Well, not sending ANENG dozens of orders would be a start . As would be not recommending any meter that so blatantly lies about its safety.
The public don't know what the markings mean anyway, removing them would make very little difference.
The public don't know what the markings mean anyway, removing them would make very little difference.
Based on the number of comments I receive, a fairly high percentage of people buying meters don't know what they mean. Strange with having the internet at your fingertips. But not making the standards available to the public does not help.
If it were important, there would be government funded watchdog groups that spot checked the companies who self certify. Meters do not pose the same threat as food for example so there is no FDA equivalent. Imagine if this group were able to impose fines if they failed to meet their claimed ratings or prevent import/exporting of the product. Even if there were such a branch like the FDA, I can see like DOT standards for helmets, were we could have a private watchdog like Snell if the problem were really big enough.
Just blabbing....
Imagine extending this to the world of handheld meters, Snell vs DOT:
http://www.smf.org/docs/articles/dot
Making people aware is always the best solution, not trying to ban/censor.
Based on the number of comments I receive, a fairly high percentage of people buying meters don't know what they mean. Strange with having the internet at your fingertips. But not making the standards available to the public does not help.
If it were important, there would be government funded watchdog groups that spot checked the companies who self certify.
Based on the number of comments I receive, a fairly high percentage of people buying meters don't know what they mean. Strange with having the internet at your fingertips. But not making the standards available to the public does not help.
CAT I
• Protected electronic equipment
• Equipment connected to (source) circuits in which measures
are taken to limit transient overvoltages to an appropriately
low level
• Any high-voltage, low-energy source derived from a high-
winding resistance transformer, such as the high-voltage
section of a copier
.... how is any national organization going to test it? Putting a Hi-Pot tester at the customs office? Order random stuff from AliExpress and test it?
Based on the number of comments I receive, a fairly high percentage of people buying meters don't know what they mean. Strange with having the internet at your fingertips. But not making the standards available to the public does not help.
Not strange.
Even Fluke's basic "ABCs of multimeter safety" says things like:Code: [Select]CAT I
• Protected electronic equipment
• Equipment connected to (source) circuits in which measures
are taken to limit transient overvoltages to an appropriately
low level
• Any high-voltage, low-energy source derived from a high-
winding resistance transformer, such as the high-voltage
section of a copier
Is Joe Public expected to understand that?
What they need is clear advice like "Get CAT III 600V for mains work"
I don't see any reason to go for less when you can get that for $42.
(and I'm sure China could make that for $15 if they had an incentive - all they need to do is remove the current ranges and spend a few cents on making the meter die without drama if overloaded).
Even better, a big colored symbol which indicates "Safe for mains AC" and leave the CAT ratings for the engineers.
Yes, it divides the multimeter world into "mains rated" and "not" but I don't see that as a problem.
Your target audience should be the 10 year old who goes on a take your kid to work day, and gets to be on the factory floor and make some measurements, without supervision.... If you could put it in terms that the video game playing 10 year old understands, I believe you have a hit.
What they need is clear advice like "Get CAT III 600V for mains work"
Surely, at least for those here in the United Kingdom there is no need to use a multimeter on mains supplies which is where most people will come across high energy sources as this link clearly demonstrates.
http://martindale-electric.co.uk/martindale-vi-15000-voltage-indicator-p-1870.html
Using these devices in the link meets all the HSE requirements and also the Wiring Regulations as well as removed the chance of operator error, even if the circuit is live as there is no range switch, or current ranges etc that could be selected. Using these devices will ensure 100% safety for the operators of such equipment, no???
Surely, at least for those here in the United Kingdom there is no need to use a multimeter on mains supplies which is where most people will come across high energy sources as this link clearly demonstrates.
http://martindale-electric.co.uk/martindale-vi-15000-voltage-indicator-p-1870.html
Using these devices in the link meets all the HSE requirements and also the Wiring Regulations as well as removed the chance of operator error, even if the circuit is live as there is no range switch, or current ranges etc that could be selected. Using these devices will ensure 100% safety for the operators of such equipment, no???
You can use such a voltage indicator to check that a circuit has been de-energized, but after that you may need to check continuity or resistance on circuits. That device doesn't say it can test continuity. So what happens if you are testing continuity or resistance with a multimeter and you accidentally test a live circuit?
Thats the whole point, you do not get out the multimeter until you have confirmed that the circuit is dead and isolated safely by padlocking it off. Risk from using multimeter on the wrong range should then be zero. This is indeed what electrical engineers who work on large circuits such as factories etc are trained to do.
Thats the whole point, you do not get out the multimeter until you have confirmed that the circuit is dead and isolated safely by padlocking it off. Risk from using multimeter on the wrong range should then be zero. This is indeed what electrical engineers who work on large circuits such as factories etc are trained to do.
Working in an industrial setting is one thing. But I wasn't thinking of that. I was thinking of working in non-industrial settings like residential buildings and office spaces, HVAC systems and such like. Does your home have multi-padlock safety interlocks? Can you be sure that all the wires in a junction box are on the same breaker? They should be, but there are certain cases in old buildings (and my house) where they aren't.
Thats the whole point, you do not get out the multimeter until you have confirmed that the circuit is dead and isolated safely by padlocking it off. Risk from using multimeter on the wrong range should then be zero. This is indeed what electrical engineers who work on large circuits such as factories etc are trained to do.
Working in an industrial setting is one thing. But I wasn't thinking of that. I was thinking of working in non-industrial settings like residential buildings and office spaces, HVAC systems and such like. Does your home have multi-padlock safety interlocks? Can you be sure that all the wires in a junction box are on the same breaker? They should be, but there are certain cases in old buildings (and my house) where they aren't.
I think that to a large extent the CAT ratings have been used as a marketing tool by some company's even driven by them.
On top of that I have seen many people, who would never ever work on these high energy projects, but they still would rather buy a high CAT rating multimeter.
Revolutionary! The first 4 1/2 digit multimeter with only 4 digits in the display.
If the other specs are as credible, I'll pass on it...
EDIT: I see that they have photos of two slightly different meters in that product description. They seem to have added space for the extra "1" in a revised version.
On top of that I have seen many people, who would never ever work on these high energy projects, but they still would rather buy a high CAT rating multimeter.
Just because it gives a sense of trust I guess. But technically speaking it's absolutely not important.
Most people don't even use their meter for mains power (115/230V)
Revolutionary! The first 4 1/2 digit multimeter with only 4 digits in the display.
If the other specs are as credible, I'll pass on it...
EDIT: I see that they have photos of two slightly different meters in that product description. They seem to have added space for the extra "1" in a revised version.
Here is this?
https://www.banggood.com/ru/ZEAST-282-20000counts-Multimeter-Digital-Professional-Voltmeter-Current-Tester-Auto-True-RMS-p-1175450.html?rmmds=detail-bottom-viewalsoview
https://www.banggood.com/ru/HY-19E-20000-Counts-NCV-Multimeter-AC-DC-Voltage-Current-Resistances-Capacitors-Diodes-Temp-Tester-p-1153062.html?rmmds=detail-bottom-viewalsoview
https://www.banggood.com/ru/ZEAST-HY-19A-6000Counts-Digital-Multimeter-LCD-Backlight-Auto-AC-DC-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Ohm-Resistance-p-1175452.html?rmmds=newArrivals
We're now up to page 15 of that debate in this thread and there are many others.
Is Joe Public expected to understand that?
What they need is clear advice like "Get CAT III 600V for mains work"
Instead tell people "don't touch mains until you've had some minimal proper training," and then you can explain whatever you need about categories along with other essentials like PPE, proper work habits, and so on.