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Voltage Multimeter Suggestions?
Blanka:
There are Chinese Fluke clones that are really good and do everything for 50$. These have RMS voltage metering, Farad capacitor measurement, frequency measurement etc.
BobA:
--- Quote from: Blanka on September 05, 2011, 02:07:25 pm ---There are Chinese Fluke clones that are really good and do everything for 50$. These have RMS voltage metering, Farad capacitor measurement, frequency measurement etc.
--- End quote ---
I have checked on the model numbers of these units and they are NOT CLONES just Fluke meters that are sold only in the Chinese market. There are a number of reviews on them if you search out these particular models. Clones may not live up to the Fluke standard but these come very close. They are $75 and $94.
Fluke 17b
Fluke 15b
Beley:
If you have about an hour to kill watch this:
http://www.eevblog.com/2010/06/04/eevblog-91-50-multimeter-shootout/
its actually fairly interesting and gives you a good idea about what to look for in a meter.
he also did a $100 meter shootout:
http://www.eevblog.com/2010/07/11/eevblog-99-100-multimeter-shootout-extech-amprobe-bk-precision-ideal-uei-uni-t-part-1of2/
and
http://www.eevblog.com/2010/07/11/eevblog-99-100-multimeter-shootout-extech-amprobe-bk-precision-ideal-uei-uni-t-part-2of2/
MonMotha:
I just looked at my meter and realized it's a 115, not a 114. I think the 114 is the HVAC oriented model with auto AC/DC low-Z, while the 115 has current metering.
The DX ones pictures appear to actually be real Flukes for the China market, but they have lower certifications. Probably good enough for a casual use. They don't do True RMS, and they lack a backlight, min/max, and the fast response bar-graph. They do have smaller (generally more accurate, but check the specs) current measurement ranges and support temperature measurement to the otherwise roughly comparable 114/115. The safety factor on them is lower, but supposedly actually tested, which is better than your $5 cheapies.
Perhaps I'm overly cautious with high-power sources like "the wall" and "giant stacks of batteries"...
migraineman:
Sears actually carries a number of decent meters at reasonable prices. I've bought several with the Type-K thermocouple for temperature measurement. They're usually in the automotive section of the tools department.