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Recommendations for a DMM

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Steve Conner

Fri Jan 06 2012, 09:26AM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

I prefer if that can be done with the test leads, but it tends to restrict the range of measurement. For instance the Fluke meters have a resolution of 1nf, but my old, cheapo Altai meter with the capacitor socket has a resolution of 1pF, and can measure 10s of pF usefully.

I think the reason is that the test lead inputs need protection networks (MOVs, TVS and so on, in case you accidentally probed high voltage with the meter set to the capacitance range) and these networks add a lot of stray capacitance.

The little holes in the panel aren't protected, so you could conceivably blow up the meter by poking a charged capacitor into them.

radiotech

Fri Jan 06 2012, 10:03PM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

The question about using the the two common +, - jacks for capacitance, for
values down to smallest values, might depend, (for convenience), on whether or
not the meter has a auto null, or relative function.

With, this, you would first zero the display, then put the capacitor in . Same applies,
if the leads are used. Zero them, then attach capacitor.

Many Dmms have this this for capacitance as well as auto zeroing for ohm meter.
In this case, the zero is with leads shorted.

Pinky's Brain

Sun Jan 15 2012, 04:04PM

Registered Member #2901 Joined: Thu Jun 03 2010, 01:25PM
Location:
Posts: 837

Are there any cheap 4 point LCR meters? The cheap LCR meters have something like +/-3%+10 precision at 1 uH resolution which is a bit meh.

So far I have found the MW1008 kit, MS5308 and TH2821 on the "cheap" end ... but at near 200 Euros still a bit pricey.

Dr. Who

Wed Jan 18 2012, 11:52PM

Registered Member #326 Joined: Sat Mar 18 2006, 01:12PM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 66

mzincali wrote ...

Are there many DMMs that can do volt and current at the same time? i.e. there is a pair of leads for input and a pair for output?

A much cheaper and more flexible approach is to use two multimeters.

I have a Fluke 177 at work, where measurements are almost entirely low voltage.

At home I use a Soar 4020 - a good quality 20 year old autoranging DMM, and a cheapo analog meter whenever there's a risk of blowing up the meter.

Shrad

Thu Jan 19 2012, 03:12PM

Registered Member #3215 Joined: Sun Sept 19 2010, 08:42PM
Location:
Posts: 780

I use a cheapo classic 0-10A 0-600V meter for general work, and my other multimeter is an APPA one, very rugged and solid, and of really nice quality

it even measures frequency accurately up to 200kHz

I think it is a really good alternative to fluke and other expensive brands (approx half the price for a similar quality, for me)

jpsmith123

Thu Jan 19 2012, 05:23PM

Registered Member #1321 Joined: Sat Feb 16 2008, 03:22AM
Location:
Posts: 843

Does anyone here have a Mastech MS8226T multimeter?

I'm considering buying one - but not until I see some more detailed specs. For example they advertise it as having "true RMS" capability, but they don't want to say what the measurement bandwidth is. And I can't find a manual to download anywhere.

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