Author Topic: What is you ideal continuity tester? (Read 7492 times)

ddavidebor · « **on:** July 16, 2013, 10:32:41 pm »

The question is simple.

For me it nees selectable threshold, selectable max voltage, nice buzzer, maiby selectable frequency.

Light segnalation, maiby blinker.
A little led for light the zone

Must fit nice in the hand, and have interchangeable second probe

For you?

Dave · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:36:25 pm »

Latching beeper, fast response. My 87V has both.

notsob · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:41:15 pm »

Have a look at kripton's collection of continuity tester circuits

http://kripton2035.free.fr/continuity-repos.html

MetraCollector · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:58:13 pm »

I am satisfied with my Ag 34401A.

Time ago I used MY64.

free_electron · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:00:20 pm »

2 wires with 220 volts ac across them. sparks : contact

AG6QR · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:49:06 pm »

I use a continuity to get a yes/no answer to whether two things are connected, so I don't need adjustable voltage, threshold, etc.

I do like the latching beeper and fast reaction of both of my Flukes, my 179 and 16. I also like the fact that they use low enough voltage so as not to send semiconductor junctions into conduction, so they don't indicate continuity through diodes and transistors.

I like the V-Check feature of my Fluke 16. If I accidentally connect it to a voltage source of more than 4.5V (AC or DC), it will switch to voltage measurement mode and display the voltage. Without causing any damage whatsoever to the meter.

SLJ · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2013, 12:08:54 am »

I use a 87V but thought you might enjoy seeing this early one from the 1920s in my collection:

If the red dot moves out of the window you have continuity.

Here are the instructions: http://www.stevenjohnson.com/pics/testometer-inst.jpg

zaoka · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2013, 01:14:33 am »

Old analog Triplett meter is my favorite.

Neilm · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:24:28 pm »

Fast response for a buzzer is a must.

I saw a meter many years ago that played a tune (don't remember or care what) but it took about 5 seconds to begin playing. The only use for the meter was that when it was turned "off" the display stayed active with a clock that was reasonably accurate.

Neil

ddavidebor · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:27:39 pm »

agilent now do a multimeter with a tune that indicate the resistance

c4757p · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:32:19 pm »

Tune or tone? I think tone. Though I could see a case for (2.3) Ohm on the (10R) Range.

ddavidebor · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:42:23 pm »

yeah yeah tone bad english

c4757p · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:46:20 pm »

If I understand correctly, I think Neilm's tester actually played a tune...

Dave · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2013, 07:39:03 pm »

Yeah, Agilent U123xA meters can do that. The pitch of the tone depends on the resistance they measure. It's annoying as f*ck, though. I just have it set to a constant pitch.
The power-on tune was also annoying, I disabled it the first day I got that meter. I don't know what the hell Agilent were thinking when they implemented that tune.

Aside from that, it's a really good meter. The measurements are spot on and you can disable the auto power-off function.

komet · « **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2013, 07:47:11 pm »

I'd like my continuity meter to measure continuity between the points I intended to touch with the probes, rather than the rather old-fashioned standard of the points I actually did touch. GET ON WITH IT FLUKE

ben_r_ · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2013, 09:13:57 pm »

Any of the ones built into any of my DMMs...

Phaedrus · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2013, 09:17:11 pm »

One that goes "beep" when it detects continuity between the leads.

Tube_Dude · « **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2013, 09:25:56 am »

Quote from: zaoka on July 17, 2013, 01:14:33 am

Old analog Triplett meter is my favorite.

For me too...

deephaven · « **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2013, 10:23:32 am »

My vote is for my beloved Polar Toneohm 550. It's tone varies in frequency as the resistance changes and is great for tracking down those elusive shorts on a PCB.

KedasProbe · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2013, 04:10:50 pm »

ideal:
be able to set current and max voltage.
fast obviously, and a tone that gives you info about the voltage value. freq == voltage

c4757p · « **Reply #20 on:** July 18, 2013, 04:16:47 pm »

Quote from: deephaven on July 18, 2013, 10:23:32 am

My vote is for my beloved Polar Toneohm 550. It's tone varies in frequency as the resistance changes and is great for tracking down those elusive shorts on a PCB.

Oh, that is just beautiful. Hmm..... I am a massive cheapass, so I don't think I'm going to spend money on a continuity tester, but I think you've just added one more weekend project to my long list...

Bloch · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2013, 04:20:50 pm »

Quote from: KedasProbe on July 18, 2013, 04:10:50 pm

ideal:
be able to set current and max voltage.
fast obviously, and a tone that gives you info about the voltage value. freq == voltage

Voltage up to 1000V so it can be used as a megger

Current up to 1000A so it can be used to test bus-bar / connection

Last but not least adjustable sound level

Tooms · « **Reply #22 on:** July 18, 2013, 05:00:12 pm »

Hi guys

I am in the process of writing a review of the Fluke CNX multimeter and has just tested the continuity tester function on it and compairing it to other meters.

I have tested the shortest time for an good beep and here is the results..

Fluke 179_____________________0.49 ms
Fluke CNX 3000 Multimeter_______0.68 ms
Fluke 789_____________________0.88 ms
Fluke 287_____________________1.17 ms
Fluke T5-1000_________________4.05 ms
Fluke 27_____________________69.05 ms
Fluke 8846A__________________79.06 ms

I dont have a 87V so i can test that time, sorry.

Tooms

olsenn · « **Reply #23 on:** July 18, 2013, 05:05:08 pm »

My ideal continuity tester is one where god speaks to my inner conscience telling me "they are one"

ddavidebor · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2013, 05:10:07 pm »

Quote from: Bloch on July 18, 2013, 04:20:50 pm

Quote from: KedasProbe on July 18, 2013, 04:10:50 pm
ideal:
be able to set current and max voltage.
fast obviously, and a tone that gives you info about the voltage value. freq == voltage

Voltage up to 1000V so it can be used as a megger

Current up to 1000A so it can be used to test bus-bar / connection

Last but not least adjustable sound level

That's a good idea.


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Author Topic: What is you ideal continuity tester? (Read 7492 times)

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