Cheap but useful Multimeter

[Danni BurnsParticipant @danniburns84841]

Hello

I am seeking your advice, please.

I admit that I am ignorant re. electronics, and today I needed to test a motor which I couldnt do.

Anyway, I would like to buy a cheap but not useless Multimeter – so I can start to learn about these things.

Can anyone suggest a useful & cheap Multimeter?

thanks in advance

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

This one from Farnell is very similar to my basic “don’t care if I break it” instrument, which cost me much more than £4 twenty years ago!

Digital multi-meters are an example of a technology that’s become extraordinarily cheap.  Once the development cost of the chip was  covered, there’s very little inside.

Digital meters are easy to read, but take time to settle, which is why I also own a couple of analogue needle meters including a venerable Avo:  often as not seeing the needle kick is enough.

Possible to spend a lot of money on meters, but for getting started hard to beat £4, and go up market if needed later.

Or if money is no object, this inexpensive meter is yours for only £710!

Dave

 

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Hard to answer easily, particularly without defining “cheap”
Personally I have too many workshops and vehicles, and thus several meters.
Among them, an old AVO Mk7, and a couple of other moving needle meters, including ones for less than £5; all work OK, and I sometimes prefer an analogue meter.
Digital meters, I’ve a decent Fluke, Robin, and an old ex BT one, as well as a couple of Lidl/Parkside offerings.

Value for money, the Lidl one I keep in the Disco is probably the best; I guess about £10, and plenty accurate enough for most jobs.
N.B. I have seen a video warning that one of the Parkside meters shows 240V OK, but failed to register/display 1KV
Doesn’t bother me too much, as it’s for car, not high voltage use; one thing I’ve always been taught, test the test gear before relying on the readings.
i.e. Before checking if a tag is 240v live, I always check another one which I know is live.

As well as the meter, it also proves you’ve plugged the test leads in properly, and the wires are unbroken.
Cheap meters do tend to have less overload protection; 10A fast blow fuses often fitted to high end meters are expensive, and larger than conventional sized ones.

When my AC/DC clamp meter died last year, I looked at getting it repaired, as I wanted something to measure heavy DC amperages for automotive use.
I ended up with one of these, which, at the time, was £40 off eBay from a UK based seller.
It works well, if I had all my meters stolen, and needed a single replacement for general use, I’d likely look to get another one or equivalent; my only real complaint is the lack of provision for a croc clip on the test probe(s)

Bill

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