Multimeters

Iddy · Oct 21, 2011

Hi

Hope everyone is well. I just need some advice / recommendation as to which multimeter would be a Good buy?

I would probably end up using it for the basic stuff so nothing too expensive.

Thanks

trev · Oct 21, 2011

Depends what you mean by multimeter mate. Do you mean one of those little yellow clarke things that Argos sell or a multifunction installation tested?
Also, what do you mean by using it for the basic stuff?

pmac10 · Oct 21, 2011

Iddy, i'll assume that by multimeter, you mean a multimeter, so here you go,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapitest-Dm-25-Digital-MultimETer/dp/B0001P0JZK

these are good for basic stuff, in fact they're good all round.

by the way, you'd be surprised the amount of threads i've seen from people looking for advice on multimeters, only to be bombarded with facts and gripes about all manor of multi-function testers.

Guest123 · Oct 23, 2011

The fluke 77 range is v.good.

Deleted member 26818 · Oct 23, 2011

I believe it is recomended that a multimeter for use on electrical installations should be able to produce a 200mA test current.

pmac10 · Oct 23, 2011

Lenny said:
The fluke 77 range is v.good.

agreed,
not what i'd recommend for the basics though.

High Tower · Oct 23, 2011

For a multimeter go for the Fluke 117, top meter with a built in volt stick.

For a every day site based volt meter, clamp and contanuity tester then the fluke-T5

oldtimer · Oct 23, 2011

I have had 2 Fluke 71 (I think) for the past 20 years because where I worked at the time guys were ----ing them behind racks because they would get the latest model Fluke as a replacement they are also in their rubber holsters so get yourself a mid range mid cost tester with a rubber holster because when you drop it and you will you can use it again instead of picking up 100 bits off the floor

Engineer54 · Oct 23, 2011

I've always been of the opinion that you buy the best equipment you can reasonably afford. Buying the best budget equipment from a well known brand such as Fluke, Megger, Metrel, Chauvin Arnoux, etc, you tend to buy once, ...not half a dozen times on crap that lasts 5 minutes. Proven well known brands will last you literary years, when looked after.

I still have test equipment that i purchased 30 odd years ago, including a AVO MK8, wind-up megger, even a VOELB test kit to name but a few. Quality lasts the test of time.

Iddy · Oct 23, 2011

Hi

Sorry for the delay in reply i think the email notification has stopped working for now. Thank you very much for the different information and advice. I will try to buy one that is reasonable make. Thanks once again

Inteificio · Oct 24, 2011

I would not spend your money on something mid-range. You either need a full bells and whistles multifunction tester, or something cheap.

I got screwfix's £7 clamp meter and think it is great. Does a lot more than the £30 one mentioned above.

Only get something expensive if you are going for regs compliance. If the device is not regs compliant every penny spent is a penny wasted.
Eventually you will need a full on multi-hundred pound tester, but even though I have one I use my £7 one most.

I use the big one for final paperwork, the £7 one covers everything else and is faster to use.

oldtimer · Oct 24, 2011

Peter Scowcroft said:
I would not spend your money on something mid-range. You either need a full bells and whistles multifunction tester, or something cheap.

I got screwfix's £7 clamp meter and think it is great. Does a lot more than the £30 one mentioned above.

Only get something expensive if you are going for regs compliance. If the device is not regs compliant every penny spent is a penny wasted.
Eventually you will need a full on multi-hundred pound tester, but even though I have one I use my £7 one most.

I use the big one for final paperwork, the £7 one covers everything else and is faster to use.

Good advice my 30 year old AVO clamp meter gave up the ghost so I fretted over a replacement and apent £55 bucks on an ISO then went down to screwfix and seen the one at £7 a very good deal but I resisted to buy it as it would have just been spare a rolling about the motor so I have a 1553 megger a trusty Fluke 71 (with rubber holster) that I use constantly an ISO clamp meter and a KT71 PAT tester and as I do fix faults and do repairs the fluke is the first tester I reach for. Although one last point I hear a lot about quality lasts and I would agree with this but the most important thing is your approuch to your tools and testers in other words as Trigger would say "Look after your broom"