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Voltcraft VC870 - Any experiences?

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Wytnucls:
This is how I understand this latest CAT rating system works:
At the end of a battery of tests, there is only one CAT rating for the whole meter.
It is derived from the results of two specific tests:
1. Volt/Ohms ranges: High pulsed voltage whose strength varies with CAT rating sought. Damage must be contained inside enclosure.
2. A/mA ranges: Double the CAT rating highest voltage must be applied for one minute to the jacks with ruptured fuses in place to confirm no arcing on fuses, holders, jacks and traces.
The worst results will determine the final CAT rating of the meter and fuses will be chosen to match the final highest voltage rating.
Fuses must be HRC and the amps jacks can't be marked with voltage limits, only amps limits.

So the 61GS was downgraded because it failed to meet requirements for a higher CAT rating.
HRC fuses are not always expensive, especially when bought in bulk.
The highest CAT rating is always sought, as a low rating will affect sales.

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-siba-fuse.html

Lightages:
No,    em132 could be correct. It is possible that the UT61E could meet the higher CAT ratings with the right fuses in place but the bean counters didn't want to raise the cost of the meter to do it. That is also assuming that the different fuses do cost differently enough to make this decision.


But.....

My UT61E has a manufacture year of 2011

The requirements for measuring instruments from the ISA 2004 :
"16.2  Multifunction meters and similar equipment
Multifunction meters and similar equipment shall not cause a HAZARD in any possible combination
of RATED input voltages, and settings of function and range controls. Possible HAZARDS include
electric shock, fire, arcing and explosion.
Conformity is checked by the following test.
The maximum RATED voltage specified for any function is applied to each pair of TERMINALS in
turn, in every combination of function and range controls.The test source connected to the
equipment measuring TERMINALS during this test is limited to3.6 kVA for measurement category I
or measurement category II. For measurement category III or measurement category IV, the test
circuit has to be capable of delivering 30kVA.
During and after the tests, no HAZARD shall arise.
Multifunction meters and similar equipment are to be tested by changing the Function/Range Selector to all
possible settings while connected to the maximum rated source.”

It is obvious that the UT61E cannot meet those specs and never could.

There are requirements for markings too but I need to dig those out too. So maybe it is a fact and not just my opinion.

reference thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/cat-ratings-and-interpretation/

EDIT:
OK, I hijacked this thread a bit in discussing the failings of earlier Uni-Ts. My point has been to say that I would really like to see these new Conrad meters and their interiors. I would be very happy if they are really built correctly. If they are, and to the point of the OP's question, then they might be great meters for their price.

Lightages:
Unless someone buys a VC870, VC880, or VC890, I don't think we will learn much about these things. Conrad declined to send me one for review. Either they are afraid of something, don't think I am worthy of a review sample, or they don't think a review is worth it for them in sales.

Leon:
I have a VC890. Great meter, lovely display with huge viewing angles. Ceramic fuses, battery compartment separated from the rest, unable to open the meter without removing the leads, etc.: it all points to at least a reasonably safe meter.
It measures spot on compared to the Fluke at work, while the price was much lower than the Agilents which in turn cost much less than the Flukes. I bought it because it provides the accuracy I needed for a fair price, along with an uA range for electronics, a good display plus an (almost) free clamp meter add-on for measurements on my PV installation at home. So for me it's like a Swiss army knife type of DMM.

What I didn't like were the test leads that are included: they're almost certainly made for electric work instead of for the electronics I wanted to use them for. A replacement set with finer tip solved that problem.

Lightages:
Leon:

Any chance of you doing a mini-review and/or tear down so we can see how this thing works and is built?

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