Multimeter malfunction

   / Multimeter malfunction #11  
I agree that if its fried, get a new one.

But check the obvious first.....dont know your particular meter, but on mine it isnt auto-ranging. So the range has to be correct, as well as having it on AC instead of DC. Plus, my meters have more than 1 port to plug in the red lead. So if you are sure everything is set correct, and its still acting wonkey.....toss it and get a new one
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #12  
If I had to guess, I would suggest a diode that rectifies the AC voltage has failed open. But finding it without a schematic and a parts layout could be a problem. Might be easier unless you are good at troubleshooting to put it in the "round file" and get yourself a new one. I would make an attempt to fix it, but that is just me..:)

Many multimeters today use a single chip and maybe a few popcorn parts in addition to whatever switching and the test lead sockets of course. The rest is the display LCD and the plastic case. Not really much to them anymore which is why they are so much cheaper than in days of old. A good silicon fab can knock out an entire year's worth of DMM market demand in a single afternoon and have some left over to start off the next year.
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #13  
Many multimeters today use a single chip and maybe a few popcorn parts in addition to whatever switching and the test lead sockets of course. The rest is the display LCD and the plastic case. Not really much to them anymore which is why they are so much cheaper than in days of old. A good silicon fab can knock out an entire year's worth of DMM market demand in a single afternoon and have some left over to start off the next year.

Yep, pretty much a "disposable item" nowadays.
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #14  
Don't forget to check the battery. Not sure what all it controls on your model. Maybe just the LCD and has nothing to do with the actual readings on your model. But at least worth a look before tossing it.

Of course to test the battery you need a multi-meter! hahahaha
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #15  
Don't forget to check the battery. Not sure what all it controls on your model. Maybe just the LCD and has nothing to do with the actual readings on your model. But at least worth a look before tossing it.

Of course to test the battery you need a multi-meter! hahahaha

It is kind of like what good is one multimeter? A man should have a few!:thumbsup:
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #16  
I have a few of the harbor freight ones. I find the exact same 110 /220 v readings with the harbor freight ones as I do with my expensive fluke
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #17  
Nothing wrong with a cheap meter if all you are doing is checking 110/220v and automotive 12v stuff.

Expensive meters have there place though. A few examples....

1. Trusting it to check exact battery voltages. Some cheap meters aren't sensitive or accurate enough to tell the difference between 12.1v and 12.7v. one is a dead battery, the other will have no issues starting your car.

2. Testing resistance in the kilo-ohms or Mega-ohms range.

3. Trusting my life to it measuring 480v+ circuits. I have some relatively inexpensive meters at home for working onmmy house or autos. But at work, I trust my fluke 337
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #18  
+1 on fluke, quality stuff but you'll pay for it. Ive got a couple and found ExTech is a nice mix of quality and price.

I only play with the low voltage stuff but would love an excuse to get a proper clamp meter.
 
   / Multimeter malfunction
  • Thread Starter
#19  
Thanks all for the advice. It's pretty much what I expected, but sometimes one gets lucky with an easy fix. :laughing: It's going into the battery drawer and I'll find a new one after the holidays.
Greetings to all.
Steve IA
 
   / Multimeter malfunction #20  
When you set about looking for a new meter, an 'Auto-off' feature to save the battery is one of my important criteria. I've got a couple Extech's I got from Amazon that have seemed pretty good.
 

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