How to read those meter spec sheets??

[electron]

I am looking for information on how to read DMM meter spec sheets.

ie

Range --- Resolution --- Accuracy -/+ ([% of reading] + [Counts])

6.000v --- 0.001v --- 2.0% + 2 (45hz to 1 khz)
1000nF --- 1nF --- 1.2% + 2
10.999nF --- +/- 1.0% rdg + 5d (DF<0.1)

Is range the max displayed for that setting? What is the lowest displayed for the setting?

Is there a tutorial(s) on how to use a data sheet? What is the best practice using a data sheet to help determine the pros and cons of a device/instrument, not to mention is it meeting it's specs.

Referenced sheets (just as a basic reference point)

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/77iv____umeng0000.pdf
http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/manuals/380193_UM.pdf
http://www.bkprecision.com/products/docs/datasheets/87xB_datasheet.pdf

Thanks in advanced!

[SgtRock]

Dear Electron:
--You might want to view Dave's video on this subject. I think it should be a lot of help. I was to me.

http://www.eevblog.com/2009/08/21/eevblog-26-multimeter-counts-accuracy-resolution-calibration/

Best Regards
Clear Ether

[electron]

Great video, that help clarify the counts vs accuracy. However each datasheet is not as cut and dry for newbies
Surely counts are not the only thing to look for on a datasheet / spec sheet? And then a newbie has to interpret correctly, as I most certainly did not on the counts.

[SgtRock]

Dear Electron:
--I too have had to puzzle my way through unfamiliar manuals. I still do not completely understand all of the BK manual. I do not have a BK LCR so that makes it even more difficult.

--I am afraid no one makes a manual on how to read manuals. And it would be hard for anyone to state everything about all three manuals that might be pertinent to your inquiry. So I guess the best thing to do at this point is to ask specific questions, one at a time. Something like "It says such and such, that means this, is that correct?" Though there are only a finite number of instructions in the manuals, there are a much larger number of questions that could conceivably be ask. So one at a time, and be specific, and soon you will be saying aha. Do not worry about being ignorant, it is curable. I get up each morning ignorant and go to bed a little less ignorant. Best Regards
Clear Ether

[ejeffrey]

Unfortunately not every data sheet is as clear as you have posted.

Almost all meters have separate measurement ranges for every power-of-10 range, with the least significant digit (1 count) a power of 10.  So a 6000 count meter will have ranges of (for instance) 600.0 mV, 6.000 V, 60.00 V, and so forth.  A 20,000 meter will have 200.00 mV, 2.0000 V, 20.000 V, etc.  Sometimes the top-most range will be cut off.  For instance, a 6000 count meter might have 600.0 mV, 6.000 V, 60.00 V, 600.0 V, and 1000 V.  The 1000 V range effectively only has 1000 counts.  The same is common on current ranges.

Sometimes you will see each range listed separately as in your example, but sometimes you will see things like "DC voltage: 0.1 mV to 600 V" or "DC voltage: 600.0 mV to 600.0 V" or "DC voltage to 600 V, best resolution 100 microvolt".  All of those mean the same thing.  If you know the number of counts, you can usually figure out the supported ranges.