You can choose between a cheap standard glass fuse rated for mains voltage and intended to be used in your common electronics device, and an expensive DMM fuse rated for 1000V and able to break high currents while preventing splinters of glass all over the place. If you're just working with low voltages and currents the standard glass fuse is ok but you should put a sticker on the DMM stating that in case someone else uses the DMM, so he won't trust the CATIII or whatever rating printed on the DMM. And remember, cheap DMMs got cheap fuses.
Yeah, around here nobody else is even going to touch it though, so no real need to mark it. I still plan on the upgrade.
The worst part is that the 10 amp fuse is also a glass 5x20mm one. I can't see the 500ma shattering but this one, yes. I found a ceramic one from an old meter that is good though, so I'll toss that in with the new 500ma one until I can mod it.
Reckless actions should never be wrapped in a protective shroud labeled "he is just learning". Recklessness is characterized by indifference to danger and acting without forethought. Quick searches of Youtube videos show this to be true.
Unfortunately, recklessness has a spectrum which includes both blowing 500ma fuses and, at the opposite end, the loss of human life. You have already blown the fuse. You have already moved further up the spectrum by rationalizing how YOU don't need the safety fuses inside your meter. Please consider re-evaluating any attitude which enables further movement upward in this spectrum.
Consider the responses to your post to be genuine concern for your safety and continued success in your future endeavors. Don't lightly brush off suggestions or corrections with which you may not agree and attribute them solely to someone's "hate boner" toward you.
If I read correctly, the OP, with the meter with the blown fuse in question, was NOT looking to replace the fuse with a bodge. He was merely trying to start a conversation as to why fuses are so damned expensive, for what they are. Sheesh.
@mariush: In no way was the OP being Reckless in his work. He had the meter on the current on the highest level and worked down when he wasn't getting a reading, obviously assuming that there was less current flowing then he thought. He didn't know that there was a significant break in a wire that was open-circuiting. For all we know the guy was measuring current from a simple 9V battery, which is more then able to output 500mA
Added to that. I would call a $5 fuse replacement a better lesson then a $100+ meter replacement, plus whatever medical bills would come with that.
Obviously mariush/Joule Thief you think that anyone with a lower knowledge base then you should not be allowed to start to learn anything electronic. I believe you will have a busy life ahead of you, with all that travelling around the world to judge every Tom, Dick and Harry that wants to plug a cable in anywhere.
Thank you, I don't know where he got the idea that I was saying that I don't need a fuse.
I was going to suggest home depot $3.74 for a pair 0.5A, 250V, 5x20mm, fast blown:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cooper-Bussmann-GMA-Series-500-mA-Silver-5mm-x-20mm-Fuses-2-Pack-BP-GMA-500MA/100149086
mouser search for the same part for datasheet:
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=BP-GMA-500MA
Edit: but not sure if Home Depot operates in Canada, I'm assuming it does.
They do, but I don't know if thy have those here, anyways home depot is a similar trip so I'll just get the ones for 66 cents. At least those ones are in a two pack.