Best multimeter

[Jframpey]

Well, got what I paid for... I bought a Chinese $30 multi meter and a $45 clamp meter several years ago.the clamp meter worked 3 times! But I haven’t needed one til now. I dropped the multimeter yesterday - oops - 18 inches!!! It’s DRT (dead right there).

I’ve looked thru some past topics and find Fluke is everyone’s choice. I looked on amazon - and found a Fluke 117 multimeter and 323 clamp meter bundled. $235.

One question - the clamp meter only says it measures AC amps... I would like to be able to measure DC also... is it even possible to measure DC current using a clamp meter?

Should I get this set of meters? I’ll use it primarily for electrician type stuff and 12 volt RV.

[LittleBill]

as accurate as my fluke, does EVERYTHING inrush ac/dc amperage, can even get the model that does logging via usb, only con is a bit large and the buttons are a touch slow. great meter, covers everything for me.

clicky

[filrupmark]

I work machine shop maintenance and use Fluke. It is electricity your working with so get something decent and not cheap junk.
Years ago I was checking some fuses on a lathe . Next I was going to check 480 3 phase voltage and forgot to change setting on my meter back to VAC and BOOM goes the cheap Realistic meter. Not much left of the meter. Fluke won't explode like that.

[tenbear]

I have a Sears clamp-on AC DC ammeter and it works perfectly. It was not very expensive, but I have had it several years and it has probably gone up in price. It does tell you the direction of the DC current flow.

I also have several $5 to $10 multimeters, all bought on eBay. All work just fine and are very close to each other in voltage measurement.

I don't see any reason to spend a lot of $$ for meters for RV maintenance.

[Boon_Docker]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
I bought a Uni-T UT210E. Uni-T make several different models. Far from the best, but not the cheapest either !



Review

That is the one I have, excellent and accurate meter.

[mike-s]

Yes, a Fluke is better in almost every way except price. It will be more rugged, have a real 600V/CatIII rating (and the $6 fuse which goes with it). But, unless you're using it on a day-in, day-out basis, it's probably overkill. A Fluke DC clamp meter is going to cost you $250+.

Other than the bottom-of-the-barrel $7 (sometimes free!) Harbor Freight ones, I haven't had any real issues with Chinese meters for non-critical use. Nothing like the bad luck you seem to have had with them.

I've got a Fluke 87 at home, but keep one of these cheap DC clamp meters in the trailer. Works fine for simple automotive/RV stuff. A cheap meter kept in the camper is better than an expensive one left at home.

[T18skyguy]

I have an Extech AC/DC clamp meter that works very well. It's kind of a large uni,t but I only use it every so often. Also a Fluke 77 that goes back decades that I treasure. I have a dedicated off brand unit for the rig.

[theoldwizard1]

I bought a Uni-T UT210E. Uni-T make several different models. Far from the best, but not the cheapest either !



Review

[Dick_B]

I also like one that measures continuity and has a loud enough beep that even I can hear it.

[Sam_Spade]

Matt_Colie wrote:

The number of times any normal RVer will need it in any lifetime does not justify the cost.

How true. But that applies to a LOT of things that RV "enthusiasts" seem to think they HAVE TO HAVE. :B

I can buy 20 of the little $10 meters before the cost adds up to what a high end Fluke will cost. And the $200 ones break if you drop them too.

To each his own; sometimes logic and reason doesn't win out.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Open up a Fluke DMM and look at the circuit board. Then compare it to the bargain basement chew & spit meters. Verify accuracy of a clamp-on by taking direct millivolt readings across a Manganin shunt. A clamp on that measures and holds AC inrush is useful.

[sneakygroundbuz]

as an auto tech for most of my adult life i sued a multi meter on a daily basis

i have a blue point meter(the lower end snap on brand but still high quality with out the bigger price tag)

i worked with guys who used the snap on name brand and fluke name brand meters

there are no differences between theirs and mine,they all looked the same and had all the same functions and all worked equally well,mine just wasnt expensive.

mine also came with more leads and probes than theirs did.

it has a really nice dc inductive amp lead,used it many times and it works well to this day(my meter is about 20 years old)

you do get what you pay for,especially when it comes to anything electronic

if its something you are going to use every day to make a living with,then i have no issues with buying the high end stuff. but if its something you are only going to use a few times a year then i dont see a need to spend that kind of money when there are less expensive versions that will work for the occaisonal user.

just like SNAP ON tools vs CRAFTSMAN tools.
yes they will both get the job done,but if your going to be using them every day and using them hard to make a living,then paying more for something that wont need to be replaced is well worth it.

[DrewE]

Flukes are good, but as others have said they aren't the only decent multimeters, and they're rather proud of them oftentimes.

I have a Fluke 73 series II that I got somewhere around a quarter century ago. It still works well and is plenty accurate (so far as I can tell). One nice feature it has, and I assume the newer Flukes also do, is that it can withstand up to 300V applied when measuring resistance, while many lesser meters will let out the magic smoke long before then. I inadvertently tested this once, and it behaved exactly as advertised.

[KD4UPL]

I've been a professional electrician for 25 years. I've used Micronta (Radio Shack), Greenlee, AmpProbe, Ideal, Kelein, Southwire, and Fluke. Fluke is by far the best. Most accurate, easiest to use, quickest response, etc.
There are DC clamp amp meters but not all clamps measure DC, you have to look at the specs carefully. Right now, for a decent DC amp clamp Lowes sells a Southwire brand for about $100. A few guys I work with have them and seem to like them.

[Matt_Colie]

Before we get very far, there is a very simple answer:
Fluke 323 ~ 110$us Will not measure DC with the clamp
Fluke 325 ~ 280$us Will measure DC with the clamp

It is possible to do a DC clamp current measurement (DUH) but it is and has always been expensive to do with any precision.

The number of times any normal RVer will need it in any lifetime does not justify the cost.

Matt - has an original 77s, an 87 and a Bell/Fluke current probe all purchased when they were deductible.

[boogie_4wheel]

Take a look at Extech... They are on the same level as Fluke in my opinion.

I personally have the Extech EX730. This is a meter that will do the 'normal' stuff, plus has a built in clamp that will read up to 800A AC or DC. It will record peak values (perfect for measuring inrush current). It also has a probe for measuring temperature (if you so desire). Back-lit display. Little soft belt-clip carrying case.

I've had that meter for about 11yrs now. I packed that meter all over the US on commissioning jobs in the mining industry (Electrical & Control Systems Engineer). I used it for motor testing, on UPS battery banks, simple troubleshooting, ect. A great product in my opinion. The only downside (on this meter anyway) is that it must be manually switched from AC to read DC, but that holds true with most meters anyway.

Found my model on Amazon for $131.

Take a look at their other meters as well. They have numerous multi-function units with built in clamps, as well as separate clamps. Find whatever you think would work best for you.

I'm not knocking Fluke, I have two on my work truck (787 and 175), and have had my hands on everything from the simple T5 to 744 calibrator to 123 scope meters. I just glanced at the Fluke website, a similarly optioned 325 is about $260, and a similar priced 362 doesn't have the same abilities (but you may find it good enough). I'm sure there are other models out there, so don't hold me to just those...