Multimeter spreadsheet (80 manufacturers and over 400 meters listed)

• #50 Reply
  Posted by Deckert on 12 Mar, 2014 00:20
• Fantastic job!
  
  Technically the BM867 and BM869 both have auto-hold through the record function (i.e. beeps with every new max and min value). So, to auto-hold, just switch to record, take your measurement, wait for the beep, and look at the max (or min) display. Not sure if the others in the BM range have a record function.
  
  Will you be adding a column for frequency measurement and max frequency it can measure? (not to be confused with the AC/TRMS max bandwidth)
  
  --deckert
  
• #51 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 12 Mar, 2014 01:49
• We could argue till the cows come home about what constitutes a proper auto-hold. Most meters with a Max/Min feature have that work-around too.
  
  All meters have a frequency counter, usually measuring at least 100kHz.
  It would be difficult to put a figure on best performance, as they are so many variables and manufacturers don't always list the full spectrum.
  It is best to consult each datasheet to get a full understanding of capability.
  
  For instance, Amprobe quotes:
  
  Hz line level:
  500mV 100mV 10HZ ~ 200KHZ
  5V 1V 10HZ ~ 200KHZ
  50V 10V 10HZ ~ 100KHZ
  500V 100V 10HZ ~ 100KHZ
  1000V 900V 10HZ ~ 10KHZ
  
  Hz Logic Level Frequency
  5.0000HZ--2.00000MHZ
  
  %DUTY CYCLE
  5HZ -- 500 KHZ, 5V logic family
  
  
• #52 Reply
  Posted by lpc32 on 12 Mar, 2014 19:41
• Thanks for the table!
  
  Why limit to 6000 count and true RMS?
  
  
• #53 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 13 Mar, 2014 02:25
• For several reasons:
  1. True RMS is a must for electronics
  2. Meters starting from 6000 count tend to be better made than the plethora of cheap 4000 count or less meters.
  3. The field is much reduced from that starting point, making the list easier to manage.
  4. I have no interest in lesser meters, with a few exceptions.
  5. Starting from a 6000 count means that some of the meters are still affordable for restricted budgets.
  
  It doesn't mean that the meters that don't qualify for the list are all rubbish.
  
  
• #54 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 13 Mar, 2014 05:36
• As suggested by Deckert, I added an extra column with the max frequency for the frequency counter.
  Although I was reluctant at first, as most meters can do at least 100 kHz, some go way above that. Interestingly, not necessarily the most expensive ones either.
  Anytime a new feature is added, it is a major pain in the backside, as every datasheet has to be revisited.
• #55 Reply
  Posted by iloveelectronics on 13 Mar, 2014 06:03
• Can you also include the Digitek DT-2843R in the list? It's 6000-count and AC+DC TRMS. It is likely the lowest cost AC+DC TRMS meter you can find ($44). Lightages reviewed it on his Youtube channel some time ago.
• #56 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 13 Mar, 2014 06:16
• I would have Franky, but it is only a 4,000 count meter, as far as I know, unless there is a new version??
• #57 Reply
  Posted by iloveelectronics on 13 Mar, 2014 06:59
• Quote from: Wytnucls on 13 Mar, 2014 06:16

  I would have Franky, but it is only a 4,000 count meter, as far as I know, unless there is a new version??
  

  
  Oh, my mistake. I got the count missed up with another Digitek I haven't listed in my store yet...It's the DT-2867.
• #58 Reply
  Posted by smni on 13 Mar, 2014 07:31
• What do you think of adding an "average" column instead of just max/min? I spent quite a bit of time looking for a good meter that had the ability to time average voltage or current in addition to recording max and min. Most (if not all) of the Flukes have it, but for example only the Extech 570 has max/min/averaging capability while the others just measure max/min. Some of the Agilents also have averaging and I'm sure some others do too.
  
  Averaging is desirably for me for measuring low power projects that go into a standby mode most of the time and then wake up and do something quickly then go back to standby. By averaging over several cycles of this, one can estimate average current usage and therefore battery life. This is probably a task better suited for an oscilloscope or other data logger, but I wanted a DMM that could also give me a quick idea.
• #59 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 13 Mar, 2014 07:57
• Sure. I'll just write A in the Max/Min column for 'Average', instead of a tick. I don't need a new column for that.
• #60 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 14 Mar, 2014 05:42
• Update the file with Min/Max details. Also added Digitek and DER-EE relevant meters.
  The filter spreadsheet has been incorporated into the main listing Excel file, as an extra tab.
• #61 Reply
  Posted by mcinque on 14 Mar, 2014 12:07
• +1 for the thread: fantastic!
• #62 Reply
  Posted by majki on 14 Mar, 2014 22:47
• Congratulation, very good collection.
  Please add legend for the colors.
  
  One comment for Fluke 187/189.
  They have Fast Min-Max mode which is actually the Peak mode:
  
  

  Quote

  In ac measurement functions, MAX and MIN values are
  peak values, AVG is the rms value. This provides the
  necessary information in one display for calculation of
  Crest Factor (peak/rms).
• #63 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 15 Mar, 2014 03:44
• Absolutely, Fluke called the peak function a fast Max/Min. File will be corrected soon.
  Color meaning is spelled out in the introductory text.
  
• #64 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 15 Mar, 2014 10:43
• Added pictures of all  the meters listed
  
  
  

  ---

  

  
• #65 Reply
  Posted by lpc32 on 17 Mar, 2014 23:21
• Colorful.
  
• #66 Reply
  Posted by Garron on 21 Mar, 2014 18:08
• Brilliant collation of meters. Really helped with refining my decision making process.
• #67 Reply
  Posted by rivest on 26 Mar, 2014 04:13
• Which DMM can properly test LEDs, ie light them up and show the voltage? I know some of them only go up to 2.5V and some are 4V.
• #68 Reply
  Posted by mariush on 26 Mar, 2014 05:06
• Is it that hard to find and a 1kohm resistor and some power supply (5v+) in your house?  Just put the led in series with the resistor and measure the voltage drop between the anode and cathode of the led.
  
  
• #69 Reply
  Posted by ttp on 26 Mar, 2014 06:11
• Quote from: rivest on 26 Mar, 2014 04:13

  Which DMM can properly test LEDs, ie light them up and show the voltage? I know some of them only go up to 2.5V and some are 4V.
  

  
  Use http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Handy-LED-Tester-Test-Box-2-150mA-for-Light-emitting-Diode-Bulb-Lamp-E0Xc-/161060901609 for LEDs.
• #70 Reply
  Posted by Bobson on 29 Mar, 2014 17:02
• What kind of DUT does Fluke-117 have? I could not find any info.
  
  Fluke's site http://www.fluke.com/fluke/sgen/digital-multimeters/fluke-117.htm?PID=55996 says "VoltAlert™ technology for non-contact voltage detection", "The 117 includes integrated non-contact voltage detection to help get the job done faster." and "Min/Max/Average with elapsed time to record signal fluctuations".
  
  Mine does not have these features. Maybe there is 117 Mk II already?
• #71 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 30 Mar, 2014 08:53
• Using Auto Volts Selection (114 & 117 only)
  With the function switch in the Auto-V/LoZ volt position, the Meter automatically selects a dc or ac voltage measurement
  based on the input applied between the V or + and COM jacks.
• #72 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 31 Mar, 2014 10:07
• New file with some corrections and new column for AC current bandwidth. Also added details for the Voltcraft meters.
• #73 Reply
  Posted by Wytnucls on 07 Apr, 2014 12:43
• New file uploaded with an extra column for highest capacitance (mF) and little known HT Italia DMMs added:
  (See 1st post for latest pictures)
  
  
• #74 Reply
  Posted by Lightages on 07 Apr, 2014 15:16
• Thanks again for continuing to work on this. Those HT meters all look like rebrands.