple to use but does not have any current measurement without an optional current clamp.
Flukes are nice, I use one, but I think you pay for the name

hope that helps

Steve

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - clayt74 - 24-07-13

yep I have to agree with ebme, most of the cost of a DMM is down to how accurate it is over all of the functions it can perform.
yes auto ranging is a good feature (especially when investigating circuits you are unsure of). in terms of robustness some of the cheaper ones are probably more resilient than the expensive ones. for the type of thing i think you going to be using it for i.e. bike electrics and general DIY i would look for something in the £20- £30 region.
all i think you need is DC volts and Current, AC volts and current, continuity/resistance also Diode/voltage drop can be useful on some bike circuits. I think you would do well to pop into maplin and have a chat with them, they will give you everything you need (but dont let them oversell to you)
good luck

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - JZS 600 - 24-07-13

Maplins, try them out,, cheap and work well

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - BBROWN1664 - 24-07-13

I have a Fluke meter that is around 20 years old. The last time it was calibrated was about 15 years ago and that was the last time I believe the battery was changed too (unless they didn't bother). Great meter butall I need now is a £10 jobbie from Maplins as all I do, like most people is check the odd car/bike battery and check to see if mains voltage is on something or not. Accuracy is not important to me or most people, a simple bulb would do.

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - AdieR - 24-07-13

Fluke's are nice yes, but eye-wateringly expensive (I've got a 289 for work) - for those using it to earn a living and using it day-in, day-out, cost is less of a factor.

If you're simply doing odd jobs on car / bike, have a look in your local hardware / DIY store for something like Draper which is more cost-effective. Halfords sell Gunson gear which will probably be decent enough for the money (never used Gunson stuff, but it always seemed to have a good rep).

If you've got a City Electrical or Edmunson Electrical outlet nearby, the sometimes have decent, inexpensive testers that are worth a look.

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - simonm - 24-07-13

(24-07-13, 12:56 PM)snapper link Wrote: also need to be idoit proof ! and have basic instructions !

I don't think there is such a thing as an idiot proof multimeter. Unless you're electrically competent they're only good for telling if you have a circuit and/or voltage going through a circuit.

I mainly use mine on the "squeel if there is a circuit setting" and sometimes on the 12/24/240v test.

If you know nowt about multimeters just buy a cheap one, then go back at a later date if/when you need to IMO.

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - AdieR - 25-07-13

This for £24 is probably the simplest of testers, but it'll cover most car / bike / household jobs with voltage indication via LEDs (indeed, I have a Megger one that I keep with the bike because it takes up hardly any space) http://isswww.co.uk/VoltageContinuity-Probes/Fluke-Testers/Fluke-T90/

No current measurement, but current is a seldom used function in my experience (industrial testing apart); for domestic stuff, it's simply verifying the presence or absence of a voltage that matters (rather than knowing the actual numerical voltage), plus it has continuity (those 2 functions will see to most jobs).

Re: electrical test/ volt meters ? - simonm - 25-07-13

I'd probably get this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIGITAL-LCD-MULTIMETER-ELECTRICAL-TESTER-TEST-LEADS-BATTERY-UK-BNIB-/350831185462