Multimeter malfunction

[k0ua]

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

I would not trust a Harbor freight on a 480v circuit either. It might be well enough insulated to protect the user, it might not be too. :shocked: I would hate to trust my life to a $4 meter. They are fine for other less demanding uses though.

 

[murphy1244]

I use a Fieldpiece HB-74 in the HVAC work. You need to know what scale to use and has fused inputs for oopsies. Also very drop proof as I have dropped this one 3 floors.

 

[kenmac]

I use a Fieldpiece HB-74 in the HVAC work. You need to know what scale to use and has fused inputs for oopsies. Also very drop proof as I have dropped this one 3 floors.

What's an oopsie ? Is that when you let the smoke out ?. Years ago I use to burn them up.
Used Fieldpiece and fluke when I was in the business. Field Peice has some nice add on features for HVAC. I don't have much use for them since I sold out. No way I would use the HF meter on the job, but for around the house is usually fine. I have them laying around in several places. If they get lost, stepped on, etc, it's no big deal

 

[murphy1244]

What's an oopsie ? Is that when you let the smoke out ?. Years ago I use to burn them up.
Used Fieldpiece and fluke when I was in the business. Field Peice has some nice add on features for HVAC. I don't have much use for them since I sold out. No way I would use the HF meter on the job, but for around the house is usually fine. I have them laying around in several places. If they get lost, stepped on, etc, it's no big deal

I just hate it when I let the smoke out. Fieldpiece makes one heck of a tester.

 

[dickfoster]

I just hate it when I let the smoke out. Fieldpiece makes one heck of a tester.

Very few people know that electronics stuff works on magic smoke and not that imaginary and invisible electron and subatomic mumbojumbo. The proof is that when the magic smoke gets out of whatever it is, it always quits working.

 

[murphy1244]

Very few people know that electronics stuff works on magic smoke and not that imaginary and invisible electron and subatomic mumbojumbo. The proof is that when the magic smoke gets out of whatever it is, it always quits working.

If it is a good meter the factory can put the smoke back in.

 

[Mendonsy]

If it is a good meter the factory can put the smoke back in.

There is also a DIY kit available.
AutomationPipeDreams

 

[murphy1244]

There is also a DIY kit available.
AutomationPipeDreams

:laughing: Thank you!!!! Just in time for Christmas!!!!!:cool2:

 

[k0ua]

I have needed that magic smoke re-injector/sealer many times.

You mess around with electronics enough, and you WILL let the magic smoke out..

 

[kenmac]

I have needed that magic smoke re-injector/sealer many times.

You mess around with electronics enough, and you WILL let the magic smoke out..

That's right. There's no feeling world, like the feeling you get you get when you release the smoke ! There have been times I wish I had the tool to re-inject the smoke back in... LOL