Author Topic: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?  (Read 7467 times)

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Offline wintechTopic starter

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Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« on: July 22, 2019, 08:15:35 pm »
Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
 

Offline wintechTopic starter

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2019, 08:17:27 pm »
oh
 
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Offline rstofer

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2019, 08:28:09 pm »
It's not unusual to want to measure more than one voltage or perhaps a voltage and a current all simultaneously

Take the average LED - it has a very specific characteristic curve of voltage versus current.  You might want to rig up an experiment to measure these values and plot a graph like the one in the datasheet.

I have 2 bench model DMMs plus 3 handhelds layig on my bench plus some more on the shelves in the closet.  I think WANT got ahead of NEED but that's not a problem.

Three meters is a realistic number.

Transistor base voltage, base current and collector current.  Maybe another for emitter voltage if there is a degeneration resistor.
 
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Offline rrinker

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2019, 08:29:03 pm »
 On a practical basis, maybe you want to measure both the input voltage and the output voltage of a circuit? Hard to do with a single meter.
 But once you get a second one - you'll want a third. And a fourth... and by then you will have heard of some of the classic vintage handhelds and bench meters, and you'll want some of those, and next thing you know, you will be posting in the TEA thread under the Test Equipment section.
 And of course, multimeters are just a gateway drug - next you'll be collecting oscilloscopes, signal generators, and all sorts of gear. Heaven forbid you discover nixie tube gear...
 
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Offline schmitt trigger

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2019, 08:31:19 pm »
Multiple parameter monitoring.

A perfect example: Input line regulation on a voltage regulator. Or load current regulation also on a VR.
 
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Offline wintechTopic starter

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2019, 08:32:11 pm »
Thanks for the advice! :)
 

Offline Bud

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2019, 08:35:42 pm »
The correct answer is you do not need them if you asked that question.
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Offline vinlove

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2019, 08:38:40 pm »
I needed at least 3x MMs, to reconfirm any readings with MM.  I actually have 5x MMs.
Yes, I do confirm at least 3 times with different MMs for each readings. Recently 5x times. Because any of them might go faulty.
 
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Offline rsjsouza

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2019, 08:48:25 pm »
Sometimes the type of work also defines having more than one meter. For example, if you live in a house and have a very good and high precision multimeter for electronics work, you will rarely want to take it to inspect something outside on the dirt, mud or wet area - for that task a more suitable meter can be a simpler, less precise and perhaps water/dust proof meter.

That also does not count the occasional need for measuring high currents on regular equipment - in this case, a current clamp is better suited for the job.

Obviously that, as others have mentioned, as time goes by the more the merrier. :)
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Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Offline klunkerbus

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2019, 09:25:33 pm »
It can depend what meter you start with.  If you start with a handheld, you *might* be able to get by with just that since it can easily follow you to whatever you're working on.   

If you start with a bench meter, you're more than likely going to still need a handheld since not everything you'll want to measure will be at the workbench. 

I managed through decades of hobby fun with just a handheld, albeit the best one I could afford when I bought it.  I only recently added a bench meter for the convenience of not having to unwrap cords, find a place to set the meter, etc.
 

Offline soldar

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2019, 09:35:12 pm »
I have a whole range of meters. I have a couple old analog meters that I got decades ago when I was starting. I hardly use them any more but they are like old friends and they keep me company at my work bench.

I have a bunch of cheap meters which I got because they were cheap and they are good enough for basic work with batteries or mains where I do not need precision. And I have some better ones, including a massive bench meter which is more useful for precision work.

I find it useful to have a cheap meter at hand rather than have to go up or down two floors to get a meter just to test a battery or other simple task.

A couple of months ago I was doing some mains work and I forgot to change ranges and I blew up a cheap meter. Thank goodness for that.

Yes, I could get by with fewer meters but I find it convenient to have a bunch of them with different qualities and capabilities.

I find it amazing that there are households with no tools. I feel I should have a basic tool kit in every room of the house.
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Offline chris_leyson

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2019, 09:57:18 pm »
In truth you only need one multi-meter. All you have to do is move the probes around to measure voltage differences. Same is true for current, just use appropriate shunt resistors and measure the voltage across the shunt resistor. Granted it takes a bit longer but it still takes time to read voltages and currents from several multi-meters and you can always get a ball park measurement with a scope.
 

Online Nominal Animal

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2019, 10:17:01 pm »
The reason you need two multimeters, is that with three multimeters you can verify (to some measure of reliability) that all four of them show consistent values for the same measurement, and that the fifth and sixth are not too far off.

To be honest (and I'm not TEA yet!), I need two because I'm likely to break one by doing something dumb, and because I occasionally want to measure two voltages or a voltage and current at the same time.  Plus, a third, cheapie one, would be nice to take with me, when I go meet friends about electronics, so I can keep my good ones at home.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2019, 10:18:50 pm by Nominal Animal »
 
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Online CatalinaWOW

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2019, 10:32:08 pm »
One for the lab.  One "safe" one for the work on mains voltages.  One to keep in the car.  One in the kitchen drawer to check batteries.  One for the wife to destroy.  Another for the kids to destroy.  It just goes on and on.    Fortunately most of these "needs" can be met with the free or nearly free low end meters.
 
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Offline Wimberleytech

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2019, 11:40:08 pm »
Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?

Because I can´t remember where I left the other one.  :-DD
 
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Offline Brumby

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #15 on: July 23, 2019, 12:27:15 am »
In addition to all of the above reasons, you will probably find that there are some ranges and/or ratings that you will need that are not found on one meter or that if they are, that two or more separate meters can cover this for a fraction of the cost.


The correct answer is you do not need them yet if you asked that question.
FTFY  ;D
« Last Edit: July 23, 2019, 12:37:16 am by Brumby »
 
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Offline james_s

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2019, 12:28:11 am »
If you have to ask why you need something then you probably don't need it. When you come across a situation where you need multiple meters you'll probably know.

Personally I have a bench meter and a handheld and that's all I regularly use. I also have an old Nixie tube meter I pull out once in a while just because it's cool and I keep a Harbor Freight freebie in my car for emergency use.
 

Offline rsjsouza

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #17 on: July 23, 2019, 02:57:22 am »
If you have to ask why you need something then you probably don't need it. When you come across a situation where you need multiple meters you'll probably know.
I still think it is a valid doubt. For at least two decades I got by with a single multimeter, making voltage and current measurements one at a time. Due to the cost of these instruments back then, it never occurred to me to even consider buying a second one. I certainly needed it then, but I couldn't wrap my head with the idea of having more than one (not to mention a Fluke). Only when I moved here to the US (testgear heaven) is that I actually found out the price point intercepted my comfort level. I now have about 20: some inherited from my late father, others bought on the cheap, with several old crushes (Flukes 8020A, 8060A) while others have unique features (LED, 4 wire measurements, 500000 counts) that make up for interesting uses.
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Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 

Offline BravoV

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #18 on: July 23, 2019, 03:00:28 am »
... I now have about 20: ...

 :o

Is there any chance now, that you've properly developed a unique swimming style in your sea of DMMs ?  :-DD
 
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Offline Shock

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #19 on: July 23, 2019, 06:50:35 am »
Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?

One to perform a measurement. Two or more to make simultaneous measurements. It can also be handy owning different models with different features or accuracy or having a spare as a sanity check for measurements.
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Offline soldar

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #20 on: July 23, 2019, 08:11:31 am »
Well, it's one for the money
Two for the show
Three to get ready
...
and four for the cat ... or something...

You can burn my house
Steal my car
Drink my liquor
From an old fruit jar
Well do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh, honey lay off of my DMM.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2019, 08:32:11 am by soldar »
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Offline rsjsouza

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #21 on: July 23, 2019, 11:24:55 am »
... I now have about 20: ...

 :o

Is there any chance now, that you've properly developed a unique swimming style in your sea of DMMs ?  :-DD
:-DD Yes, that sounds really a great idea!

I have a strong suspicion these DMMs mate and have offsprings when I leave them all together in their box. I couldn't have possibly bought so many!  ::)
« Last Edit: July 23, 2019, 02:05:13 pm by rsjsouza »
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Oh, the "whys" of the datasheets... The information is there not to be an axiomatic truth, but instead each speck of data must be slowly inhaled while carefully performing a deep search inside oneself to find the true metaphysical sense...
 
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Offline Daruosha

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #22 on: July 23, 2019, 11:36:20 am »
Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?

Why not?
 

Offline Johnny10

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #23 on: July 23, 2019, 12:07:16 pm »
Only one meter ???????

Are you sure you belong on this site ?     :)
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Offline Berni

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Re: Why do I need more than 1 multimeter?
« Reply #24 on: July 23, 2019, 12:13:18 pm »
Well there is still a benefit to having only 1 multimeter. When you measure something being 10V you accept it as being 10V

If you have 2 multimeters and one shows 10V and other shows 9.998V... so which meter is accurate. Now you need a 3rd one to check, but then that meter shows 9.999V. And this is how volt nuttery starts.
 


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