Multimeter? Does anyone use them?

Last night was my first night of class. I am currently in trade school to be a low voltage electrician. This class requires a multimeter so we can check currnt draw and voltage drop on devices. Does anyone have a certain brand or recommend a brand that they enjoyed using? I am thinking about going to Platt wear house to buy a Fluke...

 

I usually buy a cheapie.

But if you're going to trade school to make this a tool of your profession, you'll want a better one. I'd recommend holding off till the first day of class, and asking the instructor for their recommendation.

 

x2!

 

I agree that asking the instructor for a suggestion is a good idea. I use something that's fairly inexpensive for my speaker testing needs. If you're taking an electrician class and it will be a profession you need a 'Fluke'. All the serious guys use those to my knowledge.

 

For your profession, buy FLUKE, no questions. Best meter on the market (unless you are a hard core electro-physicist)

 

Personally I use a Fluke Scope multimeter. They have everything you will ever need, measure frequency, voltage and amps (multiple range), ohms, continuity, and various other component test.
Depending on the class though, you may be able to get by with a little 5 dollar one from auto zone and save up for the good one .
PS good luck on your class.

 

for my hobbyist needs, i just got a $50 radioshack one from my parents for christmas. but like others have said: if it's your profession -- fluke.

 

Fluke is the way to go no doubt. Had a co-worker try to measure voltage when my Fluke meter was in current mode, blew out both fuses.......I don't have the exact numbers, ratings or cost at the moment, but I ended up paying around $70 for both fuses. Anyone know of a cheaper source?
Thanks

 

FLUKE..... Only thing I Use..have these 5 at work. My personal one at home I have had for over 10 years. Spend the money once and you will have it for life.

PM me.

 

Platt is a wholesale store so they may not sell to you. I was able to buy from them when I went in to get fuses for work but there was a $50 cash minimum. Don't know if their policy has changed. Home Depot or Lowe's would have what you need.

 

Extech FTW!

 

I'm an Electrical Engineer by profession and did my time as a Journeyman electrician as well. DO NOT skimp on your meter. Fluke is the defacto standard and I use them everywhere, but there are other options. One thing to be sure to check is "TRUE RMS". the El Cheapo ones are not TRUE RMS and will give you erroneous readings, especially when working with VFD circuits.

 

I think Fluke is the best. Don't buy a Craftsman for your trade. I bought one for auto mechanics and it's not that great. I'm not in that trade anymore though.

 

Flukes are great and pricey.

I like the Craftsman ones as well. They are True RMS, high quality, and significantly cheaper(~$50).

I use both at home. But if I did this for a profession, I would definately get a Fluke

 

Working for NorthWestern Energy during the summer I used a Fluke, its the best IMO. It got dropped in puddles, on rocks, even kinda ran over by truck(silly linemen) and it was still working great.

 

I recently saw a quote where the guy said, "Buy quality tools. You'll only cry once."

 

Fluke is my favorite but ya cant go wrong with a Greenlee,an Ideal or even an Amprobe. I make sure to tell people to try and get one that is capable of high resistance,comes in handy when doing fire alarms. also having one that has a clamp-on ammeter on it is cats ass to. I always buy quality tools, when your working with them everyday ya want them to last.

 

Nice, I like that butt set. lol I think that is what it's called. Those snips you got are garbage. Why the heck are you using a cat5 strip tool, that is what your snips are used for buddy!

 

I need something cheap not too fancy. In the field I only use the multimeter once every couple months. lol


Fluke is expensive... I probably buy something that is cheap...