Multimeter Calibration?
What is the best way to check your voltmeter? Some years ago I ran into the problem where the meter read voltages too high when its battery was low. That took a while to discover since it happened...
Forum Discussion
Thermoguy wrote:
All meters, thermometers, etc have an accuracy rating. A good meter is +/- 1% or +/-2% of the reading. If you take 2 meters and read the same thing and both are accurate to +/- 2% you can now be off by as much as 4%, so best to not compare 2 meters. The best reading is one that is consistent, meaning if I am reading something and come back tomorrow to read the same measurement, it is within that accuracy rating.
Another point is that all of these meters, Fluke, anyone, are made in China. Better companies use the better manufacturers over there and have better QC. So, it makes sense to buy a better meter if you want better accuracy. A $25 meter is going to give you what you paid for, a cheap meter reading. You should buy a better meter. You can get a descent quality meter for less money than you think. Just search around for it. Stick with a company that makes meters and measuring devices and not some brand that has there label put on a Chinese POS.
This is a great Fluke meter used by lots of electricians at only $100...
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Electrical-Voltage-Continuity-Current/dp/B0006Z3GZU/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=fluke+multimeter&qid=1581182098&sr=8-5
There are other good manufacturers of meters that are comparable and probably a little less expensive.
The meter you linked to would be ok to test a pedestal, but not good for dc. We got them at work and I told them I don't even want one. I put it on 12 power supply, and it only gave the reading in volts. As in 11. I like to see hundredths of a volt at work. I do controls stuff, and when I am measuring 4-20 milliamps, it matters. That meter only does AC when measuring amps. I am not saying it is a bad choice, just be aware it is just very limited on DC stuff.
