PcTek9
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 89
- Location
- Mobile, AL
I use the fluke 87, it has ac/dc autoranging, resistance in ohms, frequency in hz, capacitance in microfarads, uhmmm, it has a hold button, continuity checking with audible tone, it's back lit, it has a high level of calibration for accuracy, it's great for electronics.
For checking amperages i use a clip on fluke 30, for appliances i use a small splitter with the fluke 30.
As far as ripple checks, i have some scopes a fluke lcd, a tektronix, and a velleman.
I highly recommend the fluke, b/c if you ever stick the velleman on 120vac you ruin it, as it's maximum input is oddly around 100volts peak 2 peak.
is there a diff? i understand flukes big thing is accuracy and durability. it's the defacto standard for electricians and engineers (unless they are so ancient they still rely on a wiggy).
$6 dollar cheapy? well it's about features.
you need to at least do yourself the favor of getting a $20 dollar autoranging one. If you get one of those with a bunch of little holes all in it where you have to 'guess' and pick the range for volts, amps, ohms, etc, it can be a real hassle, not to mention accidentally frying it and you.
meters all have pro's and cons. with the meter/needle type you dont know if the circuit has power or not if the needle doesnt move (bc the meter could be bad). On the other, digital multimeters tend to have such an impedance that they will sometimes read ghost voltages (induced emf) in a wire burned all the way through.
Just think features. some meters have capacitance, some dont, some have inductance, some dont, some measure siemens, some dont, some measure hz, some dont... it's all in what you need and want in the features.
For checking amperages i use a clip on fluke 30, for appliances i use a small splitter with the fluke 30.
As far as ripple checks, i have some scopes a fluke lcd, a tektronix, and a velleman.
I highly recommend the fluke, b/c if you ever stick the velleman on 120vac you ruin it, as it's maximum input is oddly around 100volts peak 2 peak.
is there a diff? i understand flukes big thing is accuracy and durability. it's the defacto standard for electricians and engineers (unless they are so ancient they still rely on a wiggy).
$6 dollar cheapy? well it's about features.
you need to at least do yourself the favor of getting a $20 dollar autoranging one. If you get one of those with a bunch of little holes all in it where you have to 'guess' and pick the range for volts, amps, ohms, etc, it can be a real hassle, not to mention accidentally frying it and you.
meters all have pro's and cons. with the meter/needle type you dont know if the circuit has power or not if the needle doesnt move (bc the meter could be bad). On the other, digital multimeters tend to have such an impedance that they will sometimes read ghost voltages (induced emf) in a wire burned all the way through.
Just think features. some meters have capacitance, some dont, some have inductance, some dont, some measure siemens, some dont, some measure hz, some dont... it's all in what you need and want in the features.
