Can someone recommend a good true RMS multimeter that has frequency measuring capability?

5030 · Feb 28, 2023

One that won't break the bank? I like the Fluke but it's almost 300 bucks. Find that to be a bit excessive and it don't come with the necessary measurement leads.

Joel/ak · Feb 28, 2023

Wish I could. I was lucky and my brother gave me a fluke 189. Blows my blue point out of the water.

RustyA · Feb 28, 2023

DM1010 Professional Commercial and Residential Multimeter

Amazing deals on this Dm1010 Pro Industrial Ac/Dc V Dmm at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I have this one, nice tool for the money.

Mendonsy · Feb 28, 2023

It all depends on how accurate you need it to be. Klein tools and Greenlee have some models that are less expensive than Fluke. Amazon has some inexpensive AstroAl models that are supposed to be fairly good.

LittleBill21 · Feb 28, 2023

the astro ai are pretty accurate i use the 5000 series, and it holds right there with fluke. people need to stop acting like the normal home owner needs a fluke. i have like 15 meters, they are like within 3% of whatever the fluke reads

camshawn · Feb 28, 2023

Just remember, you are bringing The line voltage into the meter. Cheap is not better when we are talking about your life. Make sure whatever you choose, it is rated by a reputable certification organization for the voltage and energy that you are going to measure. For home use, Cat 3 600volt is good. I only use cat 4 meters for everything except automotive. Cam

Fuddyduddy1952 · Mar 1, 2023

Frequency measurement. Is that for 60hz or what would that be used for?

workinonit · Mar 1, 2023

My work is voltage regulator installation and commissioning on large generators. I use meters like most people drive cars. I think I own 10 Fluke 187 or 189 meters. I've had all different models of Fluke but I like the 18x models the very best and they aren't made anymore. I buy mine off of Ebay or the like. They are a bit pricey but you get what you pay for. Everything I own is Fluke except my phase rotation meters. I have a Fluke 751 calibrator and 299C O'scope. Most meters will do frequency measurement as a function of voltage.

LouNY · Mar 1, 2023

Since I've retired and my last Fluke met an untimely death from some rotating equipment my current meters one is a Klein
and the other is an Extech both are True RMS with frequency measurement and they both work well.

5030 · Mar 1, 2023

I believe I'm gonna go with the Ames (HF) auto range meter. 99 bucks. I have a Fluke clamp meter already and it wasn't a cheap date.

What I found interesting is, other than Fluke (where they don't say where made) all the others are made across the pond.

I need it for my genny as it's running a bit over cps. Need to dial it down a tad.

Besides the HF gets me HF bucks on my HF credit card and I've had excellent results (so far) from the high end HF tools (Icon, Chief, Hercules) at about 1/2 the cost of the other brands.

5030 · Mar 1, 2023

LouNY said:
Since I've retired and my last Fluke met an untimely death from some rotating equipment my current meters one is a Klein
and the other is an Extech both are True RMS with frequency measurement and they both work well.

Both are made across the pond Lou. Did some research yesterday on all of the, I own a Fluke clamp meter but it won't do freq measurement sadly and it wasn't a cheap date back when I bought it years ago.

Need it for the genny. She's running a bit north of 60 cps. Like you I'm retired as well so money spent has become more important to me.

LouNY · Mar 1, 2023

Just to satisfy myself I have a Kill A Watt meter that I usually plug into a kitchen receptacle when I'm on the generator.

5030 · Mar 1, 2023

LouNY said:
Just to satisfy myself I have a Kill A Watt meter that I usually plug into a kitchen receptacle when I'm on the generator.

Something I need to buy that I don't have Lou.

LittleBill21 · Mar 1, 2023

camshawn said:
Just remember, you are bringing The line voltage into the meter. Cheap is not better when we are talking about your life. Make sure whatever you choose, it is rated by a reputable certification organization for the voltage and energy that you are going to measure. For home use, Cat 3 600volt is good. I only use cat 4 meters for everything except automotive. Cam

can you please provide at least a couple examples of people getting electricuted? I even used the HF freebie's on a 220v line with no issue, and I can guarantee more people have those meters then flukes,and I'm not reading any stories of people getting fried.

5030 · Mar 1, 2023

LittleBill21 said:
can you please provide at least a couple examples of people getting electricuted? I even used the HF freebie's on a 220v line with no issue, and I can guarantee more people have those meters then flukes,and I'm not reading any stories of people getting fried.

The Ames is CAT III btw. Keep in mind that it only takes 4 milliamps across your heart to kill you. Coronary Thrombosis occurs and it's all over with. Don't know personally of anyone getting electrocuted but then I do know what it takes for you to become deceased....

That 'electric chair' stuff is bunko, waste of amperage. All the executioner needs to do is apply 5Ma across each arm and it's lights out.

Just ordered it direct from HF, saves me a trip (35 miles) to the nearest HF store plus I get 5% in HF bucks for using my HF credit card. 6 bucks to ship it and of course sales tax but I'd pay that at the store as well.

It comes with a case, themocouple and freq probes too.

LittleBill21 · Mar 1, 2023

5030 said:
The Ames is CAT III btw. Keep in mind that it only takes 4 milliamps across your heart to kill you. Coronary Thrombosis occurs and it's all over with. Don't know personally of anyone getting electrocuted but then I do know what it takes for you to become deceased....

T

yea so is their freebee.

you would be better off with this. Covers way more and is cheaper. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0753FY71...dbf5af95f44f9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

5030 · Mar 1, 2023

Already own a Fluke clamp meter and it to is CatIII. I prefer not dealing with Amazon if I can help it. Not fond of Bezos at all. Done deal anyway. On order.

kenmbz · Mar 1, 2023

5030 said:
The Ames is CAT III btw. Keep in mind that it only takes 4 milliamps across your heart to kill you. Coronary Thrombosis occurs and it's all over with. Don't know personally of anyone getting electrocuted but then I do know what it takes for you to become deceased....

That 'electric chair' stuff is bunko, waste of amperage. All the executioner needs to do is apply 5Ma across each arm and it's lights out.

Just ordered it direct from HF, saves me a trip (35 miles) to the nearest HF store plus I get 5% in HF bucks for using my HF credit card. 6 bucks to ship it and of course sales tax but I'd pay that at the store as well.

It comes with a case, themocouple and freq probes too.

I must have died many times then

I used to work high voltage low current and have had 1-10KV at 5-100ma through me.
Still not fun though...

strantor · Mar 1, 2023

5030 said:
it only takes 4 milliamps across your heart to kill you. [...] All the executioner needs to do is apply 5Ma across each arm and it's lights out.

If the executioner wanted to kill someone with only 5mA (weird goal, but whatever) he would need to stab probes into the condemned's chest and apply it directly to the heart. 5mA from arm to arm does not translate to 5mA across the heart.

Fuddyduddy1952 · Mar 1, 2023

You haven't lived until having both hands on over 30kV (hv meter was pegged at 30kV), from both hands to my junk!

Shame we're not closer, I have Tektronics & B&K scopes and Leader frequency counter to check & adjust it. No need to buy.
I know a meter is on order but I'd recommend Fluke also.