| Products > Test Equipment |
| Fluke 15B multimeter, is it safe? |
| (1/4) > >> |
| gwet:
I am thinking about buying a Fluke 15B multimeter (link 1, link 2). I am a beginner and it would be my first multimeter btw ;) At first I was going to buy a very cheap multimeter ($10-$30) but I saw that Fluke. Is it safe? Can I test a car battery or measure mains voltage (230V)? I have read this review about the Fluke 17B but for me it is unclear what can be tested with the multimeter. Any advice would be welcome! |
| Kiriakos-GR:
Why you do not reading the manual of it , at the Fluke web site. And if you still have questions , to openly talk about it here !! |
| gobblegobble:
Kiriakos apparently haven't done background research and is going by the instict, which I'll have to admit works surprisingly ofter just not now. 15B/17B/18B are China-only models and aren't sold anywhere else. Not to mention the box has huge text in it which states "NOT FOR SALE OUTSIDE OF CHINA". Technically no-one is breaking the law since you are buying the meter from china but I wouldn't count on warranty service outside of China. Although if you buy from a reputable reseller you should be able to send it back if problems arise. Facts you should note about the meter before buying to name a few (I was considering buying one myself, and still am). - It's a genuine Fluke, so quality-vice it should be head and shoulders above the cheapest meters - Is is not cat-rated very high: catII 600 volts isn't much to call home about, although quite sufficient for a hobbyist use. - It's not tested by any western third party like UL or such, but does seem to have a Chinese third-party test approval - The accuracy and functions aren't anything to call home about either, albeit probably sufficient for hobbyist use - You can't find a mention about it from anywhere at Fluke's english site and only manuals I've come across are english service manual and chinese user manual (I believe I have a copy of both if anyone needs). - You can buy a brand name product for less at equal specs or better (check Dave's $50 and $100 shootouts) In conclusion: yes it should be safe and yes you should be able to measure mains at the wall outlet and car batteries without risk. |
| saturation:
There is a detailed discussion of the 17B here. About it accuracy: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=896.msg11445#msg11445 The whole thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=896.msg15566#msg15566 The review you linked is quite fair, and I agree with the blogs conclusion. It should be adequate for use at most from mains voltage coming from an electrical socket to plugged in devices and then, battery powered items. I didn't know it was not certified by a well known third party for safety, the safety certification for China is called CCC, so even as a typo this is strange. Note CAT II 600V is the same as CAT III 300V in terms of maximum input voltage and transient protection.[ corrected see discussion above] Have you seen Dave's review of DMM? He tested both $50 and $100 DMM and I agree 100% with his conclusions. http://www.prweb.com/releases/multimeter-review/comparison/prweb4237464.htm |
| Kiriakos-GR:
gobblegobble are you always overreacting , or you do that just for me ? If some one cares to buy the Chinese version of a Fluke , he goes for information at the Chinese site too. Its simple as that . And save all those rants about blaming anything Chinese .. Every one item - multimeter - device - what ever ... gets an evaluation as product. And not because of the flag on it . I hate the flag wars , but if any one start any , I will always support the Chinese side , just for the fun of it. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |