Products > Test Equipment
Choosing a multimeter - decisions.... decisions....
kayasaman:
Lots more really great suggestions!! :)
Though I'm finding that it's adding to my confusion... in terms of which brand and model
This confusion is probably down to me not having any experience with modern up to date meters so there are a lot of small personal preferences and details that people have which I am over looking. Sort of like buying a car, they all drive (hence my need for a DMM) but they handle completely differently and feel different inside; not to mention equipment levels.
Based on the advice from @nightfire I took a look at Hioki and Gossen Metrawatt
The Hioki 4282 mentioned is around $400 so that's not too bad
I have no idea which model of Gossen but I had a look at the METRAHit 2+ which is around $300, and also some even cheaper models down at the $200 and sub range too. I didn't look at specs but just pricing as I was expecting something in the region of $1500+
The Hioki's seem to have a combined uA and A input - is this ok? Just as the video from David I posted above seems to suggest otherwise...
One thing I do like between the Hioki and Gossen is that they have connector protectors which stops you from inputting the probe lead into the wrong socket.
This might actually be a useful feature for me in the long run. I actually do suffer from hyper anxiety among other issues causing me to go totally blank very quickly almost like a computer crash in terms of full on freeze. It's why I found it so hard to explain things in my initial post and actually got worried that I might start to test peoples patience by sounding like a total dork :(
Here is a current use case of mine where a meter is definitely going to help out a lot:
One of the LED strips that I wired up a few years back was working perfectly fine until a few days ago where I noticed that one of the channels (the cool one) was actually illuminated only dimly. It's a 24V strip that uses PWM as dimming control, I can't remember if it's the voltage or current that's varied to set the levels as they are two types with one being the most common.
Today I reversed the input supply, meaning I took out the wires from the PWM module and instead tested by using a different power supply from the other end of the strip (don't try this at home kids ;) ):
The channel lit up brightly so no problems with the strip at all!
This is how it looks right now when connected to the PWM module:
That's set to 100% brightness
There are other strips wired to the same module output in parallel using their own cables all connected to a Phoenix Contact PTFix connector block:
So not being able to test anything like this properly is frustrating to say the least.
My hunch is that the copper cores of the input feed have oxidized which was the case on the other side of the wall where we had a issue with damp.
It would still be better for me to be able to test the current flowing through to make sure that the output channel of the PWM module hasn't blown slightly causing a reduction in output current spec, or if somehow there is a short between +V and 0V, and also check the voltage to see that there is no volt drop in the circuit.
Just now having checked the Gossen World DMM: https://www.gmc-instruments.de/en/products/measuring-and-test-technology/multimeters-and-handheld-calibrators/basic-digital-instruments/metrahit-world/
it has a 6000 count display, 3V diode tester (which is probably going to be useful for testing the 3.3V LED's I use as power indicators. Price wise it's sort of between $450-500 which is ok but a little light when compared to the count of the Bergman and Hioki meters.
If I was buying on aesthetics alone then I must admit that I do like the Gossens the best :D
Fungus:
--- Quote from: kayasaman on November 13, 2022, 06:31:28 pm ---One thing I do like between the Hioki and Gossen is that they have connector protectors which stops you from inputting the probe lead into the wrong socket.
--- End quote ---
Brymens don't have those physical protectors but they beep loudly at you if the lead is in the wrong socket for the selected range.
Even so: The golden rule of measuring current is to always use the 10A range - the 10A range will usually have mA resolution and 10A fuses are relatively difficult to blow around the house (even if you short out mains AC your circuit breakers will probably be faster than the fuse).
Only use the mA/uA ranges if you've already tried the 10A range and have seen that it's safe.
( Cue all the people who blow 10A fuses on a daily basis... :popcorn: )
nightfire:
Well, the Metrahit 2+ is a quit basic multimeter, where I suspect it simply exists so that Gossen Metrawatt can claim that they also have something in the basic area- in this regard there are lots of other brands that offer a better bang for buck, unless you are an industrial user and need lots of papertrail including calibration certificates. Gossen Metrawatt DMMs really shine above the 500 € mark, where there are functions inside for very special applications, like isolation testers for telecommunication cabling etc.
When working a lot with PWM signals, it would be useful if the DMM has a duty cycle measuring option available, which would point to the pricier models.
Aaaand: When working a lot in cabinets, some hanger option is very nice to get the hands free- I basically love my Fluke 179 at work for the magnetic hanger option. In my opinion so far the best implementation I have come across.
(Ok, haven't seen the Hioki or Brymen versions, but lots of stuff elsewhere)
kayasaman:
I think I need to rule out Hioki :( :(
I'm not sure how readily available it is locally. Sure I can get it from one of the big electronics suppliers like RS, Farnell, Mouser but that's gona be it I think....
It's a shame because they have very decent specs after checking the models suggested above.
One options could be the Yokogawa TY720/710 models. From what I can tell, they are mid price range devices but have lots of features and good certification for working with higher voltage levels:
https://tmi.yokogawa.com/solutions/products/portable-and-bench-instruments/digital-multimeters/ty720-digital-multimeter/
the display count is 50k with pretty decent accuracy too.
Actually I thought I would have to rule out Gossen too but they do seem to be available locally. Looking at pricing and features of course, the Metrahit AM Pro looks ok but as @nightfire has just suggested, the functionality maybe basic for the price. Yep they have lots of very expensive specialist equipment and even one device which is certified by AIRBUS.
Here's the link: https://www.gmc-instruments.de/en/products/measuring-and-test-technology/multimeters-and-handheld-calibrators/digital-multimeters/universal-multimeters/metrahit-am-series/metrahit-am-pro/
Now depending on local availability I guess the shortlist becomes something like this:
* Brymen Bm789
Brymen Bm869s
Brymen Bm817s
Yokogawa TY710
Yokogawa TY720
Hioki DT4282
Gossen (model undecided)
Fluke (model undecided)
*
Just checking one store, the brands listed of portable models are stuff like Amprobe, TTi, and Megger. Another store has stuff like Chauvin Arnoux, Exatech, Kewtech, Metrel, DiLog, and Uni-T; the only brand that is big that they have is Fluke <- just adding here that the 114 and 115 pics look quite cute in that the meters are really compact
It seems like Teledyne seems to be carried by a few people too....
^
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Call the above "market research" if you like lol.... basically it's me trying to find out and understand what's around. I guess most of you guys would stay well away from many of the brands these specialized test equipment stores carry :P
nightfire:
To which country/region the devices would have to be shipped?
Sometimes some international shipping company could help out, for example welectron in germany is quite known for this.
Regarding the Gossen Metrahit AM Pro: What you get is a very solid DMM, that comes with 3 years warranty and factory calibration and certificate, accredited to DaKKS- some official standard. Means that you can directly use it to do densitive work where you are required to produce a papertrail.
Also very good base accuracy of 0.05% VDC with 12000 counts.
I had the opportunity to have a look at the insides of a sibling (a Metrahit Extra), that is mechanically similar that we have/had at work, but suffered from battery leakage. Mechanically very solid and nice, and about those is an older video on the eevblog youtube channel.
But to be fair, its like the Fluke DMMs: You get a very solid device with a papertrail, but as a home user probably never will use those perks to the fullest.
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