Multimeter spreadsheet (80 manufacturers and over 400 meters listed)

[Wytnucls]

There is a definite connection with Appatech (Ideal), but the specs may be slightly different.
I will also list the Appatech meters for comparison.

Having said that, the HT32 Italia is exactly the same as the Appa 72 and the HT701 is the same as the Appa 607.
The HT401 is closely related to the Ideal 61-486.

Database uploaded with Appa meters details

[Wytnucls]

Interestingly, perhaps not surprisingly, based on the spreadsheet parameters only, the best multimeters are the Fluke 287/289 and the Agilent U1272A and the Amprobe AM160.
All the others meters have at least one flaw or a missing feature to keep them away from the top spot.

[Lightages]

I am a bit lost on how you chose "the best". Could you elaborate? My tired mind can think right now.

[Wytnucls]

I am a bit lost on how you chose "the best". Could you elaborate? My tired mind can think right now.

To put it simply, any meter which has an amber box in the list of features is disqualified.

[BravoV]

Wytnucls, any plan to consider to put the dimension and weight ?

For sure one thing I don't like about my 287, its like holding a real brick, bulky & heavy. 

[Lightages]

OK, then I am confused. I do not understand your criteria for what is an acceptable "hold" function. You list all of the Brymens as not passing this function but the AM160 does? It is a rebranded Brymen.

[Wytnucls]

Correct. I misread the datasheet for the Amprobe as having auto hold, but it hasn't. So the Amprobe is out too.

[Lightages]

You should revise the UT61E then as having an auto-hold, even if it is undocumented.

I would also not be too hard on meters that don't have an auto-hold feature as long as they have a Min/Max feature that can stand in. It is a bit of a work around but in the random circumstance that you need this function is is good enough. JUST my 2 cents.

[Wytnucls]

Wytnucls, any plan to consider to put the dimension and weight ?

For sure one thing I don't like about my 287, its like holding a real brick, bulky & heavy. 

I could, but I don't think weight and dimension is something buyers pay much attention to for electronic work, as it is usually done on the bench. One would get a fair idea from the pictures in the first post anyway.

[Wytnucls]

You should revise the UT61E then as having an auto-hold, even if it is undocumented.

I would also not be too hard on meters that don't have an auto-hold feature as long as they have a Min/Max feature that can stand in. It is a bit of a work around but in the random circumstance that you need this function is is good enough. JUST my 2 cents.

I agree, but it would be a real headache if I have to search for undocumented features and work-arounds. I prefer to stick to the published datasheet as the major reference.

[Wytnucls]

One needs to be aware that a majority of meters don't auto-range in Max/Min mode. You may have to manually select the correct range first before capturing the readings, as an auto-hold substitute. There is also no aural warning when the reading has been captured.

As for the 61E, pressing the Hold button for 2 seconds, activates a 5 second delay before the reading is frozen. No new reading capture is possible until a Hold reset is performed.

[Lightages]

Yes you are right it is not a true auto-hold but the utility is almost the same.

I understand you can't take the time to chase all the undocumented features nor the alternative ways of making a function work. I do think that picking auto-hold as an almost essential feature is a personal preference as well as a PC connection. They are nice to have but don't make or break a meter's usefulness.

I understand the amount of work you have put into this and I appreciate it very much. It is helpful for newbees to know that some of the choices for your ratings are more personal than universal.

Thanks again for the hard work.

[Wytnucls]

We could debate which multimeter functions are important until the cows come home.
The second page of the spreadsheet file is all set for filtering, where people can narrow the field down, based on their preferences, to eventually find their perfect instrument.

[Lightages]

The cows are home, don't worry. I agree with you that all the details are not worth arguing over. That's what was trying to say in my poorly phrased way.

[davidefa]

Thanks for the spreadsheet.
Only a correction: Brymen BM257 has 2 AAA batteries ( and runtime should be 300h )

[Wytnucls]

Thanks, list updated.
I have also added a column for conductance (nS) and burden voltage (when published) as a comment under the uA label.
(burden voltage for lowest uA and mA ranges)

[Wytnucls]

File update with a column for diode open voltage. Shout if you spot any mistakes.

[hammy]

Thank you! 

[iloveelectronics]

We could debate which multimeter functions are important until the cows come home.
The second page of the spreadsheet file is all set for filtering, where people can narrow the field down, based on their preferences, to eventually find their perfect instrument.

Do you have some links to more information on the latest safety regulations regarding DMM's? I didn't want to post in the other sales thread as we have gone a bit off topic there.

[Wytnucls]

The latest regulations (the 3rd edition of EN61010) date from 2010. They were discussed previously when Dave posted some extracts here. It is difficult to obtain the full document on the internet, without parting with a hefty chunk of money.
What has changed recently is that the old second edition is obsolete in Europe, since 1st October 2013 and any new meter for sale now as to comply with the 3rd edition.

In a nutshell, the CAT rating has to be consistent throughout the meter. It affects mostly the current inputs, as the fuses have to be of the HRC type and match the highest CAT voltage. The testing is more stringent on the current jacks, doubling the testing voltage.
Creepage and clearance tolerances have increased too, affecting traces and component placement.

http://www.tracglobal.com/blog/en-61010-12010-now-mandatory
http://www.ul.com/global/ita/pages/offerings/industries/healthsciences/ul61010/
http://www.exveritas.com/en-61010-12001-withdrawn-from-lvd/
http://www.iec-normen.de/217253/iec-61010-2-030-2010-06-ed-1-0-zweisprachig.html

Fluke was certifying products in accordance with the new regulations in 2012:
http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/15B-17B_1beng0000.pdf
http://issaberdeen.co.uk/Fluke/Digital_Multimeters/General_Purpose/Fluke_77_IV_Series_Digital_Multimeter/Manuals_and_Datasheets/77IV__175__177__179_CSA_Certificate_of_Conformity/3126

[Wytnucls]

Heard from Brymen that the BM867s is now available with UL listing, is conforming with the latest safety directives and has the CE logo.
Not sure what the new CAT rating is though.
Hopefully, Amprobe has or will do the same with the AM-140

UL Listing:
Digital multimeters, Model(s) BM201F, BM201X, BM202XF, BM202XX, BM251s, BM252s, BM255s, BM257s, BM521s, BM525s, BM682*, BM685*, BM821s, BM822s, BM827s, BM829s, BM867s, BM869s, BM905AEs, BM905s, BM906AEs, BM906s, BM907AEs, BM907s

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=PICQ.E204990&ccnshorttitle=Measuring,+Testing+and+Signal-generation+Equipment&objid=1074560747&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073991173&sequence=1

[davidefa]

This is an extract of the manual of my new Brymen BM257s ( it is the unit sold by Mimmus )

[Wytnucls]

Thanks, 3 CAT ratings now  :
CAT II 1000V
CAT III 600V
CAT IV 300V

Most manufacturers only mention 2 CAT ratings on their meters, based on the highest transient tested for.

[Wytnucls]

Interesting article about multimeter ADCs and the different methods used to measure voltage:
1. SAR (Successive approximation register)
2. V to F ( Voltage to Frequency)
3. Dual slope - Most Cyrustek machines, like UNI-T 61/71 and FLIR DM93.
4. Sigma Delta - Fluke 179 and probably most other Fluke meters.

http://www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/specs/Analog-to-Digital.pdf

[Wytnucls]

Here is a Chinese manufacturer (All-Sun) I hadn't heard of, even though they have been making some well-known low-cost meters for years:

http://www.all-sun.com/EN/p.aspx?px=1

Some interesting instruments in the line up, the best ones are UL and GS listed.