Products > Test Equipment
Vichy VC99 Multimeter Review and Teardown
rolycat:
--- Quote from: pascal_sweden on May 04, 2015, 09:41:17 pm ---If HRC fuses are that much better, can't you just replace the glass ones in a normal meter with HRC fuses of the same size and ratings? Or is there something special there that would make this not possible?
--- End quote ---
A normal meter has HRC fuses. IEC regulations now require them in all new meters.
Replacing the glass fuses in cheap meters is possible - you can get 1500A breaking capacity HRC fuses in the 20x5mm size. They are highly unlikely to meet this specification if fitted in such a meter, though. If you are intending to work with high energy circuits it would be better to save your money and put it towards a safe meter.
pascal_sweden:
Interesting question: How much extra would a Chinese multimeter cost, when they make the design more safe? Let's say the price to make something safe is 100 USD, then the Chinese companies would still be able to provide a competitive product, given that their meter costed 25 USD before, and would now cost 125 USD. They could make a "gold" edition of their multimeter :)
johansen:
it would cost whatever it takes to redesign the injection mold.. considering they probably stole it from someone else.
it would cost whatever it takes to redesign the circuit board to provide room for a proper fuse.
and it would cost 2$ more for a fuse.
maybe another 10 cents for some movs and better resistors.
pascal_sweden:
So that really confirms that the A-brands are overpriced.
Basically you can make the safest digital multimeter in the world for only 50 USD.
I wonder what the big companies have to say over that? Maybe it's time that their Royal Reign is over.
rolycat:
--- Quote from: pascal_sweden on May 13, 2015, 10:33:24 am ---So that really confirms that the A-brands are overpriced.
Basically you can make the safest digital multimeter in the world for only 50 USD.
I wonder what the big companies have to say over that? Maybe it's time that their Royal Reign is over.
--- End quote ---
Tosh.
As johansen pointed out, they could make a somewhat safer meter by copying features from a decent brand, but it's not going to be "the safest in the world", and certainly not for $50.
Chinese companies competing principally on cost will always skimp on safety, build quality and anything else they can get away with.
If you want a safe, well engineered multimeter without paying the "Fluke premium", buy a Brymen. They are even Chinese, albeit the Republic of China.
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