PCA Forums

what do you all use?

I buy whatever digital multimeter home depot has as long as it has the features I need.

Since this is up my ally (calibration profession), Fluke makes the best meters, but they are typically more expensive. It really depends on what you are trying measure (i.g. how accurate do you want your reading).

i have an old micronta meter had it for 15 yrs. got it at radio shack.

I like Flukes myself but for your average person around the house, I'd get something at Home Depot or Amazon.

I tend to be pretty hard on multimeters, so I usually pick up the $6 specials at Harbor Freight. I had a nice Fluke multimeter at one point, but I blew it to hell accidentally. Don't ask me how.

GuardianAsher wrote:I tend to be pretty hard on multimeters, so I usually pick up the $6 specials at Harbor Freight. I had a nice Fluke multimeter at one point, but I blew it to hell accidentally. Don't ask me how.

That would be pretty hard to do unless the selector was in the wrong position for checking AC voltage.

A common error is that after using one to check amps, where the leads are switched, one often forgets to switch them back before checking voltage and then a large, often costly fuse blows. I've found them online for less as the tool guys charge too much for them.

There are currently good alternatives to Fluke, but if it's a career, Fluke is the way to go.