Exhaustive list of Multimeter uses

[moufflon]

Hello

I be a learner sparky down 'ere in Somerset and this question has been bugging me all evening. A chap on my course (2330) showed me his swanky new Fluke.
I can't really see the point in having one at all.

Thanks,

Dave.

 

[Guest123]

Hey there.

A good multimeter is an invaluable piece of kit, particularly when it comes to fault finding.

 

[moufflon]

Hello Lennytheloon,

would I not be better off using the following:

A stand alone voltage indicator
An r1 andr2 box for sockets
A low resistance Ohm meter

Can I use a multimeter to realistically do voltage and resistance testing on domestic installations?
If so then they sound great.

 

[Guest123]

Hey.

Bit confused now... by multimeter do you mean multifunction tester??

A multimeter is a lot cheaper than a multifunction tester as it doesn't do as much. A multimeter will measure voltage and continuity whereas a multifunction tester tests the whole installation - insulation resistance, Zs, PSC, continuity, RCD trip times.

You would have a multimeter in your tool box for basic checking of voltage & continuity.

Cheers.

 

[moufflon]

Sorry - I did mean one of the little ones not a multifunction tester.

Would you check mains voltage with a multimeter?

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[jules]

i wouldnt test my patience on a cheap multimeter

 

[moufflon]

I think it cost him over £100 !

 

[jules]

it will be ok for mains testing but some places dont like it for mains testing and insist upon standalone voltage testers like you said ie martingdales but not them ****** glowing screwdrivers lol

 

[EPM]

I have used my multimeter extensiveley for testing of control systems where the voltage and outputs ranges are low and a normal voltage tester does not give you the desired acuracy - but i have never really found it useful in domestic work unless I am fault finding alarm or electric gate systems etc.

hope this helps.

 

[moufflon]

Thanks for your thoughts on this chaps.

Appreciate it

 

[desertbootz]

Awroight moi lover! Always found a multi-meter invaluable for fault-finding, specially if yr doing controls or PCB work. Not so sure for residential stuff 'cos never done much. Some of them gert biguns have stuff you might never use but then again you never know when you want to measure freq, temp, test a diode, etc.

 

[eskimo39]

would I not be better off using the following:

A stand alone voltage indicator
An r1 andr2 box for sockets
A low resistance Ohm meter

Can I use a multimeter to realistically do voltage and resistance testing on domestic installations?
If so then they sound great.

From reading your post, it sounds like your friend has bought a Fluke Multimeter which can also be used for Micro-Electronics etc. It would normally look like this:

I found these have far too many functions than i will ever need. A great purchase for basic testing is on of these:

This will give you voltage in either AC/DC and also has continuity. It is a valuable tool to use before commmencinig work to make sure the supply is safely isolated.
For colledge you will also need to use one of these but also test your tester on a proving meter before and after checking supply voltages.


I use a Fluke T3 voltage indicator for checking voltages whilst doing second fix etc and a Megger MFT1552 for Zs, Ze, R1 + R2, RCD etc for completing certificates on installations.

Hope this helps

 

[moufflon]

Eskimo39 - that is exactly what he's got.

Thanks for your other information too.

Thanks for your thoughts desertbootz and nice French/Wiltshire accent!!!