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Looking for a decent 220VAC multimeter

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moreg:
Hello everyone,
Ultimate newbie here,

I have found that most electricians in my area are criminally incompetent (even less knowledgeable than me), which is crazy considering that I'm a total noob when it comes to electricity.
Because of all the dodgy stuff I happened to witness throughout the years, I turned into a safety maniac (housefires and electrocutions I dread).

I would like to purchase a decent multimeter to check the wiring in my house and the voltages, in an effort to try and understand why some stuff is malfunctioning in the house (light bulbs flickering, power washer struggling, breakers behaving weirdly, etc.)

The official voltage here is supposed to be 220VAC, but we use 230V appliances (european standard), which can cause issues when voltages drop, etc.

From my limited understanding, the best (price/value) multimeter I could find is the Chauvin Arnoux 5233, for about US$181.
I couldn't find any digestable info about this multimeter, but you guys probably know how to decipher the spreadsheet :



Is this multimeter decent enough for what I intend to do?
This is the shop I am considering buying from, they should be selling the real stuff (I'm trying to dodge knockoffs) :
https://www.bricoma.ma/controleur-de-terre-numerique-peakmeter-ref-pm2302-15.html

Here's the full listing of multimeters they sell (2 pages), you guys might see some better options there :
https://www.bricoma.ma/electricite/appareillage-de-mesure.html

Thank you very much,
and have a nice day

Black Phoenix:
Although a DMM would help you measure voltage, check continuities and identify circuits, I would say that an instalation tester would be a better buy, together with a voltage tester/proving unit kit.

Instalations is not only voltage measurement but also insulation testing, earth leakage plus RCBO/RCD testing.

But that above is expensive, even used units.

I would say that insulation meter, as a Fluke 1507 or 1587, would fit mostly 90% of the testing you are gonna do, except RCBO/RCD testing plus earth leakage current.

Also try to see if in your area if there are rental companies of such equipment, since is going to be a seasonal use, so buying one and then selling would be a bad deal in my opinion.

Although still I would say procure a certified electrician. I don't believe that ALL the electricians in your area are that bad.

Fungus:

--- Quote from: moreg on October 08, 2022, 12:32:46 pm ---I would like to purchase a decent multimeter to check the wiring in my house and the voltages, in an effort to try and understand why some stuff is malfunctioning in the house (light bulbs flickering, power washer struggling, breakers behaving weirdly, etc.)

--- End quote ---

Will a multimeter help you understand that?

Those are momentary events that are difficult to measure and are likely to be caused by the wires in your house and/or the supply.


--- Quote from: moreg on October 08, 2022, 12:32:46 pm ---Is this multimeter decent enough for what I intend to do?

--- End quote ---

Yes, but there are much cheaper meters that can do the same job. Is that shop the only place you can buy?

eg. The cheapest 'safe' meter for household mains AC measurement is the Fluke 101. It costs about US$50-US$60 depending on your customs charges.

https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=fluke+101

bdunham7:
Of what you have listed there, I think the Chauvin Arnoux F201 clamp meter is probably your safest bet to start tackling your problems.  The Peakmeter MS2101 is probably fine as well and a better value.  Clamp meters allow you to measure current safely without interrupting the circuit.  Voltage is still measured with traditional test leads.  Best of luck sorting out your electrical gremlins.

Gyro:
I would go for a reasonable two pole mains tester.

- They are at least 300V Cat III rated, normally much higher.
- They always give a voltage indication regardless of switch settings, probe socket mistakes, blown fuse, flat battery etc. (always check them on a known live circuit first though).
- They give you visual and audible indication where you can see it whilst probing... It's virtually impossible to read a dangling DMM whilst concentrating on holding the probes.
- Most decent ones have a mains safe continuity test too (with no on-off switch).
- They tend to be cheaper than a safe DMM (the Fluke 101 comes close in price though).

Buy a set of VDE insulated screwdrivers too. You almost certainly have some loose connections.

As soon as you are unsure of anything, call in a good electrician. There must be some.


EDIT: Some suggestions are the FLuke T90 (perfectly adequate) - T110 - T130 - T150 (the higher models have LCD voltage readout as well as always active LED indicators). There are other brands though, Martindale, Kewtech etc. I'm not sure what is available in Morocco.

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