EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Electronics => Repair => Topic started by: limbwal on December 28, 2017, 07:24:24 am

Title: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: limbwal on December 28, 2017, 07:24:24 am
I just got my meter about a month ago and I went to measure current, and I can't on the milli or micro amp range, only on the higher amperage range, everything else looks fine. I took it apart and I can't see anything obvious. I didn't take the panel off so I might be missing something. Anyone know what this might be? Or, what my best course of action going forward would be? Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: EEVblog on December 28, 2017, 07:28:59 am
Check the fuse.
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: ivi_yak on December 28, 2017, 04:41:52 pm
 :-/O
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: limbwal on December 28, 2017, 06:14:06 pm
would that be a possible issue even if voltage measurements are working? Aren't they on the same fuse?
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: retiredcaps on December 28, 2017, 06:15:42 pm
The fuses in the meter only protects the uA/mA and A range.  The fuse is not required for volts or ohms measurement. 

Your mA fuse is likely blown (open).
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: limbwal on December 28, 2017, 06:20:25 pm
Yes - thank you I see that now - I checked the fuse and it is indeed blown   :palm: - where can I get a good quality replacement?
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: ivi_yak on December 28, 2017, 06:43:28 pm
you can use piece of wire
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: tautech on December 28, 2017, 06:48:10 pm
Yes - thank you I see that now - I checked the fuse and it is indeed blown   :palm: - where can I get a good quality replacement?
Normally we'd point you to Daves shop but he's out of stock ATM.
https://www.eevblog.com/product/multimeter-fuse-pack/ (https://www.eevblog.com/product/multimeter-fuse-pack/)

He does sell DMM's on Amazon, check there to see if they're holding stock.
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: Dubbie on December 28, 2017, 07:01:49 pm
I am sure Dave will sort something out for you if it arrived open circuit.
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: Gyro on December 28, 2017, 07:56:42 pm
you can use piece of wire

No, you can't just use a piece of wire!  >:(

The next time the OP makes a mistake he could damage his meter, or his meter and himself, depending on the power source!
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: Electro Detective on December 29, 2017, 11:21:11 pm
Good ol  'use a wire or small calibre bullet'  jokes  ;D

Big NO on that!!!  :o     

Get the correct fuse and spares (!)

AFAIK you should still be able to use the meter safely for everything except current measurements in the meantime  :-+

Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: Neomys Sapiens on December 29, 2017, 11:30:47 pm
Good ol  'use a wire or small calibre bullet'  jokes  ;D

Big NO on that!!!  :o     

Get the correct fuse and spares (!)

AFAIK you should still be able to use the meter safely for everything except current measurements in the meantime  :-+
When I read the post with the piece of wire first, I thought of answering that one of us should drop by and replace all the fuses in the poster's home with pieces of wire (or solid metal).
Then I saw where he comes from and suddenly recognized that this has been probably already done.
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: Yansi on December 29, 2017, 11:35:57 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5qcnNgpyik (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5qcnNgpyik)

They also did a video sticking a bullet into a fuse holder in a car. Some bullets got shot there! But can't find the video on youtube :-(
Title: Re: EEVBlog meter - micro amp range broken
Post by: Electro Detective on December 30, 2017, 01:42:22 am
The jumpwire thing or soldering a wire across blown fuse, or jamming in a glass fuse cheapie, ALL THREE FIXES HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED  may work for a responsible user with an inline external fuse/s of a similar value or lower,
to ensure a fast blow if a low current test goes south as they can do sometimes x lots...

WITH reminders on the meter to replace the fuse ASAP or yesterday

Fused leads are a winner too but ONLY if correct value HRC fuses fitted for the application at hand,  otherwise the meter PCB becomes the fuse 


LOL, please ignore this comment based on optimism   ::)   and just fit the correct fuse in the meter   :-DMM


Best to avoid Murphy scenarios and subsequent upcoming 2018 Darwin Awards as much as possible   >:D