NEWBIE: Multitester Opinions and some other questions

Fluke 87 for the multimeter. Save yourself some money and try the pawn shops first, if not there then go to ebay

Any of the Fluke 87 is fine? I saw fluke87V, fluke 87V-EX, etc.

Go with the standard 87V (the V indicates it is the fifth generation of the 80 series). The EX model is the same meter, but it comes with a bunch of fancy test leads that you can buy piecemeal as you need them.

Correction: the EX model is an intrinsically safe version for use in explosive environments. If there is a need for that, make your employer supply the proper safety equipment; don't spend your own money on such a specialized piece of equipment unless you have no choice. (It is the AEK that comes with all the fancy test leads.)

Yes, I bought a used Fluke 87 recently for $75 US.

Fluke does make very good multimeters.

Stupid name for an instrument company though

Does anyone know the name of a an instrument/equipment that can be used to study and simulate different situations on AC/DC diagram? It is like a chess board with many hole. I have used one of those before on laboratory classes at the former University I attended. Someone know what that is called and where to buy it? How much is it her in the US?

I believe this is what you're looking for:

It's called a breadboard (or, more properly, a prototyping board). RadioShack has them for $15-25, depending on the size you want.

I also vote for the Fluke 87 - it should meet your needs for many years.

Thanks! That is the one I am looking for. Does it include all the things that you put on those hole?

I have used a Fluke T5-600 for the last 10 years and am very happy with the build quality! Only problem with them is the continuity beep stops working after a few months! ( same thing happened to the 2nd one as well)

The things, or as we prefer to call them components you will need to buy separately if you want to make your own circuits! Otherwise buy a kit which has a bag of components included! And start collecting little bits of electric cable!

I agree about the T5-600. I traded up to the T5-100 good beep for three years now..My "other meter is a Flute 878" for 4-20mv measuring and generation.

goto radio shack, they have any components you may need.. ie.. resistors, capacitors, etc...

Fluke makes a great meter, no doubt about it, but they are overpriced in my book.

http://www.newark.com/26K9249/test-measurement-equipment/product.us0?sku=EXTECH-INSTRUMENTS-EX410

I've used them all, but for $40 this one's hard to beat!

I agree: why spend $500 on a meter when you can get an adequate one for $40.

When John Fluke started his company he used to keep a meter in his office, if anyone was proposing to buy several, he used to hurl it at the wall, and, say if it doesn't still work, don't buy any. Definitely a company founded on quality, with a very good reputation, and, if you buy their meters for your company you won't get the sack. But times have moved on a bit:-

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/search.aspx?C=3830503&M=01001018%20%20&K=

I've got several of the $20 72-7935: it's small enough to fit in your shirt pocket; has 3 3/4 digit (4000 count) resolution (not accuracy, but, I've never come across a situation where that matters), and does capacitance up to 200 µF. It doesn't do current, but there are plenty here that do.

I've also got an old meter with H_fe which has come in handy from time to time, but, why would you buy a meter with frequency measurement if you've got access to a scope?

Has anyone on this thread ever seriously used the frequency measurement capability of a hand held DMM?

"Has anyone on this thread ever seriously used the frequency measurement capability of a hand held DMM?"

I've had a Wavetek 25XT (now discontinued, but superseded by similar meters) for about 5 years.

Hasn't been calibrated since new, but compares very well against calibrated bench instruments. No complaints. A lot cheaper than a Fluke.

I've used the frequency measurement range a few times, but not seriously (i.e. mostly in lash-ups). As you suggest, a 'scope is generally more useful for frequency, but as I've only got heavy old bench 'scopes (which I don't carry around much!), it can be handy for a quick check.

With respect to your question about the "frequency" measurement ability...

Yes, I have used it many times and most people who work on systems powered by diesel gens sets , I'm willing to bet, have also done so.

In the region I have responsibility for, all of our power is supplied by diesel. Instability of the frequency of the power delivered to the grid is a relatively common issue. So... we check it by times. Especially when we get complaints of clocks, old 120 volts ones - usually in schools, that speed up.

I will agree though, that our situation is out of the norm.

Regards !

I agree about the quality of products, but With apology I add:

Late in 1990s they were doing some tricks in spare parts:

I demanded the main IC of one of the models DMM, they quoted too high !!!

I tried to replace the IC from other source which didn't worked.

I looked into the circuit & IC's suplies & it was revealed that the IC's pins had been formed to reverse side.

I did the same & worked.

Although Fluke supports its producks fully, I agree.

Just for your info.

A bit of an extension to CSM Engineer's suggestion (#3) is this:

It's the same sort of thing, but mounted on a box containing fixed +5Vdc and independently variable +5 to +15 and -5 to -15Vdc supplies. I've been using one for years for all sorts of lash-ups. I'm sure there are lots of similar things around, but this one is from RS Components, order no. 489-100

Yes, those are very cool. I've even seen them with integrated function generators and oscilloscopes. One-stop bench test rig!

I use Fluke 187. Has min/max memory, backlight, 5 digits, warning for wrong leads connection, beep and inverted beep (beeps when contact is open), long life for battery...

Really : I love it !

I also use Fluke 192B (digital oscilloscope) -> fantastic instrument !

Plain and simple I agree with the bulk of posters in this thread.

I have always bought and always will buy Fluke meters.

I have dropped mine from a 12 foot ladder had it backed over by a truck and covered in water, oil, metal shavings and other various debris. It still works after 3 years of this kind of abuse.

Yes I work in harsh environments. Thats why I buy Fluke meters. They will take a beating. The only reason I have had to buy new meters is from error on my part.

So again Fluke... By far the best in my humble opinion.

It has been about 1,000 years ago but for you guys with Fluke meters with broken beeps, send them back to Fluke. Their service is top notch. You will have it back very quickly with little or no charge. Of course back in my day there was only one "good" multimeter. Simpson, yes dear hearts a real live analog Simpson meter. I still prefer it for many measurements such as when the signal is slowly varying. It is much easier to watch that big old needle swing across the face of the meter than try to divine what a bunch of flashing numbers are trying to tell you... Buy one of each a nice analog meter and a digital, you will not be sorry.

I cut my teeth on a Simpson 260 (figuratively speaking). There are still times I wish I still had one, as well.

I have owned three brands of meter in my 32 years (has it really been that long?) in the trade. Those were Triplett, Simpson and several Flukes.

The Triplett once fell off of a catwalk in a boiler room and fell 30 feet to the cement floor. It had the Triplett leather case that attached to the meter housing. While the bakelite case was shattered into about 10 sections, the meter worked fine. The case was glued back to gether and the meter still works great nearly 30 years later.

The Simpson, a very old 260, was bought off of a retiring journeyman as a second year apprentice, has just worn out from use and the selectros on it are flaky.

As to the Flukes... awesome, great, solid, accurate and whatever other buzzword you can add. I really like the Ultrasonic communication feature on my older Fluke. I have four of them, a 87, a 87V, a 33 clamp on and a digital scope (forget the model number on the scope).

You are safe buying any Fluke product. As to the cheaper meters on the market... well I really feel you get what you pay for.

The Triplett 310 was a portable meter used mainly by telephone installers.It had a relatively high sensing voltage used for measuring ohms.The advantage over a digital one was that it could detect wet-grounds where a digital would not.The very low sensing voltage of the digital meter would not ionize the water enough to read a ground.The digital meter would read a clean circuit, but dial tone voltage (52 volts) would ground out.

Analog meters still have their niche, and it is good to have both if possible.The high input impedance of the digital meter makes it great for solid state circuitry, and they are much more rugged than the old analog ones.

Hey Guys,

How about an old RCA analog.

I inherited one. Can't remember the model, but the needle is about 8 inches long.

Really nice on a bench, but weighs a ton. And it's got tubes in it. and was still working last time I used it.

(good for retired professionals who can't see very well any more).

all the best

Jens

Yes... thanks for reminding me. I have one as well. Though it is in storage. It was also rock steady, though of no use for anything other then pure bench work.

Don't get me wrong, Fluke makes a fine rugged instrument I use one of these every day:

http://www.newark.com/57K9818/test-measurement-equipment/product.us0?sku=FLUKE-FLUKE-199C-003S-CALIBRATED

And you can get into a basic Fluke for under $100:

http://www.newark.com/84C9396/test-measurement-equipment/product.us0?sku=FLUKE-33XR

However, I just purchased one of these for each man in my department:

http://www.newark.com/26K9253/test-measurement-equipment/product.us0?sku=EXTECH-INSTRUMENTS-EX470

All the bells and whistles, plus accepts a type K thermocouple, and has a built in infrared thermometer, with Lazar. This is good to find hot components in a circuit with out touching. Fluke does have competition.

Fluke is one of the toughest meters I have ever owned.I found one that had fallen form the back of a truck, and it was run over by several vehicles before I could get to it.It was scuffed, but still worked perfectly.I dropped an old 8020 Fuke from 25 feet onto a concrete floor, and it bounced a couple of times.It worked perfectly with no ill effects except minor scratches on the case.I have dropped my model 27 into a vat of brake fluid, a dye vat, and even accidentally applied it across 240 Vac while in current measuring mode. It tripped a 100 amp main breaker, and blew the internal KTK 10 fuse.(This meter is rated as intrinsically safe for explosive methane atmosphere, so it is totally o-ring sealed.)

I replaced the fuse, expecting the worst, but it worked fine afterwards.

No problems, except a blob of molten copper on the leads.

You can find a cheaper meter, but not a tougher one.

Fluke has my undying gratitude for making a meter that is immune to fumble-fingered klutzs, absent minded clowns, and sometimes careless idiots.

And I thought I was hard on a meter!!

I am willing to bet that we have sold you on Fluke. It is a professional grade meter at a reasonable price, and I don't have one. What I have currently is a radio shack meter. But when I got it, I needed it THEN and didn't have the time to hunt for a meter, have it shipped, etc. I also vote for Fluke.

Regarding the breadboard, I would look at Digikey. www.digikey.com These come in many various sizes, with prices varying according to size. They work great for _small circuits, but for anything larger than 4 or 5 ICs they can get to be a pain... with interconnect wires sneaking out when you are adding to it. Also don't forget 24 gauge solid wire for interconnects.

Here on CR4, we will NOT do your homework for you. You do not learn anything that way, but we are more than willing to help. It would not surprise me if between all of us we have 1000 years of experience. I personally got into electronics about 51 years ago, with a ham radio license at age 10. You will also find out that occasionally we get a little silly... sometimes down right hilarious!! Also, we are located all over the world. So come back soon.

Best of luck in your studies

Bill

After reading the replies of members of CR4 I am pretty much inclined to buying a Fluke multimeter.

"Here on CR4, we will NOT do your homework for you. You do not learn anything that way, but we are more than willing to help." - Got it. I am glad I found this forum; have been looking all over the web for this type of forum.

Thank you!

Thomas

I have to add in my post #28

1. Fluke have a wide range of Accessories to extend the measurements of A/V & R in addition to Accessories / Addition for Test-Lead Sets.

2. Handy DMMs like 4x & 7x; True-RMS DMMs & more ...

3. They released a DMM-cum-Scope also as for as I remember in 1990s.

now it may have a lot more & better.

I have been working on their "Cal-System" but it was then only for their Models only. May be extended for new & General DMMs.

Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread! I finally found the forum I have been looking for for years.

Thanks CR4 members!